We walked over 42 miles in a week exploring some of our country's history and other cool places along the way. My goal was small drive times and a variety of activities. Having the youngest be old enough to really travel is SO fun! I've been planning this trip for about a year and saved up points for hotels. We brought breakfast and lunch to save money as well. Backpack coolers and lots of picnics!
Our biggest drive was the first leg to Mt. Vernon- a little over 4 hours.
George Washington's house was beautiful. You can't take pictures inside, the majority of the home is original, including art and mirrors he bought. He came from a well-connected family with several farms and his success came largely from his hard work, not wealth handed down to him. After defeating the British, he handed all of his power over to Congress and went home. After his presidency he came back to Mt. Vernon again. He probably could have been king, but chose to be a part of a new and incredible government. I enjoyed learning more about him and his home.
His home is situated beautifully along the river. His back porch view is gorgeous.
Love how they all fit into a puzzle as they peek in the different rooms. There were multiple rooms featuring different parts of the farm, it was like a little world here- shoemaking, blacksmith, etc.
John was fascinated with those horns!
Washington's tomb was a place of reverence. So grateful for this man.
There is a museum there as well, and one part in particular was so cool. Everyone had their own station with a touch screen. The main movie played a clip about a decision President Washington was faced with, then on your own screen you had a certain timeframe to listen to a variety of advisers he had at the time. At the end everyone votes on what they would do and then the movie plays with what Washington chose and how critical it was to the nation. I loved this interactive part!
We made it that night to our hotel, a Holiday Inn that is two blocks south of the Air and Space Museum. Kids eat free at their restaurant which was a big deal for us! We could see the capitol from the roof. The big bummer was their rooftop pool, which was a source of much excitement, had a lifeguard-enforced limit of 15 kids and was always full. Of course that wasn't the point of the trip, but don't bring it up haha.
At our Christmas in July celebration a few weeks ago, we watched Elf. Thus we also got to see Michael on this trip reenact going around this ad nauseum. Plus hopping across crosswalks. Thankfully they only joked about pressing every floor on the elevators!
The gardens near the Smithsonian Castle used to have this cool flower that smelled like rotting flesh to attract prey, but we couldn't see it. The gardens are always beautiful.
We were out and about early and had a peaceful time walking to the different memorials.
The kids were thrilled to chase after pigeons. Of course, this was at the beginning of our 9+ mile day.
Diana wanted to take home every "cool" rock she could find. I thought we'd never make it to our next spot because she was constantly picking up gravel haha.
Jake's might power holding up the Washington Monument. They are also doing major construction at the base to improve the monument.
The White House!
WWII Memorial.
Reading plaques about the service given to our country by the armed forces was meaningful. Since the troops celebrated victory in the fountains of Europe, they have signs that it's okay to put your feet in this fountain, so the kids rested a bit while we talked about the war and the brave soldiers.
Lincoln Memorial.
We watched Night at the Museum 2 before this trip and I think the kids were secretly hoping Abraham would come to life! This was Jim's favorite part. I love the speech on the wall.
At the Korean War Memorial, a woman and man were taking turns at a microphone reading the names of the fallen. As we approached, the woman said a name, then added, with emotion, that this was her father. The moment was very heartfelt for everyone there.
We toured the Holocaust Museum, but didn't take pictures. There is a section for children called Daniel's Story and does a great job of helping younger children understand. After this important stop, we went paddle boating on the Tidal River Basin to see the MLK monument and Jefferson Memorial. Jim's boat was kind of wild. Diana managed to get halfway we despite her life jacket and not falling in. Mike's legs couldn't quite reach the pedals and this made it very tough!
I was lucky to have Nicole and between the two of us we kept John in the boat and even had Jake take a turn pedaling. Pedal boats are a fun break from walking and a great way to see those distant memorials.
Mike leap frogged every single column he could find. So much energy!
It was close to dinner but the kids still had energy for the Museum of Natural History and Smithsonian Castle (which had changed a ton since last time I came!)
Lots of huge jewels and minerals.
After church, we decided to go to Arlington. We'd planned on driving, but our weekend pass didn't allow in/out privileges. So we could pay 50+ bucks or walk what the gps said was 2 miles. We later realized that didn't include all the walking once we were there, so it made over 6 miles of prettymuch constant walking!
Finally at the gates.
The cemetery made quite an impression. Reading the names and ranks of the soldiers, talking about the different conflicts, and thinking about their sacrifice was so good for all of us.
At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, we were riveted. We'd discussed what it was beforehand so the kids understood. The dignity and intensity of the soldiers was incredible and moving.
We walked home as a storm blew in and made it just after rain began to fall in earnest.
Monday we started at the National Archives (the place I remember waiting for an eternity on other trips so we went here first!) Incredible to see those founding documents. We'd watched National Treasure and the kids recognized the different documents.
At the National Art Gallery, the kids were thrilled to see anything from Night at the Museum- the Thinker, Dancer, Cupid, etc.
It was incredible to see da Vinci, Van Gogh, Picasso, Renoir, and Monet.
The kids said they wanted this couch at home. The art gallery was kind of a maze so they needed a rest!
At the Air and Space Museum, the younger kids did a little space ride for fun.
Nicole and Mike went twice on a simulator they could maneuver sideways and go completely upside down. I could hear their squeals of delight as they did barrel rolls and stayed upside down as much as possible.
We saw more airplanes than they thought existed!
