Washington DC -Day 3

Museum of American History


Today we walked through the National Mall (Smithsonian's). We visited the Museum of American History which took up all day. We saw Julia Child's kitchen to trains and the ORIGINAL star-spangled banner. We were only allowed to take pictures in certain areas. The rooms had barely any lights because the clothing (linens/threads) would fall apart and the important documents would fade away.

We also saw the Bill of Rights, Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and the Magna Carta. When looking at the Declaration I realized that they spelled "Pennsylvania" wrong and 3 of the original 13 colonies didn't even sign the document. The Magna Carta was cool to see after learning so many details about it in History class! Today we walked everywhere and learned lots. All in all today was a good day.





Steps walked today: 8294

Washington DC -Day 2

Gettysburg


Even though it is only the 2nd day of vacation, it was by far my favorite day! We got up and drove for a while. All the way up to Gettysburg. It was really pretty along the way but I fell asleep yet again. Once I woke up the sights were astonishing! The tree leaves were changing colors. Some were green, some were red and yellow, some were orange and brown.









Then we arrived to Gettysburg around 3 O'clock. We went to the museum on the battle field. In the museum we watched a film and saw the cyclorama. The cyclorama was my favorite because I didn't want to go at first; because I had recently learned about it in History class. (Cyclorama- 360 panoramic; painted in 1884, 20 years after the battle took place;painted in less then a year)

My Experience:
Learning about History in a book makes it seem unreal. But, once you go on a trip, and experience it it becomes a story. Learning about everything today made me realize how much I don't listen to my teacher or what the books tell us. Standing and looking at the cyclorama made me understand all the casualties of war. The bombs were fired left and right, gun powder so thick you couldn't see in front of you face, men falling down by the thousands, general shouting orders, horses strucken dead bu bullets. Once the 3 gruesome days were over the wounded crowded into homes; turned into hospitals. Over time many died from infections, many survived though too. The war continued, but we were once again a Union.



We made our way to Washington D.C. later today. As the clock stricks midnight it is time for me to get to bed. *Turns off lights*

Steps walked today: 3873

GOODNIGHT MY BRAVE SOLDIERS!

Washington DC -Day 1

Pennsylvania- Steelers game

We left LAX Airport at 10:45 on Saturday night. I was really hyper at the airport but as soon as we got onto the airplane I hit a state of exhaustion. Me and Kody say next to each other on the plane (our seats were across from the bathroom). As soon as the pilot took away the seat belt sign away...A never ending stream of light hit our face. Door open, door close, door open, door close, almost asleep, drunk guy hits our chairs, uses bathroom, doesn't close door... common sense people. I mean really you can't shut a door?

Kody feel asleep on my shoulder, It made me feel important and needed. We landed in North Carolina at 5:30am. We had a 2 hour lay-over before we got on our connecting flight to Pennsylvania. Sure enough we fell asleep on that 1 hr and 30 min flight.


Once we got our rental car we drove for 20 minutes (I fell asleep once again) to Heinz Stadium (Pittsburgh Steelers). Once we there, we saw thousands and thousands of people. The tail-gate parties were crazy! There were over 20 LARGE parking lots filled with them. Everyone attending the game was dressed in their own personal take on the Steelers attire. People had their face's painted (including Kody),
crazy suits, hats that even made them look crazy.

We sat in front of this family, they were "true" fans as you could say. Every call they had some input. Bad Call- "Boo ref you suck" or "Dirty Raiders!" Plus, their daughter would repeats the mom's EVERY word. Good Call- "Finally ref" or "Go Steelers!" It got old really fast.


As we were walking to a restaurant after the game for dinner, My dad dropped his "terrible towel" and these drunk ladies grabbed it and ran up to him. The ladies kept repeating and slurring the words, " Sir, sir, sir! You, you dropped your to-towel." We get it he dropped his towel. Is it really that hard to ask you to stop drinking beer so you can talk! But, it was really funny and I thought they were going to fall over.

We walked to "Jerome Bettis Grill 36", which was packed (no surprise there). We ended up eating dinner at a steakhouse called "Hyde Park." My dad said (quote) "This is the best steak I've ever had!" And we all tried each others food; which made it all the better. Dinner was delicious!


As the day comes to a close, we are all worn out; the 3 hours time difference sucks, the football game was a blast, and dinner was great! So good night California and hello Washington D.C.

Step walked today: 5890

Civil War Re-enactment

Had a fun day with the family today! We went to Moorpark for a Civil War re-enactment. We saw all the guns, sabers(swords), and canons; blare for hours at a time! We got to see Abraham Lincoln
gave a speech called the Gettysburg Address and General Custer
talked about his great triumphs and failures. For a man who failed in the act of trying to free our country; is a pretty decent man I would say. Even though he lead thousands of men to their death and will be considered a fool in the History books for the rest of time; he will be a hero for the dedication and effort he put in.








Today was such a good day for me to take pictures! I took some great pictures that showed the simple facts of war. War is a place where men and women are fighting for us. We may have been to scared to fight oursleves but the sacrafices they make for us show the heart the have for their country. Whether they return home or not they will know what they have done for us and I hope we can all realize how important they are to us. Please, come home safely <3

My Photography: