1st Day in DC with 16 GOHS Students

As a US History Teacher, when I signed up to chaperone the Inagural Trip to DC I was extremely excited about the opportunity for both my students, myself and my husband, who has never been to DC.

After sitting through a red eye flight, we landed in Washington Dulles at 6:30 am, welcomed by 1 degree temperatures. We were immediately off and running with our tour guides. We passed by the Pentagon, visited the Jefferson Memorial, the White House Visitors Center, saw the parade route Obama will travel after Inauguration, the Air & Space Museum, the Newseum, the WWII Memorial, Union Station, Vietnam and Korean War Memorials, and part of Lincoln Memorial.

Due to this being Inauguration weekend, there were many road-blocks and and re-directs our bus driver had to maneuver through. We were also disappointed that the Lincoln Memorial was partially closed/blocked due to a dress rehearsal for a free concert on Sunday. That said, the concert should be amazing as the performers will be on the steps of the Memorial, with Lincoln in the background.

At Union Square, the center for incoming AmTrak trains, rumor had it that Obama would be arriving by train at 6:30. The rumor proved to be true, however we believe a diversion was created to get the crowds to rush to one part of the station (which we bought into) and Obama snuck out the other side through what we were told was a secret door leading to a resaurant, which then led to a private car. Needless to say no one caught a glimpse of Obama...darn...fooled by the Secret Service!

I felt it would be best to provide comments from my students on day one of the trip.

Here are our students comments about our first hectic day:

"The Freedom of Speech Art on the Berlin Wall at the Newseum was inspiring and makes me want to do more art." ~Ricky

"I loved the WWII Memorial and the 9/11 Exhibit in the Newseum." ~Jordan

"The best thing we did today was the AeroSpace Mueseum, as it gave me more inspiriation for my love of aviation." ~Chris

"The Newseum is super special awesome. I liked looking at all the cool old stuff." ~Ben

"The quotes on the Thomas Jefferson Memorial were great. He seems incredibly intelligent. He explained how society changes with the flow of ideas." ~Katelyn

"The Newseum was really cool. I liked seeing all the articles about Obama and seeing how journalism has developed in the American culture and how influential journalism has become." ~April

"Rumor had it Barack Obama would be arriving at Union Station, where we were, and would make an appearance. How exciting!" ~Amanda L.

"It was amazing to see how much support Barack has with the people. They buy any merchandise with his name and face on it." ~Sandra

"The Newseum offered news and within the news came truth: truth within the words, truth within the text, truth within the following quote: "Journalism makes the first draft of history."" ~Kristina

"The best thing I saw today was the White House and Capitol Hill." ~Amanda R.

"The Newseum was my favorite part. I thought it was going to be just news, but this news was historic." ~Lauren

"The best thing today was the Statue of Columbus and going to the Newseum." ~Samantha

"Doing a live newscast with Ricky at the Newseum was awesome. I can't wait to download it when I get home!" ~Mike

"The best thing I did today was the Newseum. Seeing the huge chunks of the Berlin wall and guard towers was exhilerating." ~Billy

"The best place I saw today was the Statue of Freedom and how no other building in DC can be higher than it." ~Nada

"The best thing I did today was the Space Museum." ~Clint

To my surprise, the students obviously enjoyed the Newseum the most! It had Pulitzer Prize photos, a hands-on newsroom and actual front-pages from the most historical events, dating back to the dawn of printing. Truly amazing!

It's been an extremely long day so we're going to get a good night's rest, then head off to Mt. Vernon and many other spots tomorrow, including the National Archives.

More to come, Live from DC, tomorrow.

Megan & Aaron