Capital, Capitol Part II

The History Department Trip to Washington, DC was an absolute blast! Once we look past the incredibly early mornings and the soggy weather that accompanied the trip, I am so glad that I went. We left Erie at 6am Thursday, and rolled into our hotel in College Park, MD around 1:30.

About 2:30, we took the Metro into Washington. This is myself, and my friends Courtney and Sarah waiting for the Red Line. After I overcame my fear that the Metro was in fact a flying metal death machine, I was able to enjoy the convenience of mass transit. It took us into DC, where we started at the Air and Space Museum.

We were able to roam about the Capital as we wished, but that night a HUGE thunderstorm hit DC! It was bad, it apparently caused a tornado outside of the District. The three of us, however, were able to skedaddle to the Jefferson Memorial to take cover. It was actually really cool, watching the storm from inside the memorial. Here's a picture of the storm:

It was nasty. Everyone on our trip was okay, but some got very, very wet and a little shaken by all the lightning and thunder.

We actually had a Mercyhurst Alumnus give us a tour of Civil War sites and of Arlington House at Arlington National Cemetery. It was great getting a view of the area from someone who attended the same school we did and had the same passion for history as us. Here's a picture of us all at Fort Stevens, one of the string of Forts that defended Washington, DC during the Civil War:

Other highlights from the trip included the Confederate Soldiers' Memorial, American History Museum, and dinner in Washington's Chinatown. I also got to see the Verizon Center, home of the Washington Capitals! I'm not a Caps fan, but as a hockey fan it was kind of neat to see another team's home arena.

On our way back to Erie, we stopped at Gettysburg. The new visitors center there is AMAZING and by far one of the best museums I have ever been to, anywhere. Absolutely outstanding in every sense, the video shown to visitors made me tear up a bit. It was great seeing everything at Gettysburg.

And then dinner at the historical Jean Bonnet Tavern (where George Washington apparently once stayed) and then back to Erie by 9 or so Saturday night. It was a whirlwind tour of Washington, DC but a trip I won't soon forget, and just another great memory during my years at Mercyhurst.

And I'm savoring all these memories, because the sad truth is my time at Mercyhurst is quickly running out!