Washington D.C. - Day 2

On Wednesday the 27^th the heat and humidity continued to rise with the worst expected towards the end of the week. We decided to save the rest of our tours of the air conditioned Smithsonian Museums for Thursday.

Our first stop of the day was Arlington National Cemetery where we caught the tour bus instead of walking. The first drop off point was the Tomb of the Unknowns also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to view the changing of the guard. It was hot and very crowded but you never would have known it by the guard’s demeanor.

He marched twenty-one steps, turned and paused for twenty-one seconds, turned again and again paused for twenty-one seconds before marching back only to repeat the same turn and pause sequence. The twenty-one second hold symbolizes a twenty-one gun salute. After each turn he shoulders his rifle so it’s between the onlookers and the tomb to signify that he stands between the tomb and any possible threat. It’s a very solemn ritual. We also witnessed a group of boy scouts and a man & woman presenting wreaths to be laid at the tomb… something I hadn’t seen on my first visit.

Arlington Cemetery

Guarding the tomb

Changing of the Guard

Inspecting rifle

Boy scouts

The next stop was at the JFK Eternal Flame and tomb.  Jacqueline Kennedy has been laid to rest alongside her husband. They are flanked by their baby son Patrick and an un-named daughter. Robert and Ted Kennedy have been buried on the hillside below.

JFK Memorial

JFK's tomb

Mrs. Kennedy's tomb

The last stop on the tour was at the Arlington House that was once owned by, George Custis, Martha Washington’s son and adopted by George Washington. The land from his estate eventually became Arlington Cemetery.

Our final stop of the day was 18 miles away…George & Martha Washington’s home, Mount Vernon.

Mount Vernon

Upper Gardens

Back of house overlooks Potomac

Potomac River

A lot had changed from my first visit with the addition of many outbuildings and gardens. But my favorite part remains… the chairs on the porch overlooking the Potomac River.  It’s a great place to sit and watch the river and imagine what it must have been like when the Washington’s occupied the home.

Former grave site

Tomb of George & Martha Washington