dcwith4

[dcwith4]

Archives and Art

Feb. 18, 2019,

Our last day in DC.  This was one quick trip and none of us could believe we had reached our last day as we begrudgingly packed up.  We checked out of the condo, stored our luggage and took off for a few more hours of exploration.  We realized that we will not be seeing the Museum of African American History and Culture on this trip - so looks like one more trip will be a must.  The kids seemed OK with that.

Our first stop was the Navy Memorial - which we had rushed by each day on our way to and from the Metro station.  Several of the kid’s great-grandfathers had been in the Navy during WWII - so this was important to see.

From there we headed across the street to the National Archives.  This wasn’t even on my agenda - but Colin especially wanted to see the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution and since we were so close - why not.  I approached this with dread because I didn’t have timed entry tickets and it was Presidents Day - but as we turned the corner we could see that only a small line had formed and we walked right in.  No pictures here - folks.  Don’t even think about it.  BUT we were there and we saw these documents and the kids were VERY impressed.  

We intended to eat in the cafeteria at the Archives, but for some reason, it was closed - so we headed to the closest cafeteria at the National Gallery of Art.  I had hoped to spend at the very least an entire afternoon in the beautiful building - but we simply ran out of time and I picked an afternoon at the National Museum of Women in the Arts instead.  In retrospect, that was a mistake.  Read on.

We headed to the National Gallery Cafeteria only to discover the elevator was out of order but a lovely gentleman escorted behind the scenes to a giant freight elevator - neat!!  

The return trip was not so easy.

After lunch at the Cascade Cafeteria, we left the gallery and headed to the National Museum of Women in the Arts.  Here we would see some of Maria Sibylla Merian’s amazing works and participate in a small Art Hunt I had developed.  Time was ticking away, trains were SUPER crowded and once we finally arrived we had less than one hour to visit this collection.

Much to our dismay the Maria Sibylla Merian works are not currently being exhibited.   So much prep and no Merian paintings frustrated me like crazy.  What we did see was lovely  - like a painting by Freida Kahlo and one by Lavinia Fontana (1552 – 1614) - the first woman professional artist  -  and 2 works by Amy Sherald - who painted the Michelle Obama portrait we had seen on Friday night  - but nothing by this amazing female scientist who changed science.  GRRRRR.  We should have stayed at the National Gallery…..

Here is an example of Merian’s work:

Anyway….  Our time ticked away and all too soon it was time to pick up our luggage, drop off the wheelchair and head to the airport.  As we walked to the Metro the kids were talking to each other about how this President's Day Weekend trip should become a tradition and we should take a trip every year.  Maybe to some different cities. like Boston or Baltimore - but coming back to DC every other year - for sure.  Overhearing their conversation made me think our trip was a great success and just try to get the grin off my face.

We took the Metro for one last time to the airport ...

...and after a short flight we were home with Grampa waiting for us right outside the door of DTW

I am so proud of these kids.  I love how they want to learn and soak it up.  I love watching them take it all in, think and ask questions.  None of them had ever heard of the Berlin Wall or the Pulitzer Prize or Maria Sibylla Merian.  They had never visited Mount Vernon and has limited info on George Washington’s life and the Revolutionary War.  They had never seen the original Constitution or the Declaration of Independence.  They had never seen an original Freida Kahlo painting because the DIA doesn’t own one (although the painting they saw did visit the DIA a couple of times ago.)  They had very little understanding of our first amendment - and they even saw the original of the Bill of Rights as well.  The didn’t understand or appreciate the role of journalists in our democracy or the dangers of that job.  They had never been to the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts - let alone attended a performance there, but now they have.

One thing that kept happening on this trip was that Sagan and Katelyn who have not had their 10-year old Damma trip yet would ask valid questions that would be answered immediately by Colin and Kylie with the exact same answer.  For example, Sagan asked “What is that super tall pointy building.”  And the answer was “You will find out ALL about THAT on your 10-year old trip with Damma.”  I would then answer the question, for example “The Washington Monument.” only to get “the look” from Colin and Kylie.  Katelyn asked why we were not going into the National History Museum when we passed it and she got “the answer.”  Frankly, it tickled me.

