I personally loved getting so close to the various portraits of Presidents and First Ladies throughout history. Some, like the iconic Aaron Shikler portrait of Kennedy, were positioned in the Cross Hall in such a way that you could stand just inches from the portrait and see the fine details of the painting. We also loved seeing and hearing about the Presidential Steinway piano which was - today - positioned in the Entrance Hall.
We completely switched gears in the afternoon and toured the permanent exhibit at the National Holocaust Museum. It's hard to put into words the emotional impact this space has on the visitor. There is so much important history to be learned through this exhibit, and I was pleased to see Miles and Emery taking it all in as we spent nearly three hours making our way through the museum.
Tuesday's record-setting heat gave way to much more pleasant conditions today, and we grabbed dinner on the patio of a grille on Pennsylvania Ave. It was a beautiful setting, and there was great people-watching to be had.
Our day ended with a great concert by the famed "Airmen of Note" Jazz Band on the grounds of the Washington Monument. Before the sun set we saw a Marine helicopter pass over the mall and descend toward the White House. One could presume that it was "Marine One" either picking up or dropping off President Obama.
