Washington DC 3rd Trip Report April 17th Just finished another day of demanding touring with Collette. First item on our schedule was to visit Arlington National Cemetery. This was interesting to see and significantly different then when I last visited there in 1992. For one thing, in 1992, I could drive my private vehicle in the cemetery and I did. Also, some high ranking generals burial area had been moved to probably a safer, more remote area. Now, security personnel search you, metal detector and make you buy a ticket to take a tram which will make various stops in the cemetery. We stopped at stop one for the Kennedys burial sight and three to visit the tomb of the unknown soldier. A change of guard takes place every half hour and it is a detailed ceremony practicing rigid Army procedures for inspection and drill and ceremonies. The soldiers are dressed in immaculate dressed blues and every move is choreographed. It is a very solemn ceremony and absolute quiet is required. Since I had visited last, a new edifice had been built in front of the ceremonial area. At my previous visit in 1992, I had come very early in the morning and was by myself. I could tell the soldier on duty was very aware of my presence and uneasy about it. I was there to watch only and left after a brief visit. We then drove to Old Town Alexandria and walked around and ate our lunch at are own discretion. It was a cool, windy day and Linda and I found it peaceful. Easter celebration day. We then drove to Mount Vernon for a tour of the Founding Father’s Mansion and grounds (George Washington). It is a very well maintained area and on this Sunday Easter, had a lot of people present. This is spring time and the vegetation is spectacular. Also, the view of the Potomac River was very nice. The area is very well maintained and included restored areas of the plantation. The visiting center had a terrific film presentation and we also watch separately two other video presentations that involved Washington’s wife’s views on George and the ongoings of the time and a tactical alternative computer game where we had to make decisions on what tactics to use against the British. I chose withdrawal which was the wrong answer, Washington attacked in a different direction which led to the British withdrawal from North America (obviously simplified with many other factors involved). The whole visiting center included many viewing areas and is first rate. It took a full afternoon and was much better and more then I expected. I am ready to buy a book on Washington’s life and read it (maybe two). I ordered two the following day. April 18th, Monday last day of formal tour with Collette Today we made our way to the Basilica. This the largest church in the U.S.A. I would add that it is probably the one worth the most money regarding its value in dollars and sense. Every part of this very large church speaks of wealth, quality. It is breath taking regarding how spectacular it is. I have seen many ceremonies that were conducted in this church on television when high ranking government officials and dignitaries had died and assumed it was important. Now I know that it is important. It is very high value real estate. I took many pictures. This church is cable of holding 10,000 people for a service. It is one of the 10th largest in the world. A guide in the church made a detailed presentation of most significant aspects of the church and its religious significance. It was almost to the point of “preaching” which towards the end motivated me to walk away from the talk. I am a believer and have figured out based on my actions in my government jobs (Army, prison), after careful reading of the Reader’s Digest Bible written in plain English translation, old testament and new testament, that I am not going to heaven. I accept that. We then went to the Smithsonian Museum complex area and visited the Museum of Natural History. The area where minerals are displayed took much of our time there. We also visited the “Castle” (oldest part of the Smithsonian), the Asian Museum. Having visited China, Turkey, in the past, the Asian museum was not significant in its content. We then decided that we had enough of touring with Collette on this trip and returned home using Lyft transportation and saved our strength for the last formal event of the trip, the farewell dinner. Linda and I have one more day left in Washington DC. Overall I think Collette has done a very good job of having us see the highlights of Washington D.C. considering the lingering restrictions of COVID. We are ready for our return to Texas.