We learned how to do this today:
And then we went on a tour of the district. The guide said you steer these things with your feet or your hips. I knew what he meant. I would steer with my feet, and I did. And they already hurt. Now they hurt more, but who’s complaining? I mean, besides me.
Here’s the north lawn of the White House:
And now the Treasury Department. There’s no money in there! Har har.
This is the Old Post Office. Lately it is owned by Donald Trump, his first DC property. Built in 1899, it was the largest office building in Washington. It operated as a post office for only 15 years. Now it has office space. Soon it will be a hotel.
It boasts a 315-foot clock tower and some of the impressive views in town. Inside are the official United States Bells of Congress, a bicentennial gift from England celebrating the end of the Revolutionary War. They ring every Thursday evening and on special occasions. Something to check out on our next visit.
A picture of feet. And a Capitol building in the background.
The Smithsonian Castle on the Mall. Designed by James Renwick Jr., the Seneca red sandstone was originally intended to be white marble. Finished just after the Civil War, today it houses the administrative offices of the Smithsonian and the tomb of James Smithson.
Learning more about history on the Mall:
Nice to know some people still care, at the Vietnam Memorial:
The Washington Monument is covered in scaffolding in the background here. They are working to repair damage after the 2011 earthquake. It is said to be structurally sound, but essentially closed until sometime next year:
Some buildings just need a good high pressure washing. This is one of them:
After the Segway tour The Yankee changed and went back to the conference. I went to meet Elisabeth! She drove up to spend the day with us, which was great since we haven’t seen one another in four years. You won’t recognize her here, because she’s in disguise at the Spy Museum:
We had dinner here, one of those places with a full menu of delicious sounding food. When it came out it was delicious, and I would have liked more than the meager serving size. It was that kind of restaurant.
The check came out in a cigar box:
Elisabeth, Chris, The Yankee and I went to a bookstore on Dupont Circle for dessert. We had the cheesecake:
And here we are on the escalator:
Tomorrow, more tourist stuff and hanging out with Elisabeth and Chris.
