D.C.

 

“I've paid my dues time after time

I've done my sentence but committed no crime

And bad mistakes, I've made a few

I've had my share of sand kicked in my face

But I've come through.”

If you have been to Washington D.C., you know what we saw yesterday on TV, internet, and newspapers is not what the city is all about. Not even close.

For many years I would go to Washington for events and meetings; although the humidity was horrible, that’s the only thing I can say that would be negative. Over time I developed many favorite things to do—the problem is, there was too much to do. 

The first trip to DC, I made a beeline for the National Air & Space Museum. I used to love aircraft and I was amazed to see so many of the “models” I made in person. One of my favorites was the X-15 airplane. I had it hanging from my ceiling in my bedroom, and one night it made a crash landing smashing on the floor while I was asleep; it was not as bad as the Apollo rocket I made that caught on fire when I used too large of an engine. I thought, the bigger the engine the better it would fly and further it would go. I was wrong, it never got off the launchpad and was in flames instantly.

I did make it into the White House one time. It was not what I was anticipating, but then again I should have realized we would not have free rein—-I think the tour took all of 15 minutes and none of us really talked about it afterward.

The one thing I did realize when I was there each time was the importance of the city. It was where things were happening and it would be hard to ignore it. There was one thing I did each and every time I visited; I would always go to the Lincoln Memorial. For me it was magnetic. I would walk across the mall, head opposite of the Capitol, and eventually hit the steps and walk up. When you see President Lincoln perched high upon his seat, it just takes your breath away. When you are looking up at him, and turn to the left and then to the right—-you will find two of his most famous speeches etched into the wall. Read them, it’s well worth it.

The photo above was taken the last time I was in DC. It was a hot August day, the air was thick with humidity, and it was early enough that there were few people milling about. As I walked up the steps of the Memorial, I knew what we witnessed in Washington yesterday can never happen again.

Thanks for stopping by.