Capitol Hill and the sign that Isabel has done enough walking for the day

The Hope Diamond - somehow thought it would be bigger or shinier

Flag that flew over the Pentagon 9/11

Science Class at the Museum of American History - go figure why at this museum?

Washington Memorial - where are the windows?

... and the Tourists

The White House

Day 10 - June 14

After a magnificent breakfast we once again donned the hiking shoes and trekked to the White House. The Secret Service were in force on the roof obviously scanning the crowd as we posed for the obligatory tourist photos in front of the famous building.

Not for the first time this trip we didn’t have a firm plan so headed to the Mall and a day of museums. The American History museum was the first. Liam enjoyed a science lesson, donning the laboratory glasses and playing with dried ice whilst learning about CO2. Before we knew it three hours had passed. We lunched before heading to the Natural History Museum. Dinosaurs, stuffed mammals, live insects and The Hope Diamond were among the great exhibits. Two museums down only 12 to go!!

Mirrors

Isabel and her new puppy

New York squirrel

Our Hotel - looking back over the Hudson

World Financial Centre

Day 9 - June 13

Last day in NY. A very difficult start to the morning after spending the previous evening in Times Square. I ended up catching a late movie and without the trusty guide book managed to navigate most of the Subway system, making it as far as the Bronx before finding my way to the correct station. The subway at that time of the morning is a most interesting place. Ever wonder how they get rid of the garbage from New York each evening?

We had some time to kill so walked around the edge of South Manhattan before finding a small park with views of the Statue of Liberty and had lunch. Isabel promptly returned the lunch all over my legs – someone has to feed the squirrels!

AMTRAK was once again the transport of choice. A kind porter grabbed our luggage and sneaked us onto the platform ahead of the crowd. A very comfortable rail trip and I watched the Wallabies and Samoa which I had downloaded the previous evening.

Washington DC greeted us with an afternoon thunder and lightning display which made taxi the most obvious way of reaching our hotel. A late night wander revealed we were only 10 minutes from the White House.