Onto the Kennedy Center

Thursday dawned bright, and cold, and wintry with the snow from Monday still clinging to trees, rooftops, and heaped in the shady spots where the sun never looks all winter long. After breakfasting on granola, raisons, and walnuts we stocked up on provisions and headed out into the dazzling morning sunshine.

Our first stop was the Washington D.C. Convention Center so I could check my email and we could wander the exhibit hall for freebies that many of the companies use to entice folks to their booths. This was scheduled to be a brief stop as we were both eager to head back down to the ellipse and check out some of the memorials. However, I ran into several people I knew from workshops and presentations and of course it took far longer than anticipated to peruse the exhibit hall and mine all the freebies we could.

Thinking it best to fortify ourselves with a bit of lunch before wandering the National Mall area we stopped at a little shop I knew of that had excellent pizza at a reasonable price. It wasn’t until we were heading south on 14th Street that the wisdom of hauling two gaudy handle bags (a free give away), all over downtown D.C. filled with conference goodies was not the wisest of ideas. So we consolidated, donated, and disposed of heavy catalogues we didn’t realize had been stuffed in our sacks, and continued on our way.


Although it was now after one and we were still hoping to walk to the Kennedy center before darkness fell (yes were quite silly) we decided to stop for a “quick look” at the National Archives. Once inside the building and gazing at the overwhelming amount of possibilities I realized that place could swallow me whole and keep me satiated in information for months. We did our best to cruise through it and still pause for gleaming some information. Fortunately it was an off day and it was very quiet. There was no line as we strode right up to the Declaration of Independence and gazed down at the entombed document. It was a very solemn atmosphere in that grand, marble rotunda.


After reentering the realm of sunshine, traffic, and tourists we crossed Constitution Ave and meandered through the National Sculpture Garden and happened upon the ice rink. There were a number of couples gliding effortlessly across the ice as well as several children frolicking about, their shouts of joy echoing through the Sculpture Gardens. Although I wanted to visit the National Air and Space Museum time was limited and instead we decided to spend some time in the National Museum of African Art. It was such a relaxing, relief to sit by the gorgeous fountain and let the soothing, hypnotic sound of water refill our energy reservoir before bracing ourselves for the trek to the Kennedy Center.

Then first sign that our plan to walk over to the Kennedy Center was in trouble was when we asked the guard at the National Museum of African Art what direction we needed to head in order to walk to the Kennedy Center. After nearly choking on a swig of coffee she did a double-take, “What did you say?” she spluttered. After listening to our explanation again she just shook her head, “Honey, that aint no place to try and walk to from here. It’s way too far, especially in this cold weather.” Instead she gave us instructions to the nearest Metro subway station and assured us that one of the workers at the ticket booths would help us.

Undaunted we thanked her and headed out into the cold and turned toward where we thought the Kennedy Center must be. However, between how heavy my backpack was, how sore our blistered feet were, and how unwieldy our handle bag was the realization hit that it was time to reevaluate this brave but misguided plan. Besides, we really had no idea where the hell we were going. Instead we backtracked to the nearest Metro, got some help from several people and soon were rolling along on the underground headed for Foggy Bottom Station and the free shuttle to the Kennedy Center. We arrived so early that there was ample time to tour the facilities at our leisure, devour our meager provisions, and watch the patrons stroll by garbed in mink coats, 3-piece Gucci suits, and enough jewelry to pay off the mortgage for our home. Not all the patrons were so dressed up. There were some who had on jeans or like us just a comfortable and warm pair of pants and simple sweater.


The concert was fantastic! Hearing the National Symphony play Christmas music was like hearing these favorite tunes for the first time. The Conductor was humorous and entertaining as he paused the music to interact with children in the audience and did a few bits with Santa, who by the way had the most incredible baritone voice that boomed out across the hall. We left with a candy cane in hand and the words of Silent Night still fresh on our tongue.

Good fortune was with us as another NAEYC Conference attendee noticed my gaudy handle bag and offered to share a cab back to the hotel and then she and her husband invited us to join them for a late night dining experience. The midnight hour was expiring before our cab dropped us off at our humble digs at the Super 8, but it was another memorable day in D.C. that would live with us for a lifetime.

As always thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Next time I hope to wrap up our visit to D.C. and share our journey south into Virginia and onto the historic grounds of Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello. Until then be well, achieve excellence, and take care of each other… it’s the fabric of society.




“Curiosity is on of the most permanent and certain characteristics of a vigorous mind.”
-Samuel Johnson