First Day in Washington, D.C. - Tour of the Capitol

David had arranged for a tour of the Capitol with Senator Feinstein's office and we had to be at her office at 9:45 a.m. We had decided that with four of us, it made more sense to drive into D.C. and park at Union Station rather than take the Metro. Parking at the Metro stations is difficult unless you're there before 6 a.m. or after 10 a.m. when you can use any reserved space that is empty, and parking costs no matter where you are. Here we are loading up the car, map in hand.

We were at 331 Hart Senate Office Building on time. Standing in the corridor with us were a couple of 3-star generals waiting to meet with someone. John was impressed. At 10 a.m. we joined our guide, a summer intern attending UC Berkeley, and 20 other Californians down the elevator, through underground corridors, and on the Senate underground train to the Capitol. When we surfaced, the Capitol was mobbed with tourists, all faithfully following their guides. The corridors and rotunda are beautifully finished with elaborate paintings and statues everywhere. We came in through the Brumendi Corridors on the Senate side, named for the artist.

Each state gets to place two statues in the Capitol. Important folks, like former Presidents, are in the rotunda. Others are scattered throughout. California has Father Junipero Serra and someone else I've never heard of. In 2000, Congress passed legislation allowing states to switch their statues. Kansas was the first trading one of their governors for President Eisenhower. California is going to change the one I've never heard of for President Reagan.

When the tour was over we were free to wander and go into the visitor galleries of the Senate and House Chambers. Both were debating education bills which thrilled Vicki. On the Senate side we recognized Senators Feinstein, Clinton, Obama, and Reid, and we heard Senator Kennedy speak. Much better than C-Span.



We left the Capitol and walked back to Union Station for a late lunch. It's about 5 blocks. We passed the Library of Congress and, since John and I had a few people tell us how beautiful it is, we decided to come back after we've eaten. It started to sprinkle, but a little rain never hurt anyone.