Another trip is over and I loved being with these young, kind, caring and bright people. I am one of the luckiest people on the planet.

[dcwith4]

Mount Vernon

Feb. 17, 2019

We had a full day of adventure - getting to Mount Vernon, being at Mount Vernon, returning home from Mount Vernon and finally having dinner about 8:30 in the evening - due to some poor planning on my part.  Luckily we had dinner at an italian restaurant - which makes eating that late completely normal - but, oh my.

Let me begin by saying that having the wheelchair is both a blessing and a curse.  The “blessing” part is that Sagan and Katelyn can give their respective legs breaks as needed AND - we have all learned to be hyper aware of the barriers that wheelchair users face over and over again.  When we encounter the “out of order” sign on the elevator we have the option of asking the kid/s to get out, walk to the escalator, folding the wheelchair and taking it up or down as needed. But many wheelchair users do not have that option - then what?  Lots of education going on here.  We used the Metro as our main transportation and evening finding the entrance to the Metro station via elevator was a challenge. At the National Gallery, the elevator was out of order and we were escorted through the bowels building to the freight elevator - which was kinda’ cool.  But when we were ready to go back to the main floor, there was no one to escort us and after waiting way too long, we opted to fold the wheelchair, walk up the steps and Brianne carried the chair up about 30 steps. (Thank you Brianne!)  But for people unable to do so - they just waited.  The “curse” part.

We started the day by watching scaffolding going up on a building nearby.  We were on the 10th floor and truly enjoyed watching this process from our birds-eye view.  

After breakfast we took the Metro to Huntington which is the end of the Yellow line.  The Yellow line, less than a block away from our condo, was having maintenance so instead of settling in for the duration, we had to take the Blue to Reagan and pick up the Yellow line - which was fine but added some time.  When we reached the end of the line, our plans were to take the Connector 101 to Mount Vernon - but I forgot that on Sundays the Connector runs every hour instead of every 30 mins - so we took taxis.  That was also fine and was quicker than the bus - but added $$$s.  Riding the Metro to the end of the line allowed us to finish as book I have been reading to the kids about Maria Sybillis Merian an amazing artist and zoologist who moved peoples' understanding of metamorphosis from evil enchantment to science and lived  fro 1647 to 1717 when women who dared to study insect or small animals were often burned at the stake.  Add to that her ability to paint and you will understand why what she did  merits our attention and respect.

We arrived about 5 minutes before our tour of the mansion - so it was all good. 

 The weather was cold but sunny and walking to the mansion on the Potomac was simply beautiful.  We could take all the pictures we wished outside George and Martha’s home, but once inside - ZERO!  So these pics are from the Internet:

Nice digs.  Check out the very cool “FAN CHAIR”.  Controlled by the occupant of the seat the foot pedals control the speed of the fan - which can be adjusted for the height of the occupant.  I LOVED IT!

The front yard of the Washington home is breathtaking and we spent some time wandering the grounds and out buildings.  Back to my pics:

If you look behind the kids you can see George’s carriage.  (I feel like I know him so well now, we are on a first name basis.)

When we returned to the visitor center we had lunch - yes - another cafeteria - and then headed into the Washington exhibit.  I have to say that this very large exhibit, (one could spend an entire day in it and not see it all) is fabulous!  Very high tech - from a 4-D movie explaining key battles of the Revolutionary War to a “You Decide” re-enactment of one of the major decisions ol’ George had to make as General Washington - and lots in-between.   Fun!

What felt like only minutes ended up being hours and suddenly the facility was closing.  We caught the Connector bus - more time, less money - and got back to the train to head back to DC.  We all loved our visit to Mt. Vernon and highly recommend it.  Kylie and Katelyn used the long bus ride for a comfy nap.

