Revivify

Who knew it would involve getting locked in a cemetery?

Travel has the ability to revivify my outlook on life. I'm not sure exactly what it is, but I feel happier, more sane, and relaxed when I'm traveling, and that carries over a bit once I return home. I wish there was a way to bottle the sensation and take little sips of it when I need it in the every day life.

So, you want answers to that little question up there, don't you?! Well, you have to wait and read the slide show version of my trip (except Catherine, my travel buddy, who was there and knows all from this Journey).

My flight arrived in DC right on time and I was so excited to get back to the capital. Hugging Sister #3 was the first thing on the list and she was right there outside security waiting for me. It was dinnertime, so after dropping off my (very light) suitcase, we went to eat. Thai food. We sat next to an indoor serenity spot with a miniature fountain and pond. There were little fake ducks in that pond and I'm sure if we would have had any drinks, those little animals would have ended up in our pockets on the way out the door. I am inspired to begin building my miniature garden right away...or as soon as it warms up outside. Why is it still so cold here?

Day One: National Archives. The documents there were amazing. Fragile, without a doubt...the words fading. But the words written on them, and recorded for posterity are wonderful to me. From the Declaration to the arrest warrant for Susan B. Anthony, theses pieces of paper literally shaped the nation. We can learn so much from history, even if we have not lived through the specific events.

National Gallery. Art galore. Hours of enjoyment and still so much more to see. I cannot wait to go back and see the rest.

Dinner was delicious. Seafood. An excellent white wine. Perhaps it's the food that makes me so fond of travel.

Day Two: Arlington National Cemetery. The white stones, row upon row, made my heart heavy with sorrow, but there was a small piece of me that was steadied by knowing this place exists to honor those who have served the country in many different ways. Monuments and memorials to those who have fallen in events that shaped and saddened the country. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was beginning a ceremony in which a fresh wreath was presented. It was an experience that brought a lump to my throat and caused a renegade tear to escape. The loss of so many others and reminders of our collective grief as the dreaded happened: JFK, Bobby, the Challenger and the Columbia space shuttles, and more. Walking through there was overwhelming. Thank goodness for Arlington House.

As we walked and read the markers from the Civil War, I glimpsed, through the trees, a woman dressed in an old-fashioned dress. Hoop skirt. Pink. It was strange. We were in a cemetery! It was one of those things that I debated mentioning, but it was too much for me to contain. I asked Catherine, and although I sensed a little doubt on her part, a second later she saw the woman too. We followed the trail to Arlington House (former residence of Robert E. Lee and his wife, Mary Custis Lee). We poked around all over. We didn't see any ladies in costume in the back nor in the lower level of the house. We peeked in the museum and learned that Robert E. Lee's father-in-law had been raised by Martha and George Washington. Arlington House had in fact been built by Mr. Custis to house what he called his "George Washington treasures." Great history, but we wanted to see where the period dressed lady was at. We went back to the house to see the rest and I finally broke down and asked a docent if there were reenactors about. I was scared at first by his puzzled expression, and especially when he asked, "Do you know them?" I felt a little bit foolish explaining that I had seen a woman while walking some distance away. Then he smiled. "They're here around the house." There were several women dressed as the Lee women and we did eventually see "Mildred." There's a picture somewhere. Whew!

After Arlington, we ate a well earned lunch. After that very late lunch, the great monuments and memorial were visited: Jefferson, FDR, Lincoln, Korean War, Vietnam, WWII. Powerful and moving, especially as the sun set and the lights illuminated the words etched in marble. Those words feel like they are being etched on your heart as you read them. Visit. Only a black-hearted fool could walk away unmoved.

After all those heavy emotions, a whisky was in order. I was tempted to have two, but it was time for dinner. More excellent food and another good glass of wine helped wash down the day.

Day Three: Surprise Day. I had no idea what this day was going hold beyond the fabulous brunch at Chef Geoff's. After being stuffed with more excellent food, the first surprise was a visit to the National Cathedral. Wow. What a lovely piece of architecture! I was amazed at the size and beauty, although disappointed by the lack of sarcophagi in the crypts (you know how much that sort of thing fascinates me). After a quick stop in the bishop's garden, we headed to my next surprise.

Yes, another cemetery. Did you know that I spent an unseemly amount of time at a cemetery in Halifax while on my honeymoon? I don't what it is. But, anyway, this was a private cemetery--the oldest in DC. The paths were uneven and broken in places, but smooth and new-looking in others. Great monuments and beautiful mausoleums, lovingly phrased epitaphs and sweetly designed headstones made this, to date, the most peaceful cemetery I have ever visited. This is how we ended up getting locked in.

Catherine and I sat down on a bench. Our feet were sore from all the walking we had done. The bench was across from an elegant structure and the graves around us were so classically elegant. I felt as if we sat for just a few minutes before getting up to move on. We debated moving even farther into the cemetery or moving back toward the entrance, but we finally opted for a nearby path moving back to the entrance. Padlocked gates greeted us. Imagine how confounded we were. Huge gates. Padlocked. Small gate, also locked and requiring some type of key to get out. I wanted to giggle. Thankfully there was a caretaker still in the office to scold us and tell us how lucky we were that she was still there and remind us to watch the time more carefully next time. The cemetery closed at four o'clock. It was more than half past that hour. Catherine observed that there did not seem to be any low spots in the (brick) walls surrounding the grounds. We were saved from having to attempt a climb over the fence. Thank Goodness! I laughed once we made it out to the sidewalk. Yes, the girl who cannot stand to watch even a mildly scary movie was locked in a cemetery! I feel that there are not many people who could say the same. It's good to be a Crazy Sister.

The rest of the evening was wrapped up in wonderful pastimes. Lemonade, shopping, changing out of our painful shoes, eating dinner and watching Bridget Jones. I know you're still laughing that I was locked in a cemetery, so I won't go into the mushy details. I had to leave the next day. I'd go back tomorrow if I could...