Journey #3

Hello and welcome to my blog! 

This Journey was called Speedway to the Presidents. This journey consisted of a lot of memorials and horrible weather. 

We started off by meeting at the Smithsonian Metro Station, after 20 minutes of looking fo each other, we found each other and headed to our first stop, the BEP (Bureau of Engraving and Printing). We went into the place, went through some security, then sat down and watched a video about the BEP and the process of making money (super cool) before going up a small escalator for the tour. The tour was interesting. We got to see in person, what we learned about in the video.

After the BEP we headed to the Jefferson Memorial, created in 1943 to honor Thomas Jefferson (founding father, president, and author of the Declaration of Independence). 

In the Memorial, there are quotes, my favorite is: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights, among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, that to secure these rights governments are instituted among men. We...solemnly publish and declare, that these colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent states...And for the support of this declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine providence, we mutually pledge our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." - The Declaration of Independence

After the Jefferson Memorial, we went to the MLK Memorial. That was an unpleasant walk, considering the weather. My new sneakers were drenched in water :(.

We then arrived to the MLK Memorial. Martin Luther King Jr. was a civil rights leader that is very, very well known, to this day. He gave the legendary "I have a dream" speech in 1963. He was assassinated 1968 :(.

Next we went to a series of steps between the Lincoln Memorial and the Potomac River (Watergate steps). Some ran up and down the steps, but knowing me, I would slip and fall. 

After a bit of fun here, we went to the Lincoln Memorial. It was built in 1922 to honor president Abraham Lincoln. 

We spent a while here, reading the quotes on the wall and hanging out in the bookstore inside of the memorial.

Next was the Reflecting Pool. We walked alongside it and...well...reflected on it. 

We walked all the way up to the Washington Monument. Here's a closer look at that. 

Last was the Mall. We didn't get to spend as much time as we would've like to there, due to the awful weather.

We decided to eat lunch after we were done, since we finished so early. Everything seemed to go smoothly. I'd say that it was a good day.