VISITING THE NATION’S CAPITOL

It has been way too long between visits. Why do I say that?  Because for most Americans, I believe visiting this incredible city is an exceptional and even mandatory experience that should happen as often as possible.  There are incalculable things to see and do.  One could spend a week alone at the Smithsonian.

Side note:  some of the trip was covered in my column published in The Jewish Journal (click HERE).  This post provides greater details and photos!  Starting with the highlight meal (below) of the trip at Pastis DC.

Classic Steak Frites, a wonderful Cab Franc, and a perfect Strawberry Milkshake!

After visiting Washington multiple times every year during the 80’s though 2008, this is our first time back.  Why now?  We’re honored to have a good friend as the Deputy Secretary at the Department of Labor.  He and his staff were incredible arranging tours for us, and we are deeply appreciative.

Right off the bat, we had an in-depth tour of the Department of Labor.  The huge building is 1.8 million square feet and can accommodate 4,000 people.  The view from the building’s top floor is priceless (BELOW).    Following that, we enjoyed the “newish” Visitor’s Center at the US Capitol.  Seeing that area (not the building) was a first.

Baseball is always a part of the itinerary if there’s a game in the vicinity.  The Nationals were on the road, so we took the train to Baltimore’s iconic Camden Yards.  It is one of the great stadiums — with plenty of interesting food to explore.  Not wanting to head back via the train, we opted to get an Uber back to the hotel.  That took little thought at just $10 more than the train.  Door-to-door in just 50 minutes.

What hotel did I pick for the DC stay? The venerable Hay-Adams. It seemed like no time had passed since we last enjoyed their incomparable location and impeccable service.  Are there more modern and arguably fancier hotels to stay?  Certainly.  But one could simply hang out in the lobby to see a who’s who of DC parade by.  And the downstairs bar — Off the Record — is the quintessential speakeasy.  Very secluded and often packed to the rafters. hence their motto:  “The place to be seen – but not heard.”

Below, the view from the Hay-Adams’ rooftop

Doesn’t everyone have a hotel breakfast like the one below??? What a treat!

My column covered our extremely moving visit to the Capital Jewish Museum.  If only it hadn’t come to light due to the horrific murders in May, taking the lives of two innocent young people.  If you somehow missed the story, again click here.

I’ll segue to a wonderful visit to the Library of Congress.  This incredible institution is about so much more than books.  Notwithstanding seeing the original Gutenberg Bible on display, we had not seen the re-creation of Thomas Jefferson’s library housing more than 6,000 volumes.  Jefferson is quoted in 1815:  “I cannot live without books.”  Yet sadly his books were lost due to fires on different occasions.  Read the history here.

Below, inside the Jefferson Library

Equally fascinating in a different way is the recently acquired collection of Manuscripts and Papers from composer Stephen Sondheim.  A brief snippet below, a letter from Sondheim to Leonard Bernstein:

Our last day was bookended by two memorable tours:  the White House public rooms in the East Wing, and the after-hours/private tour of the West Wing, including the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.  Regardless of whoever occupies 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, it is the structure that defines DC in all its glory.

The earlier tour includes rooms frequently seen at press events (the East Dining Room), the long cross hallway (seen in countless TV shows), and the Rose Garden (seen from inside windows).  The tour can be arranged through one’s congressional representatives.

The West Wing tour was a trip highlight. After several layers of security, we were met and admitted by our personal guide to first see the EEOB. Maybe the most memorable item viewed is the VP’s official desk.  Many officials (all VP’S except one) inscribed their names inside the top drawer.  Can you identify the signatures below?  (Answers follow — no cheating!)

(Answers L-R:  Dick Cheney, Kamala Harris, George HW Bush, Dan Quayle, Walter Mondale, Harry Truman, Al Gore, Joe Biden, Dwight Eisenhower, Mike Pence)

Our admittance to the West Wing was held up due to a certain someone still in the Oval Office.  Protocol and security dictate the area be completely vacant for at least 15 minutes before guests are admitted.  And the secret service take their job very seriously, so there’s no chance protocol might be breached.  No photos are allowed — phones must be locked up prior to entering and returned after leaving.  We viewed The Situation Room only from the hallway to the closed entrance door, but we were able to see inside The Oval Office, the Navy Mess where many from the West Wing dine (very inexpensively), and the Roosevelt Room which looks like the Cabinet Room but that is separate.  From there, we had our phones returned and we visited the grounds a bit along with the Press Briefing Room.

Anyone who watches the news will likely recognize the podium from which the Press Secretary conducts a daily briefing.  It is truly iconic.  One can’t help but pose for a photo, and think “what if ..” I can assure you, the photo below will never happen but was sure fun.  It is also interesting to see the “pecking order” for the journalists assigned to the White House.  The front row are all the usual suspects — ABC, NBC, CBS; then the big guys from cable:  CNN, Fox News and MSNBC.  From there, it is everything from the NY Times to The Guardian.  I didn’t see People Magazine; I guess they didn’t make the cut. Further back behind all the cameras are desks the reporters use to post their stories.

If you haven’t been to DC, it is a must.  Not only is the city beautifully laid out, but around every corner is a building or monument or statue commemorating this country.  I look forward to another visit SOON!