Washington DC Maryland - 3 nights

We're in Washington! Found our way into Washington pretty easy and checked into the hotel. Had a few quiet drinks in Mick and Anne's room and went in search of China Town for a meal.  Enjoyed that and when we came out, the place was starting to come alive! Time for us to keep walking!
We had an early start the next day and caught the Metro (train) into Arlington Virginia, under the Potomac River. The river divides the 2 states of Maryland and Virginia.
We spent quite a few hours at the Arlington National Cemetery, which was absolutely incredible. We then walked  back across the Potomac and went to the Lincoln Memorial which stands before the reflecting pool, and you can see the Washington Monument in the background, which we've all seen in the the odd movie or two.
We then went on to the White House, and John firmly believes The First Lady opened the door and gave him a wave!
We were all pretty tired by this time, so many government buildings, statues and history - a truly amazing place. We then stumbled upon the Marriott Hotel so popped in for a welcome sit down and a cold drink and ended up having dinner there - lovely spot.
Walked back to our hotel on 13th St NE and M St NE and we hit the sack. Rumour has it that Daryl and Mick didn't, but that's just a rumour! Poor Luanne - again!
Not such an early start this morning and took one of the cars to the Pentagon - as one does! Well after driving around and around one secured car park, then actually parking in a secured park and having to move or we'd be fined and towed away, we finally walked through the tunnel to the Pentatgon Memorial! A very sad, emotional place. There were signs everywhere that no photos could be taken,
so left the cameras in the car only to find that you are able to take photos in the memorial grounds only, hence my below photos not so great because I then had to take a photo of my phone photos - long story, anyway!  The memorial is where the plane actually struck the Pentagon, and the 184 people who died there that day have all been proudly remembered. There were 59 passengers and the
rest were working in the Pentagon. You can see quite clearly where the building has been repaired.
The angles of the memorial seats are set up to portray the flight path of the plane into the building,
and way the seats face denotes if they were on the plane or in the Pentagon. Running water is under every seat and of a night it is lit up in a beautiful green glow. Absolutely stunning. Each row depicts the birth year of those who died.
We then went on to the Native American Indian Museum which was very interesting. Daz, Lu and Mick then went on to the Air and Space Museum, but John, Anne and I didn't, unfortunately as they said it was pretty good too. So many museums and historical things to see here, probably would take weeks and weeks to cover it all, but we have seen a lot in the couple if days we've been here. We've done lots of walking so eating and drinking shouldn't be a problem!
 Just saw Bindy Irwin on the American Dancing with the Stars! She's just like Steve!
Heading off tomorrow to the Hilton at East Brunswick which is about 1 1/2 hours south west of New York - got a great deal, then hopefully cruise through the Hamptons before arriving in NY.

Heading into Washington  DC

Mick, John & Daryl sampling large Corona!

Waiting for the Metro

Arlington National Cemetry

So many headstones 

Changing of the Guard of the Unknown Soldier

The headstone of Audie Murphy

most decorated American soldier ever

then movie star

Amphitheatre at National Cemetry

Hard to see but these are the graves of President JF Kennedy,

Jackie Kennedy Onassis, their stillborn child and their 2 day

old baby

The 6 of us with the reflecting pool and Washington 

Monument in the background

The Lincoln Memorial 

Fountain on way to Washington Monument 

The Washington Monument

All of us in front of the White House in the distance

Happened to come across Tate's chockies

A sneaky  photo of the Pentagon

Daryl and Luanne at the Native American

Indian Museum

Some more autumn leaves!

Capitol Hill under renovation on the dome

A cheeky squirrel 

Going through the tunnel to the Pentagon

Another cheeky shot of the Pentagon

Pentagon Memorial

Bindy Irwin on American

Dancing with the Stars!