The Capitol Tour - Days Four & Five

Our plan was to take a day off to take it a bit easier on Monday and the weather cooperated very nicely. We had been having clear and mild weather making our walkathons as pleasant as possible. Monday we awoke to rain that lasted until mid afternoon, perfect for catching up on laundry and rest. Also called Senator Sessions' (Alabama) office to request a tour of the Capitol. Told to arrive about 10 a.m. we were a little early allowing time for our bus/subway trip into town. We became experienced Metro riders, even transferring from the Green to the Red line and ending at Union Station, closest to the Russell Senate Office Building. Union Station is a shopper's delight, but we were satisfied with some good coffee after an hour plus riding. When the other two families arrived we left the office with the secretary and three interns going to the basement for a ride on the Capitol underground tram. That was a fun beginning to an informative tour including the Old Supreme Court Chamber, the Rotundra of course and the gallery of the senate which was in session, but very limited participation. We thoroughly enjoyed an hour and half tour then ventured back to the Natural Science Museum to get some gifts for our girls (Nelda saw them before, but of course didn't get them while there). After another lunch in the Atrium then walked over to the White House Visitor Center to see if we could get into the White House tour on Wednesday. But it takes six-weeks advance notice for a security check so that was out and we headed back to the Metro, this time leaving from the Archive building stop. Tuesday evening we met Jim & Madeliene again when they came to the conference center in the campground for sqare dancing with their group. Jim had brought me more material for my geneology study. He is the most informed person on early Maryland, the Moore's and others of interest and the local sites and history of the area in and around DC. Again a blessing to our trip.