22.9.15 - Day 18. Tuesday - Washington, Whitehouse Visitors Centre, Whitehouse, Segway tour.

Up slowly and out to have a look at White House Visitors Centre and then look around. 

Inside the White House Visitors Centre.

Hey I am at the White House.

Plenty of different types of Police around, including Secret Service.

We viewed the White House from the South Lawn, preparations underway here for Papal visit too, with grandstands on the lawn and bunting etc. The Pope arrives at 4.00 and is meeting with Obama at 5.00.

White House South Lawn.

Through the fence with Lyn

Ornate fence finials.

looking to Washington Monument from White House.

Very shiny gold statue atop another memorial

The Memorial

Many flags flew with the black MIA/POW flag.

At about lunchtime at the World War II memorial, Lyn and I separated with plans to meet back at Hotel at 6.00.Lyn headed off towards the Lincoln Memorial and I headed back towards Washington Monument. 

On the way I came across a little sign indicating that what I had thought was some disrespectful graffiti behind the Wold War II memorial was in act intentional, so I headed back to take a picture, only to find a group of folk in Orange T shirts were actually a welcoming party for a large group of Vets – from WW II, Korea and Vietnam, some homeward bound group. 

It was very moving to watch these older men and women (some in wheelchairs) and their companions walking down into the memorial to be greeted by the Parks ranger and applauded by everyone. 

Kilroy

According to Wikipedia, Kilroy Was Here is an American popular culture expression, often seen in graffiti. Its origins are open to speculation, but recognition of it and the distinctive doodle of "Kilroy" peeking over a wall is known almost everywhere among U.S. residents who lived during World War II through the Korean War. He is difficult to find at the WWII Memorial but well worth the effort.

The Camden Cares people in orange T's

National Parks are responsible for all the monuments. This ranger was greeting each vet.

High fives, applause, some salutes too. Quite a few tears in most eyes.

Several had their service caps on.

Then I decided to explore the option of a Segway tour – phoned a company and booked myself for a tour hour tour at 2.30pm. 

So then I hotfooted past a few more monuments and stopped for brief walk around some of the Smithsonian Museum of American History – before reaching Hotel Harrington and swapping into backpack and offloading as much as I could. 

I caught a cab to the Segway tours office at 502, 23rd Street. Had a half smoke dog and drink for lunch before signing my life away. Watched the safety video with 7 others on the tour. 

The Pope is coming. Just IN CASE anyone didn't know.

We then had a short induction and training ride with Gabby our guide, before getting our own Segway – my was named Zimm.  A bit of time to practice in their small training area, it is all controlled with the feet, lean into toes to go forward, into heels to stop and reverse and lean left and right to turn. 

Gabby giving a demo. We did all wear helmets.

The tour was fabulous fun, fun, fun. I now want a Segway, but at $6K a pop, not likely. We rode on the road – which was a challenge, cos it all seems so wrong when turning corners, and some bikepaths. 

We saw heaps:

• Blair House – where visitors to the Whitehouse stay.
• Whitehouse North entrance
• Lafayette Square
• George Washington University, where Gabby is studying Env Studies.
• Executive House – which houses White House staffers
• Connie the Protester – a 96yo with a tent in front of White House, the only protestor allowed there by law. She is against Violence. Has been there for something like 33 years.
• Lincoln Memorial
• Reflecting Pool
• World War II memorial
• Washington Monument
• Korea Memorial

White House North Lawn.

Connie the Protester and her tent.

White House

The two Washingtonians and I in front of White House on our Segways.

I really like the lamp hanging in the portico.

More cops standing around.

Another monument.

Back to the World War II memorial, we stopped here for a break and look around.

The wall of stars.

stars up close.

Explanation of the stars.

One of the States.

Gabby was fantastic, so were the other 5 tourists and 2 locals – fabulous way to get around and see heaps. Did suffer a little “seg leg”, but able to move around and stretch it out. 

The Segways are speed limited to 10mph, at which point the handlebars start to pull you back, forcing you onto heels, which slows it down.

This building signifies Dove wings - Dove being the symbol of peace.

Then I decided to walk home, via many of the same sites again, for photo opportunities. 

I visited Korea Memorial, Reflecting pool with birds, Washington Monument, Albert Einstein Statue and general wander around. Went a bit out of the way on return, saw some protesters, and some churchy folk singing in the park, a homeless couple and their pet squirrel “Smokey” he was much blacker than other squirrels I had seen.

Albert and I.

Marine One, President coming to meet the Pope... probably not but a good story and I was in the right location for it to be true.

Another memorial, this one to the women who cared.

A squirrel reflected in the puddle he is drinking from.

Better reflections later in the day.

Looking from Lincoln Memorial past the WW II Memorial to the Washington Monument

The Korean Memorial, Australia gets a mention.

There are 19 statues, whose faces are reflected in the wall of faces. Everywhere you stand in and around the memorial it is said there is a face watching you. It worked for me.

19 figures standing amongst the ground cover.

Geese and ducks enjoy the Reflecting pool.

All this stuff around in preparation for Pope.

US, Papal and  District of Columbia flags.

The Daughters of American Revolution building also had a lantern under the veranda.

The lion at the Corcoran.

The Executive Building, with Papal Flag also.

Black ops atop the White House.

Connie was looking all of her 96 years old when I came back later in the day.

That lantern.

The security on the roof, you can also see two tripods, not sure if they were guns or cameras.

Layfayette cannons and the White House.

Smokey the black squirrel

Some bloke cleaning the doorway.

Flags outside our "Tourist Hotel"

Back to Hotel about 7pm, shower, then tea at Hard Rock Café, home for packing, journal and bed in preparation for 5am wake up and out to Dulles Airport for 7.50am flight to LA.