We usually find ourselves in the Washington D.C. area each fall, reconnecting with friends and our church family. This year, however, we arrived from a new direction—traveling down from the Catskills in New York and navigating the motorhome through the busy North D.C. metro area. With the 2024 Presidential election only the following week, the city was buzzing with an extra large security presence, rallies, and protests. Still, we made the most of it, weaving through all that to explore new sights.
Celebrating with Friends
While we can share life’s ups and downs on the road, it’s even better when we do it with friends across the country! After some trick-or-treating and a few fierce Cribbage matches, it was time to celebrate the birthday girl!Since we lost our two furry family members almost a year ago, we soak up purrs wherever we can. Snuggle time with the cats of our friends helps fill that empty space in our hearts!Kicking back with lunch and a view at Shenandoah National Park! The fall colors stretch for miles, and the sky feels bigger up here. Nothing beats resting on a rock, sipping hot coffee brewed over the twig stove, and enjoying a sandwich from the visitor center canteen. Good food, crisp air, and a great friend to share it with—just the right way to spend the day!
The Museum of the Bible
This had been on our list for a while, bringing both curiosity and intrigue. The Megiddo Mosaic display had recently opened, creating a physical connection to one of the oldest known Christian churches, dating back to 300 A.D. From there, it was an easy walk onto the National Mall, offering a new perspective compared to our previous visits from the International Spy Museum side. We also explored the Eisenhower Memorial and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
This ancient mosaic, displayed at the Museum of the Bible, comes from a 3rd-century church in Megiddo, Israel—discovered beneath what later became a prison. It is one of the oldest known Christian mosaics, with a Greek inscription honoring a Roman officer who helped fund the church. Once part of a worship space, this intricate floor survived centuries beneath a prison, offering a unique glimpse into early Christian history.
9/11 Memorials
Thanks to our great local guide from church, we checked out the national 9/11 memorial at the Pentagon and Arlington National Cemetery. We still need to visit the World Trade Center site in New York City, and in a previous fall adventure we stopped over in Pennsylvania. While we were far away in Wisconsin, we will never forget the normally busy airways over our house into MSP were empty for days.
Visiting the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, our hearts felt heavy remembering that day. We were there with a survivor—she and her husband had been working in Crystal City at the time. Opened in 2008, this peaceful space honors those lost on that day. The curved benches, each representing a life lost, are arranged by birth year, showing the generations affected. Those lost in the Pentagon have benches facing outward, while those on the plane face toward the building. From Google Earth above, the entire memorial resembles skid marks leading into the Pentagon.
Kennedy Center
After lunch and an afternoon with our tour guide, we headed to the JFK Special Exhibit at the Kennedy Center—a “must-do” that had never quite worked out before. It was a quiet afternoon, perfect for exploring. From the rooftop mezzanine, we watched a surprise proposal unfold, with a large tour group of college students cheering at the happy “yes!” We, too, paused to take in the stunning sunset view of D.C., with the Lincoln Memorial, Capitol, Washington Monument, Georgetown University, and the Potomac River all glowing in the evening light.
Exploring the JFK Special Exhibit at the Kennedy Center! This place is packed with history, from media influence to cultural policy, all tied to President Kennedy’s legacy. The displays are bright, interactive, and full of fascinating stories. Walking through, you can see how his vision shaped art, politics, and diplomacy. It’s a great mix of past and present, making history come alive in a way that sticks with you long after you leave.Barb’s selfie rendition created by JFK exhibit’s interactive kiosk.Jason’s selfie rendition created by JFK exhibit’s interactive kiosk.The view from the Kennedy Center rooftop mezzanine is amazing, especially with the sunset at your back, warming the bright fall colors. The Lincoln Memorial stands among the golden trees. Cars zip by below, but up here, it’s quiet. The city feels calm and peaceful, just before the November 2024 elections.There are always plenty of photos that don’t make it to the blog—left on the “cutting room floor,” so to speak. But some are just too fun not to share, so here is one for a little extra enjoyment!
