Business or Pleasure?

Last week, David & I had a great experience. We travelled to Washington DC with the B/CS Chamber of Commerce's Legislative Affairs Committee. So, David had a lot of meetings during the day while I got to play by myself (if that sounds pathetic, believe me, it was not! It was fabulous!!!). So, it was business and pleasure!

We flew out of Easterwood Airport (my first time to fly out of B/CS) at 6am on Monday morning and arrived in DC about 1pm. It was rainy, windy and cold. The first night we had a personal tour of the Capitol Building (David's favorite part) guided by Congressman Chet Edwards. It was so fun to be in that beautiful building, to hear stories from someone who prides himself on being somewhat of a historian, and to sit on the floor of the House and listen to someone who actually works there (he's been in Congress for about 15 years).
We then had a night tour of the monuments (pictures didn't turn out), but it was fun. The next day, David left for his meetings while I slept in. (Would it be really pathetic to say that was my favorite part?) The weather on Tues & Wed could not have been better, mid 70's, sunny, perfect!! Tuesday I went to the Museum of American History, the National Archives, the National Gallery of Art and then sat in front of the Capital for a long time just enjoying the scenery and the quiet.
(This is the fountain in the Sculptor Garden of the National Gallery of Art)

Tuesday night we had dinner with the group (about 30 people) at a very nice seafood restaurant (McCormick & Schmidt -- I thought we were having dinner with a law firm).

Wednesday I went to the Jefferson Memorial (where this picture was taken) and then spent over four hours in the Holocaust Museum. The words I would use to describe that experience are so wrong: at the same time it was awesome and gruesome, enlightening and excruciating. The story is so well told and the experience is one I will not soon forget. And if you are ever in DC, go! But only if you have more than 3 hours to dedicate to it. It's not worth it if you cannot submerge yourself in the story.

Wednesday night the group went on a Dinner Cruise on the Potomac. It was so fun! The cover band was fabulous, the food was yummy (not as good as the law firm), the scenery was stunning and the company was enjoyable. One of the perks of this trip for me was getting to know so many people from the community. These are people that we see at almost every function David & I attend for his job. So now they know who I am and I know who they are (they don't have to introduce themselves to me AGAIN!) :)
Thursday, David had a quick meeting in the morning and then we had about 3 hours to kill before time to go to the airport, so we headed to Arlington Cemetery. The weather was back to rainy & windy (thankfully, not so cold). It was so beautiful!!! This is David at the eternal flame at JFK's grave. The history is thick as you walk this ground.

Thanks to my Mom and to Jerry & Ann who split time here in College Station staying with the boys. Samuel is still talking about getting to sleep in the tent he and Nana made in the living room one night.

Thursday is Jeremiah's last day of school and next Thurs. is Samuel's last day. Summer officially begins for the Park family! It's promising to be a very busy one!

Also, my sister Sara arrives next Wed. pm for a short visit. We're very excited to get to spend a little time with her.