And here is when my best planning went awry.  I decided since our train would stop at McPhearson Square - the stop closest to the White House - we could get off - walk by the White House and head to Old Ebbitt’s Grill - where I had tried to make reservations earlier in the day but discovered all on-line reservations had to be made 24 hours in advance.  How busy could it be on a Sunday night at 7:00?

When we got out of the subway station we discovered it was pouring rain - POURING!!  I abandoned the plan to walk to the White House and decided to go to Old Ebbitt’s Grill only to discover that the wait for a party of 6 was AT LEAST 1 hours.  Now we are soaked and hungry and it was getting late.  I decided to call for a couple of UBER’s.  I got one and put Brianne, Kylie, Sagan and Katelyn - plus the wheelchair - in the car and they whisked away.  But I couldn’t get a second UBER until my first one got to its location.  RATS!  So Colin and I decided to walk back to the Metro - since the rain had tapered off - and walk by the White House on the way.

Brianne spent her time at the condo trying to find somewhere close and finally ended up at Carmine’s a fabulous Italian place with a 30 minute wait.  Sigh…. By the time we FINALLY were seated and served we could have had dinner at Old Ebbitt’s Grill and be tucked in bed - but who knew?

Everyone was starving - but the cheese garlic bread took the edge off and everyone was fine again.  I hope when we all think of this trip - this night will only have good memories.  I have to say dinner was delicious and when we were home at last - bedtime was quick - for everyone.  :)

Tomorrow will be our final day and we will try our best to use every minute.

Stay tuned.

[dcwith4]

The Newseum & Kennedy Center

Feb. 16, 2019

Another action packed day in DC!!!  We were up and out early and arrived at the Newseum just a few minutes after it opened.  This wonderful museum that supports understanding of the First Amendment is - sadly - closing at the end of the year.  If you have never been there - GO!!

Our “homework” was to discuss the First Amendment and the 5 freedoms it protects.  (Do you know them?)   I was very impressed with these young minds as we talked about this First Amendment - the why, the how and the what - and all the reasons we are privileged to live in a country with these protections and how we MUST protect those rights that are continually under siege.  There was no doubt that going into this amazing museum these kids “got it!”

The other thing we spend a good deal of time discussing was the Berlin Wall - why THAT happened and how it fell.  The Newseum has a big chunk of that wall and a guard tower - the only guard tower in the US.  Lots of questions, lots of discussion and lots of answers.  LOVED IT.

We began our time at the Newseum on the sidewalk outside the museum reading the headlines of the front pages all over America.  “Trump’s National Emergency” was the number one lead story in all but two of the newspapers nation wide.  This makes the Berlin Wall conversation even more relevant.

Finally we went inside and headed to the Putlizer Prize for Photojournalism exhibit.  Viewing these photos - designed to tell a story - is not a bed of roses.  Some are gruesome.  Some are inspiring.  Some will choke you up; some with fill you with rage; some will make you smile; and some will make you want to sob.  Most impact history.  BUT they all tell the viewer something while evoking a strong emotion  - and our kids got that because they felt that.  

From here we moved on the The Berlin Wall.  

They knew they were going to see a part of the wall - but seeing the size of this ridiculous wall that separated families and friends for 28 freaking years, the guard tower -  so stark and cold  - and walking in the kill zone never fails to impress.  The Berlin Wall was not one wall but two  - with distances between the walls from 20-60 feet.  The distance between those walls was called the “kill zone.”

Despite the 302 guard towers staffed with soldiers who had shoot-to-kill orders, the 55,000 anti-personnel explosive devices (landmines) placed in the kill zone, and the 3,000 attack dogs patrolling the 27 mile long kill zone the quest for a better life inspired thousands of people to risk it all for a chance at the better life and cross over, under and through that stupid wall.  Hmmmmm.

We saw the antenna that was atop one of the twin towers and that led to many questions and explanations.  These kids, all born after 9/11, actually know very little about those attacks.  Their life cannot be easily divided into before and after - because everything they know is after.  Great questions.  Great discussions.  (Below we are discussing how the towers fell.)

