Annapolis and Washington D.C.

We flew via Chicago (what a lovely airport) to Washington D.C. where we had our case replaced by the airline and picked up another rental car. Yet again we were relieved to have the GPS unit on board. And even more, I was relieved to be able to breathe properly and not have my heart racing. The altitude and dryness of Utah had not suited my body, so used to sea-level dwelling.

Annapolis, where we stayed for two nights, was very beautiful. Maryland is green, especially after the late winter greyness of Utah. The houses are amazing - palatial in places. The historic town of Annapolis is full of well presented historic buildings, with mostly tourist -focused shops. It was rather reminiscient of Akaroa, but on a much larger scale. We had seafood there at a buffet, which was fine, though the clam chowder was very nice.

Our day in Washington was outstanding. The weather was bright and clear and sunny with blue, blue sky but not too hot. We went first to the Washington DC temple in the northwest of the city, then drove in to Arlington National cemetary where we left the car for the day. We took a tour of the cemetary, which was a moving experience, even for us non-natives. The rest of the day we took a bus, then walked, and visited the Library of Congress, and the outsides of the Capitol, White house, Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial. The whole place was beautiful. As I sat on the steps of the Capitol and gazed down the Mall at the Lincoln Memorial was when it dawned on me that we were really there, in this place we had seen so often in film, television and news reports.