We've had a reservation for a Capitol tour for about three months. We got up early on Monday to make sure we got there in plenty of time. We decided to drive to the Greenbelt Metro station, about 10 minutes from our RV spot. This, actually, worked out well. It really only took 10 minutes, and the drive was easy. We got on the Metro, zipped into town, and popped our heads out at the Capitol South Metro station.

By the time we walked through the visitors' entrance, it was only 10:00; our reservation was for 11:00. We asked someone where we should go, and she said we should just get in line for the next tour. We got into the 10:00 tour and were done by a little after 11:00. The first thing was a 15-minute film on the history of the capitol building. Then we got with a tour guide and went through a hallway, up some stairs, then the "crypt", which, actually, doesn't have a grave in it (it was intended for George Washington, but he's at Mt. Vernon), then into the rotunda, then the hall of statues, then back through the rotunda, down more stairs, through another hallway, and we were done. I guess I expected more, like the secret tunnel that the Representatives use to get to McDonald's on a rainy day. But it was still inspiring to see the rotunda where people like John Kennedy and Ronald Reagan lay in state.

We had an early lunch in the capitol cafeteria, then went through a secret tunnel to the Library of Congress. (Actually, it wasn't all that secret. There were signs all over the place directing people through the tunnel to the Library. It just felt so secret-y. I felt like Benjamin Franklin Gates. For those who don’t get it, Google it.) In the Library of Congress, we saw books (okay, a little too obvious). Specifically, we saw the Gutenberg Bible. We also saw the research room where Ben Gates and Riley Poole planned their heist of the Declaration (again, Google it).


Then it was off to the National Archives to see the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. I was amazed at how the signatures on the Declaration have faded over these 239 years (as of July 4th). You can see John Hancock's signature, but most below are unreadable. They don't allow taking photos in there, so you'll just have to take my word for it.






As it was a very hot and muggy day, we found a gelato shop about a block away and indulged ourselves.

Then back home to the RV (a very clean one, I might add) for dinner.