We greatly exceeded my planned time as the kids moved hungrily through exhibit after exhibit each clarifying and  underscoring the 5 components of the First Amendment from historic need for their formation to present day threats.  And speaking of hungry:

We finished our time (plus 2.5 hours) at the memorial to print and photo journalists who have been killed doing their best to shine light on current events and the world map showing the few places on this planet with a free press.   (Green is Free Press.  Yellow is “some restrictions on the press” . Red is “press is completely controlled by the government - NO free press.) . WOWZA.

Of course we were sad when we left, but not about what we had seen, heard or learned. The future closing of this fabulous resource makes me want to sob.  If ever we needed this deep dive into what happens when the press is labeled “the enemy of the people” or “fake news.” it is now.  I am so happy that our kids got to visit.

FINALLY - we headed to the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts.  WHAT a building and what a mission.  

One of the great things about the Kennedy Center is the Millennium Stage where every single day at 6:00 pm - a high quality, diverse and completely free event is performed.  After dinner at the KC Cafe we truly enjoyed a performance of From Cotton Fields to Concert Hall.  This mini play is a story told by an enslaved person, about how much her love of music helped her survive and how that love of music was passed from generation to generation and is now manifest in her great-great-great granddaughter, a professional opera singer.  We experienced African drumming and dance, spirituals, opera and jazz - all up close and personal.  OUTSTANDING!!

At 7:00 PM - it time to go back “home”  but not before we walked around the roof and enjoyed the beautiful skyline of Washington and the surrounding areas. DC at night is simply spectacular!!  We all were inspired by the brightness of the monuments and the darkness of Arlington National Cemetery.

After taking the shuttle from the Kennedy Center back to the Metro Station, we decided to make one more trip to the grocery store and this time it was a quick trip.  Brianne got in line to check out with Sagan and Katelyn, Colin and I raced downstairs to get cream cheese and Kylie raced to the bakery for get fresh bagels.  We were out of there in less than 10 minutes.  Knowing what you are doing and where items are located is handy.

It was almost 9:00 when we got home but before I let the kids sleep, we had an assignment to prepare them for tomorrow and our visit to Mount Vernon - a quick National Geographic special on out buddy George.  SWEET!!!

Ok - the kids looks miserable - BUT this was taken as they are hearing about the death of George’s dad when George only 11.  I was looking the same way at that time.  :(

As always, we want to spend more time that we allocated and leaving any place takes longer than expected.  Meals take more time than anticipated and while traveling by public transportation is always fun - it also takes longer than planned.  So far, the only thing I feel we are running short on - is time.  But isn’t that always the case.  

Mount Vernon tomorrow.

[dcwith4]

Washington DC 2.0

Feb. 15, 2019

I am back in DC - this time with our four youngest grands for a whirlwind trip that covers nothing from the 10-year-old/Damma trip, but is designed to enrich minds and hearts.  I am so lucky!!!!

Planning this trip has been a challenge not knowing if the government will be open or closed.  After a 34 day temper tantrum closure, it looked as if we might be heading for another at midnight tonight, but that was averted by declaring a “State of Emergency” to build that ridiculous “Wall.”  But I digress....

We arrived late Thursday night and with a little help from the locals, found and checked into our condo - managed by Stay Alfred.  While the location is PERFECT - less than a block away from the Archives/Navy Metro Stop - I can’t recommend it.  I picked this condo up on VRBO, where we have rented many, many places and always been VERY satisfied, but this is different.  The pictures are “representational” of what we might get, not the actual location and everything is bare bones.  I AM NOT SATISFIED and I will be letting them know.

BUT I am VERY satisfied  - no scratch that - I am THRILLED to be spending this time with 4 delightful, responsible, congenial and anxious-to-learn kids.

We wasted no time today beginning our day at the Capitol Building - always impressive.  The weather was FABULOUS with temps reaching mid 60s.  We loved it and enjoyed stuffing coats into bags - but it was short lived and by evening the temps had dropped to the 40s again -  but we were also loving those sunny 40s.

