TAHG Day 9

Our group began our final day in D.C. by touring the Capitol and Library of Congress.  Both buildings are stunningly beautiful.  The architecture is amazing.  We stood on the star in the middle of the entire building.  They give tours by putting headphones on everyone in the small group and a microphone on the docent.  That way, wherever we go, we can hear our guide.  It's pretty cool, and I wish I had that technology in my class room.  I think I would have enjoyed the tour more is it hadn't been so crowded, but that's tourism.  The Library of Congress is incredible.  I would love to move in and explore for about a month.  Wow, wow, wow.

This star sits in the exact center of the Capitol.

 

Rotunda in the Capitol

Library of Congress

Luis, Scott, Sandy, Natashia and I ended our trip by walking the Mall a final time.  We stopped in the American History Museum so the girls could see the Star Spangled Banner.  It never gets old staring at that 200 year old flag, especially since we just came from Ft. McHenry.

The drive to Gettysburg was beautiful.  The rolling hills of Amish Country make for nice eye candy.  Gettysburg is a quaint, fun old town.  Michael's aunt recommended a 1950s style diner called Lincoln Diner, so 13 of us headed there for dinner.  The food was great, but nothing beat the deserts.  Twelve of us ordered desert with the intention of taking a bite and passing the plate.  We tasted a brownie sundae, a banana sundae, Boston Cream Pie, Banana Cream Pie, Cherry Pie, Coconut Cake, House Cake, Tiramisu, Black Forest Cake, eclairs, Chocolate Cream Pie, and Lemon Pie.  Sara claimed that she is convinced this is exactly what Heaven will be like.  We'll all sit around at meals, and Jesus will say, "Keep passing the desserts!" We always teach our students that sharing is caring, and tonight proved that point very well.  The laughter that poured from our table would have cheered the weariest of souls tonight.  I am so blessed with amazing friends and the opportunity to learn and travel like this.  It's a beautiful thing!

Me with Sara

 

12 empty homemade dessert dishes

To keep the sugar coma at bay, we walked through the shops that were still open.  Many were touristy, but one made me especially happy.  It was full of hand made leather wallets, hats, boots, and belts.  The smell was so sweet!  Between the leather and the sweet tobacco smells from the cigar shop a few doors down, the evening air was just delightful for my nose. 

I don't want to go home a week from tonight!