7-22-19 Washington DC IV

In the course of our discussions regarding our days in DC, we concluded that our goal to see all the state capitols would not be complete unless we also caught the US capitol.  Rob began that investigation and found that we needed a reservation and tour passes.  He also found that you have to get about a 6-month head start on that.  Well, that was discouraging.  Rob continued to dig until he found a tour on Monday, July 22, that still had two slots available.  We snapped them up.  On July 22, we were old hats at using the metro line.  We jumped on, made our train transfers and were in line right on schedule, 15 minutes early, just as instructed.

Plaster mold of the
Statue of Freedom

Statue of Freedom atop
the Capitol dome

If there were one there were a thousand people in different tour groups being herded along our restricted route in the Capitol.  The first thing we encountered was the original 6.5 ton plaster model of The Statue of Freedom which was used to cast the bronze one that is now atop the Capitol Dome.  It was sculpted by Thomas Crawford in 1857.  An enslaved craftsman, Philip Reid, oversaw the bronze casting and assembly process and by the time it was installed on the capitol dome, December 2, 1863, he was an emancipated free man.

We entered “The Crypt.”  This was the room that was intended to hold the tombs of George and Martha Washington.  She said, “No, thanks.”  So The Crypt sits empty.

The Crypt

We then came to Statuary Hall a gigantic circular room with a beautifully-painted dome.  On the dome at the center is a mural with important people like Greek gods and George Washington is included.  I think it represents George ascending into Heaven or something.  Around the sides of the room are marble and bronze statues of important people.  Each US state has two statues in the Capitol Building located in various places.  Nevada’s statues are Sarah Winnemucca and Patrick Anthony McCarran.  (California’s are a tax collector and an illegal immigrant.)

Rob in Statuary Hall

Statuary Hall

This is an early version of our
Statue of Liberty, created in 1831.

Dome mural

George W's Ascension into Heaven?

The Capitol rotunda, our next stop, is where Ronald Reagan and other Presidents have lain in state.  Now, the rotunda is empty except for the statues.  That was the end of our tour.  UNLESS…..

Lindy at Ted Cruz's office

…we had a pass to go into the House and Senate Galleries.  We learned that we could obtain one from our Senator in the Senate Russell building.  We walked there (in the oppressive heat and humidity) and found Ted Cruz’s office. 

Meredith Jones and Lindy

To my surprise, there sat Meredith Jones!  She is the chick I have been communicating with since January to acquire the White House tickets!  I introduced myself and she gave me an immediate smile of recognition.  She was happy to provide us with passes to the Senate and House Galleries.  We strolled back to the Capitol Building and found ourselves in an endless line of people and multiple check points.  At the final one, we had to empty our pockets and turn over all of our belongings, phone, camera and anything else we had on our person besides our undies.  It took us an hour to get to the head of the line to enter the House Chambers.  We sat in the Gallery for five minutes and that was that.  Did we go to the Senate Chambers?  No, I don’t think so, Tim.  What a waste of time.

When we returned to Cherry Hill Park, the Farmall tractor was pulling a “hay wagon” around the park.  For fun, we grabbed a beer and hopped on.  A great way to wrap up our fun in Washington DC. - continued

"Hay Ride" around Cherry Hill Park