Peter and the Wolf Ride America: The Washington D.C. Checklist: History

We arrived in our nation's capital. Wolf had been talking for some time about his excitement to see his former college roommate at the University of Washington, Jordan Bice. After a quick introduction, Peter and Jordan hit it off and we began our D.C. experience.

We were welcomed by Senator Jordan Bice on the roundabout between Union Station and The Capitol Building.

After the meet and greet, we headed to an Irish Pub only a few steps from where we parked. Corned Beef sandwiches and a beer.

Jordan gave us a great tour around his office before we headed out to the Capitol Building. He works on environmental policy for the state of Oregon.

Jordan said, "just acted like you belong," as we walked through the staff entrance and onto the underground subway that zooms the staff around D.C. This was the start of our tour.

Jordan knew some unique spots within the Capitol Building. Here is Peter taking a quick bath. We speculated that Abraham Lincoln may have done the same in this very bath.

Jordan set us up with his personal intern, Alan, to give us a tour of the Capitol Building. The interns spend a month shadowing tours, and learning interesting facts about the history of the building. He really knew his stuff which made for a great tour. Thanks Alan!

Best buds. Wolf and Alan in a hallway of beautiful art.

Said to be the center of D.C., this spot is supposed to give good luck to all who rub their feet on it. We needed all we could get.

This sculpture of George Washington is said to be the most accurate depiction of our first president.

We stood where Abraham Lincoln sat during his time in office.

Here is Wolf with Ronald Reagan. Under his feet, you can see actual stone taken from the Berlin Wall.

Peter stands next to George Washington.

We stood inside the Old Supreme Court Chamber which was used between 1810 and 1860. A lot of American progress occurred here.

Wolf standing outside Union Station. We came to realize that cars are very impractical here...

Outside the US Capitol Building.

Wolf and The Peter.

Outside the US Supreme Court. They were renovating the front so they draped a picture of what it looks like. We decided not to stop in as we were pressed for time, so we headed for the Library of Congress, which was recommended over this.

Library of Congress.

The reading room within the Library. Use is only permitted to staff.

Thomas Jefferson's personal library contained thousands of ancient books that Jefferson himself donated to the Library. Fascinating, but no pictures allowed.

We apparently arrived the day every boy scout was receiving a tour...

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The next day, we left Black Sally behind and took the subway into town. It was Saturday, so Jordan continued the tour suitless.

Our first stop was the Museum of Natural History. Here is a picture of Wolf in the mouth of a megalodon, the great white shark's early ancestor. We hope to never encounter a great white, but this thing is a joke.

Our next museum was the Museum of American History. This is the hat Lincoln was wearing on the night of his assassination.

Jordan and Peter at the WWII Memorial.

Honoring those who fought in WWII from Oregon.

WWI Memorial.

Outside the Lincoln Memorial.

On the top of the steps before you enter the Lincoln Memorial sat the plaque remembering where Dr. Martin Luther King made his "I Have A Dream" speech.

The three of us in front of Abe.

Us three again in front of the Washington Monument.

The recently unveiled Martin Luther King Monument.

The side of the monument with powerful words: "Out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope." The monument is a physical representation of this quote.

We made it to the White House. Security lined the walls and the roof. There is no access to the front of the White House, so this is a shot of the backside.

Jordan knew of a great bar called the P.O.V. Roof Terrace and Lounge. We had walked about 8 miles up to this point so we were happy to relax and enjoy a beer overlooking all of D.C.