A Boyhood Dream Fulfilled: Space-Geek Tour of the USA

[Human]

There were two more stops before the end of the tour. First stop was the huge (7 acres) Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. The Memorial was interesting and notable for its two areas of focus. First, it focused on FDR’s amazing achievements – the New Deal, his other efforts to drag America out of the Great Depression, his efforts to support the Allies before America’s official entry into WWII, his accomplishments as a wartime President. There was a large block of land devoted to each of his 4 terms as President (yes, his fourth term only lasted a few months, but a lot was happening in 1945!).













The second focus of the Memorial was on FDR’s disability. He caught Polio in 1928 and was elected President in 1932 – so he accomplished everything as President from a Wheelchair. A passer-by whose son died from, I think, MS last year described the Memorial to the tour group as “a Mecca for people with disabilities”. The first thing a visitor sees is a statue of FDR in his personally-designed wheelchair, and the Memorial has a number of specific features designed to make it easy and welcoming for people with disabilities.

 

[Pushka]

It looks a fabulous tour.

 

[Human]

Our final stop was this place:


We couldn’t get too close, because it’s all set up for the Inauguration on January 20. It was amazing to see the Capitol itself, but also amazing to see it in “Inauguration mode”. It was incredible to be able to look across at the actual place where, next week, President Trump will swear the oath of office.







That was the end of the tour and, as the sun was setting, I decided to walk back to my hotel. The temperature had briefly reached a balmy 4 degrees Celsius during the day, and it was interesting to see that there was noticeably less ice and snow on the path.



My day had, once again, been incredible. I’d seen sights that for my whole life I’ve only seen on TV (and in the movies). I had been moved, inspired, humbled, provoked and stimulated. Once again, I cannot believe that I am so blessed as to be on this holiday.

And I now want to watch every episode of The West Wing all over again.

That’s a wrap on DC – tomorrow I fly to New York!

 

[Coathanger]

DC would have had a bit of a buzz with all the preparations for the inauguration next week, which is perfect for a memorable first visit.

The Lincoln Memorial is majestic and wonderfully lit at night. The planes passing on final approach to DCA were a bonus!

Really enjoyed The West Wing when it was running, and put DC on my must visit list.

 

[VPS]

Fantastic - brings back great memories of my Washington visit which was 1983 - your writing style and photos are excellent

 

[drron]

Fantastic - brings back great memories of my Washington visit which was 1983 - your writing style and photos are excellent

I didn't see you there. But in those days Aussies could still tour the White house. We had a tour booked but the US Embassy in Beirut was bombed and so crisis talks in the White House. So our tour became a tour of the Rose garden. We did see President Reagan stroll by at a distance.