The students were woken up promptly at 6:15 this morning- so 5:15 Iowa time (we had some sleepy kids!). They made their way down for breakfast at the hotel. They enjoyed eggs, pancakes, bacon, potatoes, and croissants.
We then hopped on the bus to head to the White House. On our way we saw some helicopters flying. They were approaching the White House. Much to our amazement, it was Marine One carrying President Trump. We were riding in the bus parallel to the helicopter flying and we saw it land in the south lawn. It was a pretty amazing experience for everyone! We then made our way to the north side of the White House for some photos. Terry and Ernie were watching the door and were able to capture a photo of Trump leaving. Soon after it came out in the news about Rex Tillerson. Just north of the White House is a statue of Andrew Jackson. We also stopped to look at that statue.
Next we headed to the Vietnam Memorial. Sally led us to an Osceola citizen who died in the Vietnam War, Norman Burris. The students enjoyed looking at all the names. Some even took an etching.
After the Vietnam memorial we headed to Ford's Theater, where Lincoln was shot. Unfortunately we couldn't go into the theater because they are moving in a set for an upcoming production, however, we were able to go into the museum below the theater. The gun which shot Abraham Lincoln was in that museum. We then walked across the street to the Education Center attached to the Peterson House. The Peterson House is where Lincoln was taken after he was shot. Unfortunately, the house is under renovations (new sprinkler system in the ceilings) and we couldn't go in. The Education Center's main attraction (in my opinion) is the multi-story high tower of books. These are all the books written about Lincoln. They are constantly adding to the book tower and I imagine they will run out of room soon.
From there we walked a couple blocks to lunch at National Place. The students received food vouchers for specific meals in a food court setting. From lunch we went souvenir shopping at Joe's. From Joe's we headed to Madam Toussaud's Wax Museum. There are very life-like wax statues of famous people. There was one for each of the presidents and then some famous people. Everyone enjoyed taking pictures with the wax figures.
Next we headed to the Museum of American History. We had a short stop in-between the Capitol and Washington Monument which was a great photo op! Then we headed to the museum. The students broke out in groups and saw many different things. The most popular were the flag that flew over Fort McHenry which the star spangled banner was written about, Lincoln's hat, the first lady's gowns, and the bat mobile.
Once we finished the museum we headed to dinner at Kora's, an Italian restaurant. It was buffet style which served spaghetti, lasagna rolls, pasta with alfredo sauce, bread, salad, chicken and meatballs. People seemed to enjoy the meal.
Following dinner we headed back to the mall to see the Korean Memorial and Lincoln Memorial. The students enjoyed taking photos at the Lincoln Memorial. The sun was setting and so the Washington Monument looked beautiful with the colors in the sky. We then headed to the Einstein Statue. The kids like this statue because they can climb on it. It is supposedly good luck to rub his nose.
The Einstein Statue was our last stop of the evening. We then headed back to the hotel. Tomorrow the kids get to sleep in a little later (7:00!), so hopefully they'll get some good sleep tonight. I believe we walked about 7 or 8 miles today and 5 yesterday. We're definitely getting our steps in!
Breakfast lunch and dinner my favorites. I also enjoyed the Lincoln Memorial.
-Joseph Eshelman
I loved being in the american history museum
- Trenton Engle
the america history museum is so big and cool on the inside and out
Alex Hall
My favorite part of today was going to the wax museum. It was really interesting because I got to take pictures with Taylor Swift, Jimmy Fallon, and Thomas Jefferson. They were sadly not real... But I did enjoy going to the Smithsonian history museum, because I learned about some Revolutionary War things, and almost started singing Hamilton in the middle of the whole thing. I actually whisper/sung it a little bit. It was fun!
-Riley Elsbury
- we had a pillow fight with my room mates and we had breakfast and lunch and dinner and all of it was so good and also all of us are always having a lot of fun. and you parents so good parents that we ever had and that is good for us because we need parents to good with to Washington dc trip and thank you to mr. Beener he made this trip for us and i help barb get out of her wheel chair and was so fun and all of us had a lot of fun and my favorite part was seen the fake people and the most favorite part was the Hannah Montana and thats all my day.
- By Isabel Pettit
I liked going to the National Museum of American History, I got to see a lot of things including things about trains.
- Steven Hiatt
Mileage tracker:
Monday 5.33 miles
Tuesday 6.04 miles
(Photo credit: Terry Morgan)
Thank you for sharing ! Sounds like you all are having a great time and learning lots too ! Nicki
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