The Nilsson's go to Washington Day #3

Day #3

We decided to go on the loop of the memorials and monuments this day. As we were walking from where we parked we passed this little farmers market. We bought ourselves some Asian pears that were so delicious and juicy. We then walked to the Washington Monument. We started there. We first got there and saw just how tall it was. We read that at one point in history it was the tallest building in the world. That has now changed of course but it was still interesting to know. We met two couples that were also member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They took a picture of us. One couple was from D.C. and the other was from Chicago but they all went to B.Y.U. It did help that Tanner was wearing a B.Y.U t-shirt so that they knew we were at least B.Y.U fans. After the pictures we took pictures of Layla and it was so cute Layla kept trying to reach for the Monument. We then walked around it. We then headed over to the World War II memorial. It was so fascinating to see this memorial. It was so amazing to read the quotes and see each state and province and the fountains. There was one spot where Tanner stopped and took a picture where when he was there before with his singing group Clayton Productions. Him and his friend Brad stood and sang the Star Spangle Banner. He said it was one of his most spiritual experiences. Then as we walked over to the Lincoln Memorial we walked through the trees it was wonderful. We got to the Lincoln Memorial and saw this incredible tall statue of Abraham Lincoln and read a few of his most famous speeches. Tanner and I commented on how incredible it was that he mentioned God so directly in his speeches and the country was supportive. How times have changed. After we visited the Lincoln Memorial we headed over to some picnic benches by the Potomac River to feed Layla and to eat our own lunch. It was so pretty by the river. As we were sitting eating lunch we saw/heard a car accident. It was small but it made a loud sound. After lunch we walked over to the Martin Luther King Memorial. It was very interesting to see how they made the memorial. They had a quote something like coming out of the rock and he was coming out of the rock. Then it had a wall behind of some of his most famous quotes. (As you can tell I love getting to read quotes from important people) We then headed over to the FDR and Jefferson Memorials.

After those we thought we would have time to go to the Holocaust Museum. Words cannot even describe this museum. I have always been interested in that era. Between reading non-fiction and fiction book, research about that time and getting to hear personal accounts. So when we got to the museum I was really excited to read every sign and watch every movie and listen to all the speeches. The only problem was we had a lot to see and hear and very little time. We got through one floor and then went back the next day to see the other two floors. I was shocked to see so many gruesome pictures and hear the accounts of all the different sides of the Holocaust. The museum closed at 5:20 and we had to leave but as we were walking out we met another member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He works at the museum and was telling us about all the things we should do while we were in Washington D.C. He told us about the Newseum, Crime and Punishment Museum, and the best information he told us about was that the Space Shuttle was at Dulles Airport at the Air and Space Museum there. After we talked to him we had to change our plans for the next day and go see the Space Shuttle. Tanner and I have been basically chasing the space shuttle around the country on our trips. It was in New York when we were there but that closed at 4pm and we barely missed it. Then when we were in San Francisco the Space Shuttle was landing while we were driving to the airport to leave. Finally we were in the city at the same time and had time to go see it. Tanner growing up wanted to be a Astronaut so going to see the space shuttle has been one of his dreams.  It was time for dinner and we headed to this pizza place that we had heard was really good. So our Friday night pizza night was at a place called Pupatella. It as Neapolitan pizza and it was delicious.  We would recommend this pizza to people going to Washington D.C. for sure.