Wow, It definitely feels wierd to be a tourist in a place you have lived before. I had one goal for this trip - to get to see the World War II Memorial. I went to the dedication ceremony 4 years ago (this month!) but did not get to see the actual memorial because there were so many dignitaries, etc around and security was high.

I was surprised how much nicer people are than how I remember it. Men offering to help me carry my bags to my hotel (yes, I was stupid and didn't bring a rollar bag), asking me if I wanted their seat on the metro... strange.

I started out taking the metro into the city. (My training class is in Crystal City - in VA). I walked from the metro to the Washington Memorial. That is so beautiful, it never fails to make me stop and reflect for a minute. Everytime I see it, I also stop to think that I used to call it the "Pencil".

There were soooooooo many things going on on the National Mall. There were softball games, soccer games, school trips. It makes me wonder if people realize how lucky they are - it's easy to take some of the amazing things in life for granted.

I walked up to the WW2 Memorial - and I was suddenly struck with a pain in my heart over how much I miss my Grandpa and how I wish he could have gotten to see this. It is sad that so many of the men and women that served didn't live to see it.

I walked past the reflecting pool (saw some seriously cute baby ducks) and head to the Lincoln Memorial. It was soo busy! From their I walked to the metro and headed home. It was one heck of a walk.