We saw the film and took the tour and had a great guide - which I believe is totally luck of the draw - and it was TIME for me to get a good draw on the guide!

The crowds were teeny today too- which is a bonus.

 At the very end of the tour, our guide told us the House of Representative chamber was open for viewing today - and I watched Colin’s eyes grow wide.  While the other kids headed into the museum, Colin and I hoofed it to the Hart Senate Building and up to Senator Stabenow’s office for passes to both chambers.

All the kids were impressed to be sitting in the gallery of the U.S House of Representatives, but for 12-year old Colin and 10-year old Kylie it was especially memorable.  They have been so very lucky to have a spectacular civics focus at school and their knowledge base is impressive.  

Our discussion about the State of the Union address truly would have challenged most adults.  There are certainly NO PICTURES of us sitting in the gallery because we were stripped of our electronics, purses, backpacks and even our watches before we would enter the freaking EMPTY chamber - but we were there!  But while we were practically alone in that Chamber and the conversation was outstanding, I finally said - WE HAVE TO MOVE ON.  So much to do, so little time.

Sagan is coming off of a multi month period of corrective casting on his left foot.  This has left his muscles weak and his endurance low.  What is not weak or low is his determination to participate in EVERYTHING - but by mid afternoon, we made the decision to rent a wheelchair for the rest of the trip.  This way it is his option to ride or to simply take a rest.  Colin, Sagan and I UBERed to the rental locale and rolled out.  It would have been nice to have been able to rent a wheelchair that was sized appropriately - but beggars cannot be choosers - so there you go.

Katelyn also has the determination of a mule but it was clear that she too was being challenged by our pace, so a wheelchair to share is a perfect addition to our trip.  This is also a learning experience for all of us because although the Metro is ADA compliant, finding the  ADA “route” is a challenge and Brianne took the folded wheelchair up at least 3 escalators.  This generated great discussion - FYI.  We can do better, I believe.

What I had designed would take an hour to on my agenda was now in hour 3.  But finally - we headed across the street and into the highest court in the land - the Supreme Court.

We went to the museum and saw a movie and participated in the tour of the the actual courtroom.  Impressive - yet archaic.  No electronics of any kind are allowed - just like the founders designed it BEFORE ELECTRONICS WERE INVENTED.  Reporters must record with paper and pencil and there is a designated spot for the courtroom artists.  Now I don’t want to put the artists out of a job - but REALLY!?!?!

Again, I was impressed with the engagement of the kids.  Kylie even asked questions - which was awesome because we were in a very large group of mostly adults.  But she and Colin get it - thanks to amazing teachers (and a pretty awesome family - if I don’t mind saying so myself.)

By the time we had a snack in the Supreme Court cafeteria - although I just can’t picture RBG carrying a tray - we were hours behind and decided to re-arrange our schedule moving the Museum of African-American History and Culture to Monday - with fingers crossed.  If we don’t see that museum, Colin will never forgive me - OR will continue to beg for DC. 3.0.

After a brief return to our sparely appointed condo - we headed to the Smithsonian Portrait Gallery for to see the Presidential portraits.  Each one is a true gift and the kids loved them and the digital interpretation features.  

Amy Sherald portrait of Michelle Obama was one floor up and although our mission was exactly that - the draw of art go in the way - and what SHOULD have taken 5 minutes took 40.    

They were especially drawn to the shadow art - which was AMAZING!!!

Finally - we found Michelle Obama’s portrait moments before the place closed.  Always worth the hunt!

From there we headed to Chinatown with a very hungry group.  We - the dynamic WALK n’ ROLL team -  could not resist dinner at the Wok n’ Roll.  

The kids were STARVING and I do believe Sagan and Kylie ate their body weight in wonderful authentic Chinese food. What a wonderful meal in beautiful Chinatown.

By 9:30 - we were home and in bed.  By 10:00 all the kids and Damma were asleep.  Tomorrow will be another busy day.  LOVING these kids and DC!