barbiebeauty

“Then I realized adventures are the best way to learn.” – Author Unknown

Every summer my family takes a vacation, and we usually drive to our destination. I am learning to appreciate the long rides because it gives us the opportunity to create our own schedule allowing us to relish in the moment.

This year’s destination was Washington D.C. My son had been asking to go for three years; we finally agreed he was ready to take in all the sites with a greater appreciation of what was to come. After traveling three days, stopping in other states and visiting numerous sites, we made it to D.C.

Prior to arriving, we agreed on the sites to visit so each one was fulfilling, but of course I had my favorites. Among the many sites visited was The Washington Monument, The Air and Space Museum, The White House, The Smithsonian, Arlington National Cemetery/Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, The Lincoln Memorial, The Newseum, The World War II Memorial, and The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. In addition, we also had the chance to visit Georgetown University and Howard University.

One of the most gratifying experiences was going to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and witnessing the Changing of the Guard. While observing such an amazing event, we tried to determine the patterns of the tomb guards steps and turns. We were definitely fascinated at the footprints in the mat that indicated the stride of all the tomb guards’ steps were exactly same every time.

Although all sites were of high amazing, The Newseum was my most favorable place. Starting from the outside, the front page of a newspaper from every state was on display. Upon entering the Newseum, we were able to watch videos about 9/11, the evolution of the sports, and America’s Most Wanted. There is an entire room that houses newspapers that display the top three stories of every year beginning in 1959. There are pieces of the Berlin Wall, the remnants of a reporters car that had been bombed, and a section dedicated to terrorism on US soil.

As part of the Newseum tour, we had an opportunity to participate in an interactive display as a local news anchor on several pre-determined stories; I had the pleasure of reporting on The Cherry Blossom Festival. Outside, on the top floor, revealed a breath taking view of Washington D.C. and of course, more newspapers. After 4.5 hours in the Newseum, we still failed to watch all of the videos and cover one floor. But unfortunately, it was closing time and we had to go.

This trip was definitely one of the best. And to add icing to the cake, driving to D.C. allowed us to steer off the path and visit a few friends that have become family on our way home. It was truly a blessing to take this trip as we returned home with smiles and left others with smiles of their own.

The motto in the Freeman family is “Education doesn’t get a break”, and we try our best to teach beyond the classroom walls. After having toured the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site in Atlanta and the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, it was only befitting that we visit the Civil Rights Institute in Birmingham. We also had an opportunity to visit Sixteenth Street Baptist Church which sits right across the street from the Civil Rights Institute.

On the day of arrival, we were later than expected and did not have an opportunity to tour the museum. The members of the church were having choir rehearsal, so we could not enter the church. While walking the outside premises of the church, a stranger stopped us and asked if he could speak to our son. We gave him permission to proceed as we stood near. The guy was definitely inebriated. Even in the midst of his drunken state, he was very articulate, knowledgeable and passionate about Birmingham’s role in the Civil Rights Movement. The information he shared was accurate and unbeknownst to us would guide us in understanding several things throughout the museum the following day.

On day two, we toured the museum and the church.  We were able to watch videos, view pictures and hear stories about the bombing of Sixteenth Street Baptist Church which took the lives of four young, black girls. While at the museum, we read letters written by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. while in jail. Additional parts of the tour included many accounts of segregation, The Freedom Riders exhibit, and an audio playing throughout part of the tour that kept repeating the word “nigger”.

Because we try to find humor in everything, our son joked about the items and articles that were available to us “back in the day” such as the old glass bottle soda machines. He asked questions like; “Did that soda machine even work?” or “What kind of stereo is that?”

Although these type of trips can be very disheartening because of some exhibits, we use these occasions to show our son why it is important to have his own account of history. It also helps him understand why it is important to do his very best in all endeavors and never let an opportunity to be great pass by.

While vacationing, one of the things we incorporate into our travel is campus tours. This year we visited several schools, and some were quite mind-blowing. We had an opportunity to visit Howard, Georgetown, University of North Carolina, Duke, University of Southern Mississippi, University of Tennessee, University of Alabama Birmingham and The University of Alabama. The campuses were contrasting but definitely offered their own appeal, and I found myself mesmerized with each of them for distinctive reasons.

The campus that left me the most enthralled  was The University of Alabama. One thing that always pulls me in is the beauty of a campus. Alabama was spacious and aesthetically pleasing. I was so in awe; I only took one picture because I didn’t want to miss any part of the campus.

University of North Carolina was my second favorite campus simply because I am a Tarheel fan, and I love, love, love Carolina blue. The university runs into downtown, so it can appear slightly cluttered. The positive side is you have access to many of the amenities near the campus. Of course we had to visit the Dean Smith Center, and we had the opportunity to watch the Lady Tarheels practice.

Duke was my third favorite, and it is a campus for tourists. We visited the gardens which provided a nice picnic area and had a developing garden to showcase. The chapel was also one of our stops; while it was quite elegant, it was also slightly spooky. The highlight of the campus for a family of athletes was none other than the visit to Coach K’s court. To walk into the gym and have the opportunity to stand on the floor of Coach K’s court, receive an autographed basketball, and have the chance to shoot around was the climax of the visit.

Again, each campus offered something different to enjoy for each of our family members. The other campuses had their own highlights, and I would definitely visit each of them again if I were in the area. It is my desire, and I will make the extra effort to visit my three favorites again.