Day 12: First Day in DC

(Tuesday) August 9

 Hey, we have this picture in our house! We did an hour-long "treasure hunt" in the National Gallery of Art, and everyone actually seemed to enjoy it. I always love a good art museum, and it was fun to see in person the prints that I bought at this museum so many years ago and have displayed in our home.

 We also went to the Air & Space Museum (actually spent most of the day there). Walking along the Mall is really long and tiring for little boys. Henry didn't want to take a nap without his trusty bike trailer, so it was a long day for him too.

We took the subway today—something I always love, and reminded me of the good old days when I commuted to my student teaching job in DC from Oakton, VA where we lived just after marriage.

Day 13: Biking in DC is Better

(Wednesday) August 10

15 miles (biking)

 Today we wised up and parked our car near the Reagan National Airport and rode our bikes into town. It was much nicer to have our bikes to help us travel up and down the Mall throughout the day.

 We did a tour of the Capitol through our state representative John R. Carter (who keeps a bread knife on his desk at all times—his staffers said he just likes to keep it handy—and a cowboy hat on his hat rack).

 Did you know the Supreme Court used to meet in the basement of the Capitol? Here it is . . .

 Our tour guide was an early childhood ed student who knew a lot of interesting facts about the Capitol—perfect for our lot.

 Proof for Henry that his parents took him places, even though he won't remember a thing.

 The Supreme Court. We met a British guy while taking this photo who didn't have much nice to say about our government. I welled up with righteous, but silent indignation!

 A dip in the pool to cool off at the Sculpture Garden.

 Museum of Natural History

 Atop the Washington Monument (they have an elevator, though we asked if we could take the stairs!)

Day 14: Monument Extravaganza

(Thursday) August 11

10 miles (by bike)

 So most of this seemed to be completely lost on our little Graham-a-rama ("I just want to go home and play with Joshua on the Wii!"). But we figure maybe someday when we show him the pictures he'll be grateful his parents took him to our nation's capital.

Pooped after a long day of monuments in the heat (but at least we had our bikes!): Arlington Cemetery, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam War Memorial, World War II Memorial, FDR Memorial, and Jefferson Memorial.

Day 15: Final Day in DC

(Friday) August 12

10 miles (by bike)

Today we peeked at the White House through the fence for a few minutes before the Secret Service cleared the sidewalk in preparation for the Greenbay Packers coming to meet the President. We were relegated to eating our lunch on the lawn, chatting with the Packers fans.

Then we went to the Museum of American History, where we got to see Julia Child's kitchen, attend a mock training session for the lunch counter sit-ins, and hold a replica of the Star Spangled Banner with about 100 people while we sang the national anthem. Proud to be an American!

Like the Cutler Cycletrek T-shirt? Rich had them specially designed for our trip, complete with our signatures, like we're celebrities. I certainly look like one, don't I?

In the evening we joined our old friends Mike & Katie Baird at their home in Reston, VA for dinner and swimming. We had missed them, and it was so fun to catch up with them and meet all five (!) of their kids.

Day 16: On The Road Again

(Saturday) August 13

Washington, DC to Jackson, TN

800 miles

 At Gravelly Point where you can watch the planes take off and land from Reagan International Airport.

 A giant THANK YOU to our hosts in Washington, D.C., the Johnsons. They were so generous and patient with us!

We took a quick photo stop on the way out of town at 2806 Chariton Street in Oakton, VA—the basement apartment of the Clegg's house, where we lived just after marriage. We lived here just four months while I did my student teaching at Banneker High School and Rich did an internship at ADTRAN. We also made little Isaac here. Awwwww.

Day 17: The Home Stretch

(Sunday) August 14
Jackson, TN to HOME
750 miles
We stopped in Memphis for church, and then plowed home. It felt so good to sleep in our own beds again! Our ducks were alive, and Texas has stayed constant with 100+ degree temperatures and still no rain. We're grateful for the nice break we had.

Total Biking Miles: ~170
Total Driving Miles: ~3,600

School Choice

Which school would you choose for your children?

This one:

Our vision is that every student is encouraged, supported, and challenged to achieve the highest levels of knowledge, skills, and character.

Or this one:

Our mission is to provide an invigorating educational environment that develops responsible citizens who can artfully navigate our complex world and enjoy a good life with others. Each student will engage in diverse investigations, disciplined inquiry, and integrated service learning to cultivate intercultural awareness, creativity and mental acuity. 

How much does a mission statement really have to do with my children's day-to-day education?

Is the "devil" that you know better than the "devil" that you don't know—even if the new "devil" looks pretty angelic?


Ah, the tyranny of choice. . . .