Washington

The following day after the Road Trippers met the next President of the United States, the boys decided to fill our final day in Washington DC by taking in all the monuments and museums that line the national mall. The boys split up with The Doctor and Skuzzlefark visiting the Spy Museum while The Rabbit, the Don and JT checked out the Lincoln Memorial etc.

We won’t bore you with the details of the various sites that we saw, instead each member of the Road Trip You Can Believe in will instead provide you with an observation of what they saw on the walk around the national mall. Some cynics may feel that they are being short-changed with this instalment, and that we are being lazy by not giving a full detail and you would be quite correct.

The Doctor: The Spy Museum is a cracker. I got to see all the original gadgets used by the CIA, FBI, KGB and other spy agencies. They even had an original Nazi Enigma code machine. The only disappointment was that they had the logo of every significant agency from across the world on display at the front of the museum, but not ASIO. Guys - I know you are a regular reader of this blog so can we please do something about this – even the Kiwis got a mention for Christ’s sake even though they are just a couple of blokes keeping a keen eye on Australia’s sheep.

Skuzzlefark: The National Mall was a sensational grand statement of US patriotism – in its good form. The Lincoln Memorial, the Korean and WWII memorials and the Washington monument all represent the dignity and respect shown to true national heroes. Unfortunately for me, my decision to try to squeeze in some exercise with the touring of the Mall by putting on the running shorts and shoes was proven to be a little misguided given the five degree temperature, rain and howling winds. Persevering with my decision all day, I was a little taken aback when the beggars at the tourist sites didn’t bother to ask me for any change and I swear one of them felt sorry enough for me he was going to offer me his pants.

JT: Americans honour their heroes particularly well and the National Mall is the embodiment of this. It is grand in scale, impressive in layout and poignant in execution. My personal favourite is the Jefferson which does a wonderful job of remembering one of the truly great men of history. It is perhaps the use of the words of these heroes that provide the monuments with their power. The Mall helps you understand American patriotism because it reminds you that if nothing else the proposition that America is founded on, equality, democracy, freedom is one that is pretty special.

The Don: They need more toilets and rubbish bins.

The Rabbit: The timing was perfect … taking in great monuments of history along the National Mall just days after meeting the next President. Inspired by the memorials to Lincoln, Jefferson and FDR the Road Trippers in a slimmed down form of me, JT and the Don were reminded of Paul Keating’s public lament ‘that Australia has not had truly great leaders’ of this ilk. We reckon we’ve had a few. Maybe it’s time to recognise those of quality. The Road Trippers agreed that all Aussies would embrace grand monuments to Whitlam, Keating and may be a few others. The walk ended with a low sweep by the Marine One helicopter, presumably about to drop off W for one last time. We waved goodbye!

The night ended with the Road Trippers heading down into Georgetown for some beers to reflect on our day in the nation’s capital. The boys stumbled across a nightclub that was completely empty. What could have been a boring night was turned on its head. When you combine olives, couches with wheels, and appalling doof doof music, you’re sure to have a good night.