Trip to the Library of Congress

When I asked people if they wanted to go on the great price day trip I found to the Library of Congress -some actually asked where it was? or in Washington DC? Hello do you know of another? Needless to say most said NO. Most reasons were acceptable but the ones that said "Boring"  I seriously wondered why we were still friends? I love my eclectic group of friends, but as I grow older they are becoming less age appropriate. I have let some move to Facebook and added some that are more like what I want surrounding me as I walk this scarey aging path. Still I search for that 'everything friend' as I continue to do things solo and fulfill my Bucket List and journal about it in this blog.

The Friends of the Avalon Free Library (never did find out what the group was exactly) ran the bus trip to DC. It was a good price for the 3 hrs down and back in a nice clean bus. I realize at 61, I no long enjoy long trips in heavy traffic. Let someone else do the driving. It was $60.00 and I asked my parents for the money for my 61st Birthday Present . They were delighted. They enjoy giving us money for our presents but feel hurt if we don't share the joy of what we purchased with them. Fifteen years ago my Mother would have joined me. I learned about the trip from a new member of the Avalon Free Library Writing Group.

I was the first one at the parking lot. But a few early birds soon arrived, then all came at once and  we watched for the bus. I went to some of the cars and introduced myself, but none were the leaders. Later I found out most were Avalon resident snow birds and this was the last trip before most went south for the winter. It was a nice group but only about 23 people, so we all spread out in the Senior Travel Bus. it was nice I sat up front in my own seat. We had two co leaders. it was their first time leading a group and they did a wonderful job.

The Bus Group and leaders walking up Capitol Hill.

Of course I forgot my hiking stick -which is usually in the way and hates going though metal detectors. The bus left us off at the bottom of Capitol Hill (where the Inauguration Platform is being built) we then had to walk up the hill past the Capitol further up to the Library of Congress. All the bus group walked except me, I opted for the shuttle bus, it was just to far and steep to start the day without knowing how much I would need to walk. Inside we started the tour with an excellent movie (the screen could have been a little higher because all the benches we the same level).

Library of Congress Art

The tour leader was so knowledgeable I was in awe, but I noticed right away that the steps were everywhere. She walked with a cane, so we rode the elevator that was working that day. I was grateful, this was a standing and walking tour. She has a sort of voice amplifier but it was still difficult to hear her. I asked if their were headphones that we could rent and do the tour ourselves (I wanted to stay the whole time in the Library) she said no but they had an application you could download to your phone and use your own headphones. sigh I don't have that kind of phone. So I went to the Thomas Jefferson collection under glass and then followed the group thru the tunnel to the Capitol.

We all walked the tunnel to the cafeteria in the basement of the Capitol ( it was just ok) Unfortunately, we had to walk down stairs. A few of the group reminded me to hold on, the white marble steps had not delineation at the ends and none between the last step and the white floor. I was very careful and should have taken the escalator and elevator. Right in front of me , a woman from our group slipped and fell and hit her head on the floor, cracked her head and had to go to the hospital for stitches. If I never see blood on a marble floor again, it will be too soon. Wow that shook me up.

The Capitol from the top of the Library of Congress/ Thomas Jefferson Building

After lunch we (now about 13 -other had wandered off or ridden in the ambulance or just to shook up to go on) took a tour of the Capitol. This time we all had headphones keyed to our tour guide. It was sooooo but better, The volume of visitors and group going thru on a Tuesday was staggering and yes I did the elevators at all times. It was very well organized. I took some pictures, went to the gift shop, bought two pens as gifts and then rode the shuttle back down the hill. Yes, I should have walked but I didn't.

The long bus trip home was uneventful, we stopped at a rest area for half an hour and I ate the healthy lunch I had packed for dinner -it worked out fine. We were back but 8. The woman and her sister that fell apparently was doing fine after some stitches and her daughter was coming to get them and bringing them to her house in the area.

The Free Shuttle back to the Bus

I had a wonderful time and could do the same trip every year -I just would like to spend a couple of days in DC -the bus ride was long.