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| Wednesday, 8-Apr-2009 03:24 |
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Our final day in DC
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A piece of Gettysburg shrapnel
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Not sure if this is what cannons were meant for
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On top of the tower
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Ms. O and the kids
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Smiling through the winds
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Somehow it was easier to go down
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From Little Round Top
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The rock climbing was making me nervous
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You know it's cold when Perry's wearing pants
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The PA Monument
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We're still smiling
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Lunch at the Dobbin House
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A classy dining experience
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Filling up
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3D
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Even Peavis joined in the fun
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the Natural History Museum
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Air and Space
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Prior to being flipped
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The Hall of Nations
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At the top of the Kennedy Center
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Iwo Jima
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It was an early morning today, but the kids all made to breakfast on time. Once we got our things together and made our daily gift shop purchases, it was onto Gettysburg. It seemed that some were able to squeeze in some extra shut-eye on the bus.
When we arrived we were joined by our guide, Phil, who was full of energy for a chilly Tuesday morning. As Darnell maneuvered the streets of Gettysburg, Phil described the three-day battle that took place there. We were able to see the battlegrounds first-hand, and get a glimpse into that part of our American history. The students climbed to the top of a 75-foot observation tower built almost 150 years ago. In the wind. They explored both Little and Big Round Tops, rubbed Civil War cannons, and saw the hundreds of monuments erected on the historic site. Now, let’s just hope they took it all in to ace Mr. Barks’ and Mr. Wanmer’s Civil War exams!!
After exploring the battlefields and gift shop, we headed over to the Dobbin House for a home-cooked lunch. The ladies in authentic attire served up salads, sandwiches, soup, pasta, and, of course, desserts. With all that in our bellies, we went back on the bus and into the city. Who knew that a brief “snowstorm” would cause such excitement on the bus?
A couple hours and one classic 80’s movie later, we pulled up to the first Smithsonian of the afternoon. Our IMAX movie was in the Natural History Museum. Ms. O was a bit freaked out by the 3D octopus that appeared in front of her face (sorry, Ms. O), but hung in there with us. The students had some time to explore the exhibits, and then we met back outside in the cold to decide on our next stop…the American History Museum or the Air and Space Museum.
About two-thirds of the group chose the AHM, so Mrs. McMahon and Ms. O accompanied that group, while I took the others to the Air and Space. The ones that went to AHM were able to get a look at Dorthey’s shoes, Dumbo, and Julia Child’s kitchen, among the many other displays.
Many in my group decided to take a flight simulator ride when we got to the ASM. Since Andrew didn’t have a partner, I agreed to be his co-pilot. While his flying skills have a lot to desire, we couldn’t stop laughing as we flipped upside down over, and over, and over, and over again. I’m not sure whether he was trying to make me sick and have nickles fly at my head, or if he really doesn’t know land from water. (Maybe I don’t want to know the answer.) In any event, it was a blast…thanks, Andrew, for the laughs!
Once the two groups rejoined, we braved the heavy DC rush hour traffic on our way to dinner. Fuddruckers was slightly crowded, but we all were able to get some food in our stomachs. Because we did a little switching yesterday, our “night tour” changed a bit. We visited the Kennedy Center, where the students were able to see the Hall of States and the Hall of Nations featuring the flags from each state, and from each country that the US has diplomatic relations. We braved the winds once again to go out on the observation deck for a nighttime view of the city.
Our final stop of the day was the Iwo Jima US Marine Memorial. The students seemed to be getting a bit restless, so I made this a quick stop, then back to the hotel. After lecturing on proper packing and hotel clean-up techniques, they were sent to their rooms to begin the process. We’ll be sweeping the rooms in the morning to make sure that (hopefully) no items are left. A daunting task: 4 8th graders’ to a room x 9 rooms x 3 days worth of DC memorabilia. If we “forget” a couple of these hats or fifes, the chaperones won’t be too upset.
Our room is picked up and suitcases ready to zip up in the morning. I only hope the kids’ are.
Until tomorrow…
(A slightly dizzy) Miss Klabe
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