My Family Trip to Washington D.C.

[Dave Smith]

This is a bit off topic here, but I figured some of you might get a kick out of seeing what our family did for spring vacation. Denise and I took the kids to Washington D.C. on the train (out of Providence). We saw went to The National Archives and saw the great American documents - The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and The Bill of Rights. We also visited the World War II Memorial and The Lincoln Memorial and toured the Air & Space Museum.

I'm embarrassed to admit that it took me this long to visit our nation's capital, but the trip was a blast and something that every American should have a chance to do.

Dave Smith
President

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The Washington Monument as seen from the World War II Memorial

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The Smith Family heads out to D.C.

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The Air & Space Museum (Absolutely beyond cool for all gear heads)

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The original Wright Brothers airplane

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Saturn 5 rocket engine

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My son Adam in front one of the most impressive engines ever built

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Lincoln Memorial

[Dave Smith]

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Wisconsin pillar of World War II Memorial

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Nicole, Adam, and Madison Smith (L to R)

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Madison and Adam with original P-51 at the Air & Space Museum

[Someday I Suppose]

Dave, that is awesome and close to my heart. My dad had never been to DC, so as a father's day gift two years ago I planned a father son weekend and we went down that fall. It really is an amazing place and made for a great father son memory. Last year for Christmas I had a couple photo books printed up for each of us, I only wish I had that bright idea before the trip as I would have paid more attention to getting some good shots.

Did ya'll get a chance to go up into the Washington Monument? I had never been in it before that trip, so it was pretty cool to do. Air and Space of course is just awesome!

All the best

[65 Cobra Dude]

Dave,

Just being there makes you proud to be an American. It's an amazing place. Great pictures.

Henry

[Jack FFR1846]

It's a very good trip to make. We did this for a week last summer and I can honestly say that if we spent a month there, we still would not see everything we would want to. We toured the Capitol with an intern with one of our Senators (we had appointments in advance with both Senator's offices, just in case) and there is so much history and trivia that I'm sure I forgot 90% of it. You picked a good time of year. DC is quite hot in August!

[BLTFRDTUF]

Dave, Don't feel bad I'm from Baltimore and I've been to FFR as many times as I've been to DC. Both were historic just different kinds.

[PhyrraM]

Very cool Dave. I've never been either. Coincidentally, my wife and I are taking our ten year old boys to DC in the middle of June this year. We set aside two weekends and the week in between. I'm hoping it's enough time. I am looking forward to the Air and Space museum beyond measure. I'm into my 40s and just the thought of going to that part of the Smithsonian makes me schoolboy giddy. I'm sure I could spend all 9 days there if given the opportunity.

We have reserved a car for the trip, but many have told us to cancel it, as it's supposedly not needed. Possibly even a detriment. What does eveyone here think?

[mrmustang]

Dave,

Adam has "that look" , you know the one, like he is really saying "hey dad, when are we going to build one like this" :D

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Do we see a new line of kits coming from FFR in his future?


Bill S.

[Mustang Man]

If you get a car (we've driven up from FL each time so had the car already) find some all-day parking lot. DO NOT park in the street in front of the Smithsonian buildings. At 5pm the parking lane becomes a "driving" lane and they tow cars away with abandon, AND ticket you. Both trips to DC I got $100 parking tickets. Next time I go I'll take the train in from my brother's house! LOL

Mark

[Rodney]

We are planning a D.C. trip for summer vacation . My three boys are pumped about going.

[CapeCoralCobra]

We have reserved a car for the trip, but many have told us to cancel it, as it's supposedly not needed. Possibly even a detriment. What does eveyone here think?

A car could be a detriment. I lived about an hour away most of my life, we often took the motorcycle because it was easier to squeeze in somewhere. If not, we parked at the outlying Metro station and rode the Metro (subway in town, above ground in suburbs) in. June is a very busy month in DC, parking is at a premium, and public parking garages are expensive. If you are staying in downtown DC or near a Metro stop just outside the city, you won't need a car to see all the museums, memorials, etc. The Metro is pretty clean, well used, and has numerous stops in those areas.

Dave, DC is a great place for the kids -of all ages. I'm sorry to say we often took it for granted. Now that I've been in FL for 3 years, I miss being able to take a day trip like that. Not too many places in the country like DC.

[Bill Shaw]

We went over Spring Break too. Stayed at the Downtown Marriott, 2 blocks from the White House and walking distance to the Smithsonian. It cost $40/night to leave the car there. We parked the car for 2 days and got a hop on-hop off bus ticket, it worked out well.


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