A Trip to the Nations Capitol!

The fourth of July is the nations most patriotic holiday by far. Americans all over the states celebrate clad in red, white, and blue come together as a whole nation to become one. I was lucky enough to be able to plan my trip to Washington DC for this patriotic holiday. I flew out of Orlando International Airport in the morning on the 1st so my day wasn't completely wasted on travel alone. When i arrived at Washington Dulles Airport I picked up bags at baggage claim that was surprisingly quick then headed straight for the Alamo Rental Car pick-up station. Let me tell you a convertible in DC in July is the best investment I have ever made. It was so hot reaching triple digit heat on two occasions, the breeze in my hair with the top down was enough to compensate for it all. It turns out that after my morning flight I was still tired too tired from my trip so I just relaxed in my room and planned out my next day of sight seeing.

The next morning I woke up bright and early ate a nice breakfast and then left to commence the day that I planned the night before. I decided that I would head to a couple of museums the first day then some of the monuments the second day and on the fourth i would head over to the park near the Washington Monument for the parade and fair then watch the fireworks come up behind the White House and see them in the background of the Washington Monument.

So I headed out in my wisely chosen convertible with the top down of course and headed off to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. Let me tell you this is my favorite museum ive ever been to, because I am a fan of history and I love to see what walked the earth before civilization. The museum was great best exhibits that I have ever seen in any museum, they were both very well crafted as well as informative and like any museum your gonna learn and I learned my fair share. If you take your time you can make any of the museums in DC last half a day easy so after the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. This has the coolest exhibits in it all the aircraft and space craft in it really make the museum worth while. Its amazing to see how far that aircraft have come and technology since the first flight in Kitty Hawk. After that i picked up a nice dinner then drove back to the hotel, with the top down of course for a good nights rest for the next day of sight seeing i had planned.

The next day I woke up early again I guess its hard to sleep with so much history to see. I ate the same continental breakfast as the day before went to the rental car dropped the top and then hit the road to Virginia to the original presidential mansion at George Washington's estate. The sight seeing was incredible, it was amazing how well the house and manor was maintained. I took a tour of the mansion and it was like being transported back in time, everything looked and felt so real like was actually living in that much simpler time. I walked the estate further and viewed the final resting place of our first president and his wife. I walked the trails and even seen the stables. As amazing as the place was I had to leave so I could see more that I had planned. I then went to the Arlington National Cemetery to view a guard changing ceremony that was like everything else in my day incredible. After the ceremony I headed over to the Eternal Flame to commemorate the assassination of John F. Kennedy, honestly I don't cry for much but seeing that flame and what it stood for as well as the tomb it brought a tear to my eye and made me proud to be an American, as cliche as it sounds its the truth. I then like pretty much everybody does visited the Lincoln Monument the huge over sized monument of the man that never lied. After my long day and no lunch i was famished so I had a nice meal and went once again to my hotel room to relax for the evening.

My final day in DC i woke up a little bit later but still caught breakfast at the hotel and relaxed for a little bit longer in my room before I headed out for the scorching sun at Presidental Park underneith the Washington Monument. When i finally made my way to the park it was mid-afternoon and I walked around the booths they had till night fall and then the main event began. The fireworks were absolutly incredible the best firework display I have ever seen in my life once again DC brought another tear to my eye and gave me that proud American feeling. I loved it! I was sad i had to leave but I had to get back home to my normal life. The rental car return was quick and effortless, yet the airport was a hassle being a holiday and in the nations capitol but who could balme them. I will never forget anything adout DC partially because of all the pictures I had, all in all I loved my trip and the ease of travel made everything so much better.