Jim's Trip to Washington D.C.

Jim was able to spend a day in Washington D.C. in May. He's wanted to go there for so long and see the historical sites. He got to tour the city from the top of a double-decker bus.


Union Station


The Capitol building where Congress meets.


The mall from the front steps of the Capital


The view from directly underneath the Capital Dome.


This is a copy of the Declaration of Independence that is hung in the room that was originally the floor of the House of Representatives or the Senate. (He couldn't remember which.) There was an identical frame of the Constitution on the other side of the room.


A statue of Thomas Jefferson holding the Declaration of Independence


Jim and a statue of Ronald Reagan


The Washington Monument! One cool fact: on the very top where no-one can see it are written the words. "Laus Deo!" which means "Praise be to God!"



Just before going to the Jefferson Monument spent about 4 hours in the galleries of the House and the Senate watching what was going on. He wasn't too impressed and was actually very disappointed. Then he went straight to the Jefferson Monument and it almost brought him to tears!

Jefferson Monument


There were quote on the walls surrounding the Thomas Jefferson Monument. These are some of the quotes that Jim loved.

"I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times. We might as well require a man to wear still the coat which fitted him when a boy as civilized society to remain ever under the regimen of their barbarous ancestors."

"God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God? Indeed I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just, that his justice cannot sleep forever. Commerce between master and slave is despotism. Nothing is more certainly written in the book of fate than that these people are to be free. Establish a law for educating the common people. This it is the business of the state and on a general plan."

"Almighty God hath created the mind free. All attempts to influence it by temporal punishments or burthens . . . are a departure from the plan of the Holy Author of our religion . . . No man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship or ministry or shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief, but all men shall be free to profess and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of religion. I know but one code of morality for men whether acting singly or collectively."

A neat statue of Benjamin Franklin. I'm not sure what the building is, though.


The Navy Memorial


One of the random artistic pieces around the city -- either that or an aluminum foil factory plant exploded.


Jim was thrilled to find a statue of himself in Washington D.C. . . . but, what's with the horse?


Jim was sad that the kids and I couldn't be there with him (and we were too). Someday we will all have to go to Washington D.C. as a family and learn more about the history of our great nation!