Mission Impossible
Greeted by a cooler, sunny, breezy morning, we all felt refreshed and ready to finish the trip on a high note.
Cases packed and zipped, we had room inspection either Arlington style or Obama style, loaded the cases onto the coach and headed for a hearty breakfast, all before 7:30. What a team!

The coach rolled out of the driveway for the last time and we headed downtown to the Jefferson Memorial. Again, we seemed to beat the crowds and read extracts from the Declaration of Independence and admired the elegance and beauty of the building and its surroundings on the Tidal  Basin.

The Spy Museum was a signature visit . We took on an alternative identity, learned the art of disguise, intrigue and deception, explored an airvent and learned more about the real spies from past times.

After a busy lunch at the Pentagon Mall, we headed off for the final visit of the trip to the Washington National Cathedral. Our charming and expert docent lead us through the nave to view the amazing stained glass windows and other unique parts of the building. It is increible to think that it took only 10 years to build in comparison the some of the European cathedrals that took 100 years. We hope that it will soon be repaired to its former glory after the damage by the earthquake last year.

Little did we know as we trooped onto the coach for the journey to Dulles airport that this was to be one of the most eventful hours of the trip.
The Beltway had ground to a halt and we crawled and inched forward with eyes glued to our watches. What should have been a 45 minute hop stretched painfully to almost two hours.
Calls were made to alert the airline and all we could do was hope and prepare for a whirlwind departure from the coach and arrival at the United desk.
With 50 mintes to spare, we thought we could do it! This was without reckoning that United was not as up to speed with things as we were.
Cutting a long story short,  we managed to persuade United that rerouting 46 passengers would be far more painful and expensive than simply delaying the plane for 40 minutes. Kudos to everyone for the sprint to  secuity and the  gate.
Breathing a sigh of relief as all 46 flopped  into seats, we were rewarded by learning that our delay had actually caused a reroute that would get us to Seattle earlier than the original time.

Tired, but proud, we flowed up the escalator in Seattle to tumultuous and well-deserved applause from our families and friends.
We have all grown in many ways, personally, socially, as well as academically.

Thank you for your trust in us. We did not let you down.

Signing out for the last time.

The DC Explorers 2012

So we close our final full day in DC ... The kids are packed for the trip home and off to sleep. But let's start at the beginning ...

This morning we awoke to clouds, but no rain. An unexpected delight as we headed off to the Roosevelt Memorial. It is an extraordinary sculpture garden -- four discreet spaces that mark the many events during FDR's four terms as president. Each section has quotes carved into the stone from speeches made during that term and other sculptures and waterfalls that reflect those times. The waterfall during WWII was quite turbulent. Upon leaving the final section, each student had to memorize the final quote, "Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want and Freedom from Fear," and recite it to their chaperone. They loved the memorial and that race to memorize the words.

We then moved on to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. It too had quotes from speeches on the wall and it was wonderful to watch the kids read and absorb each one. It was a very powerful memorial. If you haven't seen it, it is an impressive stone mountain (Mountain of Despair ) with a center section pushed forward (the Stone of Hope). Dr. King's likeness is carved into that center section looking off toward the Lincoln Memorial. The inscription walls flank the two mountain sections behind him.

We then had "free choice." The kids selected from four offerings: the Air and Space Museum, the Hirshhorn Museum, the Library of Congress or the National Portrait Gallery's History of Video Games exhibit. And off we went. Two hours later, we met again and everyone reported to have had a great time. This writer went to the Hirshhorn and I can personally report that those thirteen kids had a blast. The outer rings of the museum held fantastic interactive and light displays and the inner ring was full of sculptures and other works that engaged each of them.

We then went off to a great lunch and on to Mount Vernon. Mount Vernon went through a major renovation a few years ago and they did a wonderful job. The house probably looks exactly as it did when Washington lived there (which is the point of a good renovation) and the new museum is educational, interactive and truly interesting. We even got to see a short film on General Washington's three most famous battles in a 4D theater -- complete with rumbling, cannon fire and snow. The kids were thrilled.

Then the rain came. It was perfect timing for we were finished with our outdoor activities and it was time for some rain  to wash the humidity and pollens from the air. So while that clean-up progressed outside, we boarded the bus with our boxed dinners and headed for home, a bit of rec-time, packing and finally bed.

And tomorrow is another big day. We will visit the Spy Museum, the National Cathedral and ... wait for it ... HOME!!! See you soon ... The DC Explorers.

Magical Mystery Tour

What began as a normal, slightly grey and humid Tuesday turned out to be the highlight of our trip to date(though we doubt we can top it.)
A nifty drive downtown by Ernest (coach driver) brought us to the gate of the visitors' entrance of the White House just at the right time. We learned much about patience and the statues around us as we snaked through the holding lines to check that we knew our names and birthdays before entering the famous abode.
Having a couple of non American citizens in the group held us up slightly, but led to a great advantage and adventure. By the time we entered the first hallway, we ground to a halt and veiwed the scene ahead; total non movement. Imagine our delight and surprise when we werer offerd two choices:. go ahead with the self tour as planned or participate in a special secret event that would be taking place in 20 minutes.
To cut a long story short, we sweated and waited in a small crowded hallway and were then ushered  through patio doors to the private gardens outside. There we lined up at a small fenced area facing the Ellipse. We were warned that a helicopter would be landing soon and to hold on to anything that may fly away in a hurricane force wind. "Clap and wave only, no cheering" was the direction.....................was this to be the President himself???
By the line up of security personnel and photographers we knew it was going to be WONDERFUL!
Barely containing our urge to cheer and shout, the helicpoter landed, we waited some more and then.................................see below.

oh, and by the way, we finished with a tour and met...

