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.