After driving to Philly that night, Nicole was reading in the window seat of our historical hotel, the Bellevue.
We ventured out for dinner and saw Max Brenners Chocolate Restaurant! Nicole was at a separate table and ordered an expensive smoothie without realizing she was so cute and embarrassed when it came and she realized!
The restaurant plus a chocolate shop near the entrance.
Katy's mac n cheese plus a syringe full of pasta sauce if she wants to add some fun!
Basting brush to add ketchup to the fries
Diana didn't waste time adding sauce to her pasta!
Art murals were in several places in Philly.
Washington Square City park has memorials to General George Washington & unknown soldiers of the American Revolution.
Independence Hall
The National Constitutional Center had an incredible live monologue with background effects called We the People. There was also Signer's Hall, with lifesize statues of the signers of the Declaration.
Mike taking the oath of office for president.
Betsy Ross' house was a great example of what life was like so long ago. Narrow, steep stairs, with the rooms just as they were in her time. This was a good comparison with the estate of Washington and what we later saw at Monticello.
Benjamin Franklin's grave had lots of pennies on it.
We could see it through the cemetery gates which was great since it cost several bucks a person to go in!
Independence Hall was incredible. This shot was of the clock they have in National Treasure.
The Park Ranger was incredibly knowledgeable about the building, the times, and the people involved in the pivotal meetings and events here. He did a great job of helping us see how special it was to be in the actual room where such world-changing events occurred.
Here's where they sat and debated. Made decisions for the nation.
This is Washington's original chair, with half a sun carved on the back. Benjamin Franklin said he often looked at the sun, wondering if it was rising or setting on our little nation. After the Constitution was completed, he said he was sure it was a rising sun.
Liberty Bell
For a late lunch we headed to Reading Terminal Market, located in an area with more of an inner city feel (and smell haha). We had Dinic's sandwiches and Beiler's Doughnuts. And got some incredible chocolate-dipped pretzels and nut/caramel clusters. It was near impossible to find a seat but we finally did!
The rain started as we finished, so we got our ducky outfits on and made quite a scene walking back to our hotel.
On our way out of Philly we stopped at Jim's Grandparents and Great-grandparents' graves, which are side by side. This was so special and touching for everyone. Family is forever.
Our last stop was the temple, so beautiful!
We stayed that night at a flooded hotel! We had to be on the second floor and they were ripping out carpet and working on the first floor. Glad we missed the rain by a day! The next morning we went to Valley Forge. Such a great insight into the incredible hardships of being a soldier in those times.
Much of what we learned gave me greater respect for Washington's ability to command and lead.
Washington's headquarters at Valley Forge. We walked up his stairs-crooked original steps- and saw where he worked and slept.
All this talk of battles had really gotten to the kids and they began full-scale imaginary wars.
Behind the barricades.
Our next stop was Amish country in Lancaster, PA. The Kitchen Kettle Village has pottery, quilts, leatherwork, wood furniture and other crafts.
They can all of these jams and jellies right in front of you! Pics aren't allowed of them working, but you can see by these many cans how much work they do!
We took a (crowded) buggy ride through the countryside. I enjoyed sitting back and breathing the peaceful air of the rolling fields and endless sunshine.
We had ice cream made from their cows and it was the best I've ever had. So creamy and definitely homemade.
We also enjoyed some birch beer (similar to root beer) that evening at our hotel.
The next morning was the best of the kids lives up to this point (according to them). Hershey's Chocolate World!
A short, Disneyworld-type tour with a catchy song sung by cows, takes you through the process of making chocolate.
After looking at endless rows of chocolate, stuffed mascots, and other Hershey candy, we picked out a few treats for the ride home.
Gettysburg was the main event of the day. We bought a tour book with an audio guide. It had an app for the phone that tracked where we were via GPS and would play audio or video based on where we were. It also told us where to turn so we would stay on track. Pretty cool and made it easy to learn at the pace of our family and in our own van.
Pickett's charge memorial.
Our last day started with a trip to Grand Caverns, discovered in 1804 by a 17 yr old boy checking his hunting traps. Civil War soldiers scratched names in the rocks-different sides and on the same day! There used to be weddings, meetings and church held and you can see where they carved seating! The “bacon” formations were fun.
Shield formation- these defy science by the crazy ways they grow.
We also saw Monticello and it has so much for children. There’s a place for kids to play with replicas of lots of what is in Jefferson’s house(they can’t touch in the house because it’s mostly original!)
They also had a Children’s tour of the house and the guide was incredible- each child was renamed one of Jefferson’s grandchildren and had roles we learned about. Everything was geared to the kids learning and it was so interesting to us too.
John loved his horse
View from the back lawn- also what is on the nickel!
We drove back in time for the next morning's soccer adventures. Jacob is awesome to watch, he is an incredible offensive and defensive player, watching the ball and always looking to how he can get in there and make things happen. He especially loves to do tricks. He missed one of his goal attempts and told me that there was a big gust of wind so that was why he missed. haha
Diana's first game was awesome. She's not afraid of anything and went after the ball the whole time she was in. Somehow she made a perfect corner kick and the kid she kicked it to scored. Overall, the 5/6 league is pretty cute, a big cluster of kids kicking the ball and also each other.
Mike loves being goalie. He bounces back if he gets scored on, doesn't mind taking hits, and loves making a big boot of a kick back the other way after a save. So fun to watch these kids have fun playing and working hard for their team.
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