A tour of the Capitol building was one thing that I did schedule in advance. And, surprisingly, this ended up being one of our favorite parts of the Washington D.C. trip.
Trying to capture the iconic profile.
Passing by the Supreme Court building across the street--one building we did not have time to try to investigate. But we were sure aware of the hubbub surrounding the nominations going on at that time!
?!
Did I mention it was really hot in D.C.? And yet somehow we were never overwhelmed with heat. Maybe because, like this security dog, we tried to stay hydrated. One thing I will say for our nation's capitol: lots of drinking fountains. Normally we carry water bottles with us, but some buildings--like the Capitol building--don't allow water bottles to be brought in, so we had to rely upon drinking fountains. We made a rule that when you see a drinking fountain and a bathroom you use them. That practical habit stayed with us the whole rest of the road trip around the US!
Statuary all around. I didn't know that each state gets to have two statues in the building, depicting their chosen heroes of the state. Sometimes a state will change its mind as public views swing, and will swap out one statue for another--looking around, it was pretty clear to me which were more recent additions (female, ethnic, black American, etc.--I'd love to be wrong about any of those!) and it was fun to analyze the states' choices. Some were famous figures we recognized, and some we'd never heard of but who I'd love to research. Some were surprising--and some were especially beautiful. Here is a link if anyone wants to look them up with me.
Not a great pic, but just quick documentation one of my favorite things from our long road trip; throughout the US, anytime we were on a tour, Smiley would always make his way through the crowds to the side of the park ranger or tour guide leading us. I loved that--not only did he always hear everything said, but he was demonstrating his enthusiasm for the experience. And it was adorable, since he would chat with the guide along the way. : )
First view of the Rotunda.
But our guide argued that this painting, depicting George Washington resigning the Presidency, reflects the most important moment in American history--when Washington chose not to become a new American king, and gave up all the power because he didn't want it, and because he knew doing so would be best for our country. So that totally made me cry, for several reasons. Washington was, I believe, a Divinely appointed leader. He was certainly not a perfect man--his roles and actions during the French & Indian wars certainly disappoint our modern idealism of him--but he was the perfect leader for that moment in our nation's history. Maybe because I've been so aware of God's Provision and Timing on this trip, but I felt strongly that day, considering the guide's argument, that Washington was a rare leader, in spirit a servant-leader, and God put him into position at just the moment when our fledgling nation needed him.
(And yes, that logic then supposes that God desired the creation of the U.S., which is why He would rise up a Washington to help make it happen. I do believe this is true, and that America at her best is a tool for God's work in the world. At her worst. . . sigh. Lord, please continue to raise up the leaders we need to be a tool of your Love and Mercy and Justice in the world.)
I also cried because I seriously love when politically liberal Americans get all emotional & patriotic, like me. : ) I'm familiar with such expressions from the conservative community--our travels through the U.S. were fascinating for comparing different areas of the country with their political expressions and values--but don't see them as much from the liberal community, and in the midst of the currently depressing level of animosity between "sides," I love seeing expressions that show we still have a core connection and some common values that may yet keep us united.
(I've been contemplating if patriotism manifests differently in different political ways of thinking--and one reason why the opposite sides have a hard time understanding one another, notably why conservatives accuse liberals of being un-patriotic, is simply because patriotism means different things to each group, and is thus expressed in ways that the other might not recognize or identify with. But maybe they have the same core? Might be helpful to recognize this, if true--would help build bridges.)
(Final side note--my favorite July Fourth celebration is Wilder Ranch State Park there north of Santa Cruz, because they read aloud the Declaration and we together raise the flag and say the pledge and I get all weepy for that moment of unity, in such an uber-liberal and anti-Christian area. In that moment we are not any specific religious or political affiliation or any other label that can serve to separate us--we are just Americans, united in celebration of that common identity.)
(And yes, that logic then supposes that God desired the creation of the U.S., which is why He would rise up a Washington to help make it happen. I do believe this is true, and that America at her best is a tool for God's work in the world. At her worst. . . sigh. Lord, please continue to raise up the leaders we need to be a tool of your Love and Mercy and Justice in the world.)
I also cried because I seriously love when politically liberal Americans get all emotional & patriotic, like me. : ) I'm familiar with such expressions from the conservative community--our travels through the U.S. were fascinating for comparing different areas of the country with their political expressions and values--but don't see them as much from the liberal community, and in the midst of the currently depressing level of animosity between "sides," I love seeing expressions that show we still have a core connection and some common values that may yet keep us united.
(I've been contemplating if patriotism manifests differently in different political ways of thinking--and one reason why the opposite sides have a hard time understanding one another, notably why conservatives accuse liberals of being un-patriotic, is simply because patriotism means different things to each group, and is thus expressed in ways that the other might not recognize or identify with. But maybe they have the same core? Might be helpful to recognize this, if true--would help build bridges.)
(Final side note--my favorite July Fourth celebration is Wilder Ranch State Park there north of Santa Cruz, because they read aloud the Declaration and we together raise the flag and say the pledge and I get all weepy for that moment of unity, in such an uber-liberal and anti-Christian area. In that moment we are not any specific religious or political affiliation or any other label that can serve to separate us--we are just Americans, united in celebration of that common identity.)
Waxing politic. Hey, what's to be expected from a trip to D.C.?
Did I mention we were listening to the musicals 1776 and Hamilton on the road trip? Both very good in their own ways, and great for discussion--but the song One Last Time
in Hamilton, when Washington announces he is stepping down, is one of my favorites. I wonder if Lin-Manuel Miranda had the same tour guide as we did when he was researching for the musical. ; )
Our guide showed his liberal bent when he essentially apologized for these friezes, which are no longer considered P.C. for how they depict the first interactions of European whites and Native Americans. I don't support erasing our history, but definitely taking a good, contemplative look at it.
Inside the old Senate Chamber.
Passing the chambers of the Speaker of the House.
In Statuary Hall.
Father Junipero Serra!
Gorgeous.
Gorgeous--what a beautiful, creative way to depict an engineer. Not sure it is accurate to the man himself, but definitely one of my favorite statues there.
I seriously love analyzing the different statues. This one is fabulously dynamic.
"I'm just a bill, yeah I'm only a bill, and I'm sitting here on Capitol Hill."
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