The Berger Family Album

Washington D.C.

Lincoln Memorial  In Washington D.C.

"Here's Lookin' At You Kid"

Nate And Ed Patiently Assemble

A Barrel In The Smithsonian

Jo wrote:

Hey!!!!! We are just packing up to leave Washington D.C.. We have been here about a week and our minds are so stuffed with experiences, museums, and information we can barely function. We spent every day in the city, walking, walking, and walking. There are so many incredible things to see and do that months of time would not be enough. We spent many days visiting the vast complexes of the Smithsonian...Air and Space was GREAT and the Museum of American History was really extraordinary. They have a hands on discovery room that the boys loved....they got to harness a mule, assemble a windsor chair, assemble a bucket, gin cotton, sew with a treadle machine and much more. The Library of Congress is absolutely spectacular....the inside is filled with marbles, frescoes, sculptures, and books, books, books. I love the fact that this sumptuous building is dedicated to knowledge and books not politics or war.

This was all in very stark contrast to the Holocaust Museum which really laid us out cold. Everyone was crying as they silently move through the graphic exhibits portraying the horror of the Holocaust. It was quite poignant to compare huge black and white photos of the Nazis burning books with the magnificent shrine of the Library of Congress...good thing we live when and where we do. I was particularly struck by the collected piles of shoes...the most common items of everyday normal people who were unbelievably caught in situations far beyond their ability to imagine or cope. On a brighter note, we strolled the mall, visited the Senate chambers, delighted in the beauty and power of our capital city. Well, everyone is packing up around me and I've got to run....thanks for figuring out the e-mail!!!! We'll look forward to your messages....WE MISS YOU!

The Vietnam War Memorial

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Ed wrote:

What does it cost to "do" DC? We tried to hold our costs down (as always) and do the town family style without missing anything. Here is what it cost us, a family of four:

Camping: $ 36.00 day
METRO: $ 20.00 day
Lunch: $ 20.00 day (Union Station & other food courts)
Groceries: $ 25.00 day
Gas, propane: $ 2.00 day
Misc: $ 10.00 day (curriculum materials)
__________

$102.00 for a family of four.

Not bad! Of course, the fact that DC has free museums and Federal sites made a big difference!

Twilight In The Capitol