For the new Mr. Davis' Day Four Mount Vernon tour click here
For the Photo slideshow of the girls trip to DC click here
Okay, listen, I know that you are not reading this blog because you are interested in what I'm doing at Mount Vernon. You humor me with my "George Washington this.." and "George Washington that.." speeches all to just get glimpses of my girls. I'm totally fine with that. I'm way more into my girls than George Washington too. Don't get me wrong. This sabbatical is a trip of a lifetime and I LOVE being at Mount Vernon, but just like GW, my girls are way more important.
Today, we as a family, did different things. I spent the day at Mount Vernon. My girls spent the day in Washington DC. That's why we have two offerings above. My wife will be doing a guest spot blog today below telling you all about her day! So exciting!!!
My day:
My day began by dropping off the girls in DC. I tried to send them off at a metro station, but after circling the Pentagon Parking lot a few times we just couldn't find it. So I realized...wait, if I just drive 5 more minutes I'm in DC. Super cool. Then, I drove to work and it is a gorgeous drive. Wow. I met with my bosses today. I was taken on a golf cart around the estate to see some stuff that I hadn't been able to yet. Impressive. Mount Vernon is 500 acres. I saw the CEO/President's house of Mount Vernon. Also, the MVLA (Mt. Vernon Ladies Association) quarters houses when they are visiting. We picked up an archaeologist on the journey and that was super cool as she was studying furniture.
The meeting went great. We just strategized what the rest of the month will look like.
Here is some of the stuff I'll be doing:
1. Working Colonial Days (dress in period pieces) on the Pioneer Farm
2. Being the attendant to Lady Washington (a historical re-enactor) and I'll be in period pieces again
3. Be a greeter in the Orientation Center. I'll be welcoming guests from around the country and world and answering questions about the estate or about "The General". What an honor.
4. I'll be meeting with various people around the estate to discuss The General
5. I was asked today to possibly make a documentary about a worker at the Estate who grew up in Mount Vernon, VA and works there now. She is well into her 90's.
6. More to come!
You will see my adventure today. I had a blast. I spent most of the day listening to Lady Washington talk with the guests at Mount Vernon. IT WAS AMAZING!!!! I'll post some of the video I took on another blog.
After another full day at MV, I drove up to get the girls in DC. Once there however, I found parking!!! Cool! So we decided to explore around. We went to the National Archives and saw the Original Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence. It was heavily guarded. More security than airports. Everyone had guns. I listened to one of the guards describing what would happen if someone tried to destroy these documents. Let's just say, they wouldn't survive. The documents are huge and very faded. You still can read John Hancock's signature though! We then hopped in the car and headed to Arlington National Cemetery to look at the view. Glorious. On the way we saw the President's helicopter coming in guarded by others and we had to stop for our first motorcade (I think it was the Vice President). Very cool. After a VERY full day, we are home!
Guest commentary: My wife!
Hello All! Thanks to my husband for this amazing blog and documentation of our trip. I want to give a shout out to my students in C-10! Hey Bobcats! Miss you guys. After my hubby dropped his girls off, we made our way to the Lincoln Memorial. After climbing a large set of stairs we feasted our eyes on an even larger Abraham Lincoln. It was spectacular. The detail in the sculpture was incredible and realizing what an incredible man he was to endure such hardship was inspiring in a new way beyond the books. After leaving the LM we made our way through a lovely park called Constitution Gardens and stopped by the World War II Memorial. This place was breath taking. I again was in awe of the courage and bravery of our men and women to put themselves in life threatening situations all in the name of freedom. Freedom definitely isn't free. After that we crossed the street and strained our necks to see the top of the Washington Monument up close...surrounded by American flags it is another National Landmark of unique beauty and history. From atop the grassy knoll at the WM you can look back and see the terrain from whence we came-fabulous! Next stop, the White House! It's one thing to see it in pictures, on TV, and in movies, it's another thing to see it in person and realize that's where the presidents have and do live. The grounds are phenomenal and the building itself is a work of architectural art. After touring all these famous sites, our precious one decided to fall asleep in her stroller. So, I, of course, found a Caribou Coffee House, made my way to Lafayette Park, starred at the front door of the White House and ate lunch. Our 2nd to last stop post nap was the National Museum of American History where we went straight for the "kid things." We found Mr. Potato Head, Etch-A-Sketch, a doll house, Kermit the Frog, Dumbo, and trains-All Aboard. Our last stop was for ice cream because little girl had deserved a treat for being such a trooper through the busy city day. We enjoyed some Chocolate and Strawberry gelato until finally meeting up with our favorite guy where the adventures continued. Our day together in D.C. was a gift.
No comments:
Post a Comment