Mixing it up with the commuter crowd...

We signed on for a couple more days at this RV park - I have to say, in all our years of RVing, this is the most efficiently run park we've ever dealt with.  They have it down, and they are able to give good info to their guests so they can enjoy the best Washington DC experience.

Plus, we have really enjoyed the mass transit system here: fast, efficient, safe, and reasonably clean.  And more convenient than driving yourself into DC and dealing with traffic, parking, and routing.

The parking ramp was nearly full when we got to the Metro station.  Less than a minute after getting to the subway platform, ours was rolling in.  Instead of switching to the bus, we transferred from one subway to another - faster, and it put us near where we wanted to be: "the Federal Triangle."

Back out in the daylight, and here is where we are...

We consulted a nearby directory to get our bearings and headed for the White House Visitors Center.  Along the way, I got to enjoy the architecture once again...

The image above is for the Government of the District of Columbia... since that is the Capitol, I hadn't given much thought to the running of the city.  In any other city, it would be an impressive building.

Going into the White House Visitors Center, we had to once again clear security: everything out of your pockets, keep the line moving, oops I set off the alarm... take of my belt and go through again.  Whew - no body cavity search is necessary.  Gathering my stuff up, the guard said, "Take your time, sir."

I replied, "Are you married?  My wife is waiting for me!"  He laughed and had to tell the guard next to him..."Yeah, I used to be married.  Guess I should have hurried up some."

The White House Visitors Center is run by the National Park Service; like everything else we have visited here, it is done up first class.  We enjoyed walking around the displays...

There were displays about the family life there, the historical summits, the working office of the President, First Ladies' perspectives, and staff that keep the house running.

We watched a 20 minute movie about the White House and what it has meant to the various families that called it home during a President's time in office...

Then, back out onto the street to see the south entrance (and other neat buildings along the way)...

More than a block away, a Secret Service black Suburban...

You aren't going to casually drive up to this...

There used to be access along this street - no longer, due to security concerns.  The view to the south from the White House: the Washington Monument, again...

We walked around the east side, enjoying the hotels and other buildings that ring the grounds around the White House...

Time for lunch - this place came highly recommended...

The Old Ebbitt Grill has been a DC tradition since 1856 - they call it "just steps from the White House," I would call it: a bit of a jaunt.  A classy place, but I was able to slip in... probably because I was with the Blonde.  The food was good, we learned a different cut of steak (hanger steak) which Joan had with her salad, and it was nice to cool our heels a bit, as well.

Then, back to the north side of the White House...

And, a further "walking tour" of some of the buildings and architecture.  OK, not a walking tour for these folks...

Not "cherry blossom time," but these trees were flowering...

Mid-afternoon, and back to the subway for our trek north...

We did the transfers like old pros, found our car up on the 4th level of the parking garage (the closest spot available this morning), stopped for ice cream, then back to the coach.

And, outdoor time for Izzy.