As if that was not enough excitement for the day, we went on what we thought was going to be a run-of-the-mill tour of the capitol Building and Senate. In keeping with our past history of acheiving the impossible, \Katherine introduced us to her cousin who just happens to work in the Office of the Speaker ( this, after only a couple of off-chance calls.) 

After surrendering our headsets  to Brian( who imagines himself not as a tour guide , but rather the most hilarious comedian on the planet) we waited in the Rotinda to see what would transpire. What did transpire was a personal vist to the Office of the Speaker and a photo opportunity on the balcony overlooking the Mall, reserved only for presidents and other dinitaries.

FREEDOM IS NOT FREE

After a night of sound sleep we awoke rested and ready to tackle a new day.
It seems that we have a comfortable rhythm established to get everyone in one place at the right time with the things they need;quite an achievement in just 48 hours.

The Korean Veterans' Memorial is as stunning in the day as it is at night, even more so when 'viewed' with hands and hearts instead of simply eyes and cameras. 19 stainless steel statues standing over seven feet tall in full kit make for an impressive sight. They inspired deep and thoughtful questions:  "I wonder how the communications soldiers felt, knowing that they were likely to be picked off or targeted first?" was one reponse(Dylan)

The walk to the Vietnam Veterans'Memorial was stymied by extensive recostruction to rebuild the Reflecting Pool but it did not diminish the awe and wonder we felt as we scanned the columns and columns of names, over 58,000 in total.The silence and reverence was palpable as we searched for the all too small number of names recorded as found alive or returned after MIA. Ask your child when he/she returns about how he/she felt as the wall soared and diminished in an elegant wave before his/her eyes.

A short drive to the Newseum was rewarded with almost two hours of conversation, the sharing of stories, and viewing of pictures. Our chaperones shared their own vignettes about such events as September 11th, the WTO Protests in Seattle, the Challenger Disaster, and the Elections of 2000 and 2008.  The headlines, news clippings, and photographs sparked wonderful questions and brought us closer to helping us understand the importance of free speech, a free press, and the lessons we can learn from the mistakes and opportunities from the past.   


As a final note, Farhan, Elena, Cristina, and Healey were splendid ambassadors for The Bush School at the Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier this afternoon. 

We hope to have some personalized photographs featuring students uploaded to our blog tomorrow.

Goodnight.

After a slow start, we soon got up to speed to have another wonderful day. The Lincoln Memorial shone pristine and clean in the pale morning sunlight as we admired the Gettysburg Address and took photos beside the sedate Lincoln. The crowds weren't heavy so the kids were able to get up close and spend time absorbing both the President and his speeches that flank the side walls. They also noted the spot on the front steps from which Dr. King gave his "I have a Dream" speech and imagined what that would have been like to speak at such a time in American history and to do so before a crowd of thousands.

Our next stop, the National Archives, did not disappoint; being first in line created the opportunity for peaceful exploration of our nation's most important documents. We also caught a short film that hightlighted how the documents are used today to both remember and define the past as we employ primary sources for interpretation and study. We also learned their importance in shaping the future as it addressed patents etc.

Lunch at the Old Post Office refueled us for the afternoon ahead. Groups chose from three main galleries (The Presidents, First Lady Dresses and the Star Spangled Banner) to explore in the Museum of American History. Our two hour time frame allowed most groups to see all three main galleries as well as many others including an expansive one of US military history. We all flopped exhausted at the marble entrance after our hours of intense study. We are totally impressed by how much they remembered about events and people we have studied!

Our feet ached from several hours of padding around on marble and concrete, so we made a truncated stop at the Museum of Natural History. Groups again split up to see the exhibits that students had previously selected. Most of us had time after that initial stop to tour the gems and geology wing -- if it hadn't been our group's first choice. Apparently the Hope Diamond is valued at as little as $200,000 and as much as $250,000,000. Many of us made selections from the gem display for our next birthday gift to a friend.

 We then returned to the 4 H Center for some well deserved R & R. There were basketball games, volleyball games and tag in the field outside while friendly battles at air hockey and pool raged in Rec Room. Everyone had a great time before dinner. We then said farewell to Grant Burwash during dinner and wished him a safe journey home. How kind of him to take time from from his new baby and family to get to know the Bush Community.

A short class meeting, a bit of recap, a small writing excercise (this is school afterall) and early bed at 9:30 for beauty sleep all around. Good night, All! We'll share our adventures again with you tomorrow.

What an amazing group of students we have!
Compliments were flowing from fellow passengers on the flight about how well we did.
Markel arrived safe and sound from his solo adventure and met us at the Air and Space Museum at Dulles.
Who would have thought that the space shuttle Discovery was so large and impressive. This poor ship shows signs of great  wear yet a sense of majesty in the shabbiiness was evident.
Dinner at the 4h center met all expectations, as did the rec room and play fields.The layers of dirt and sheen of sweat was a sign of a grand evening. Bed at 9:30,  ready for another busy day tomorrow. Hopefully, we will have a photo or two to share; connection issues at the 4h have meant a late night writing session.
We send our good thoughts across the miles.
The fifth grade students, teachers and parents

Goodnight

Our spirits are not dampened by the grey day.

Notebooks are finished!