Final Day in D.C.

Another full day touring Washington D.C.:

• We had an appointment for a tour of the U.S. Capitol at 9:30 this morning beginning in congressman Chris Chocola's office. One of the interns (Mike from Mishawaka) took us around on a very good tour. The kids seemed to enjoy themselves. Congress is not in session right now, so we weren't able to meet Chris or any of the other congressman.
• Then we met up with Mark Batterson at their coffeehouse, Ebenezer's. He spent about 30 minutes with us, treating us to drinks, and telling us the story of the building (a former crack house) and their work to renovate it.
• Then we walked to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. We visited the Dinosaur and Insect exhibits -- which made 2 little boys very happy.
• We walked by the Ford Theater where Lincoln was shot, and the Peterson house where he later died.
• We ended the night by going to watch Superman Returns as a family. What a great movie! We all thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought that Kevin Spacey was especially good.

Tomorrow is our big drive to Myrtle Beach when the vacation really begins...at least the restful part. I think we've walked a hundred miles this week, so we're all looking forward to laying on the beach and doing a lot of nothing.