Free Day in Washington

12^th October – Free Day in Washington

A nice bright and sunny day today, we decided that a visit to Arlington Cemetery was a ‘must do’.  Our hotel is a 5 minute walk from Union Station so off we went to board the tube.  Operating the ticket machines is not that straightforward but eventually we got the hang of it.  There aren’t many lines so it’s pretty easy to get about. 

The cemetery occupies 1,100 acres and is very impressive; we visited the memorials of John F & Jacqueline Kennedy.  After a walk up the hill to Arlington House, the ancestral home of Robert E Lee, we went to see the tomb of the unknown soldiers where the changing of the guards was taking place. 

Then it was back on the tube where our railcards wouldn’t work, they needed more money!  So began the process of adding more money to the cards via that decidedly un-user friendly ticket machine!  We wanted to visit the old town of Georgetown so we took the tube to ‘Foggy Bottom’ the nearest station (yes really)!   Georgetown has some very interesting old buildings and very nice shops; Carol was tempted by a handbag in the Michael Kors shop but resisted bravely.  Had a tasty lunch at an Italian restaurant and it was warm enough to sit outside.  Finally we walked back to the station via the waterfront.  Compared to New York, it’s more expensive to travel by tube here; I think the bus is cheaper.

We had arranged to meet 2 other couples for dinner, Anita& Tom from Jersey and Ann & ‘Ah well’ from Wales, that’s the only way we can remember how to pronounce it!

 

 

What's the hold up, it would be quicker to walk!?

 

Capitol