The Momentum for a Third Year at the Top

As a follow-up to Tuesday, September 3, 2002, I had a rather remarkable day 20 years ago today, on Monday, August 30, 2004.  I began my 8th grade school year at Percy Julian Middle School.

My classmates and I were the first to attend 6th grade at Julian, and now, we were beginning our third year there.

One defining moment was when I was at the Final School Round of the National Geography Bee.  The moderator, social studies teacher Mr. Krapf, made his way across the stage to introduce the finalists and have a chance to get to know them with a couple of questions. He asked me if I had been at Julian all three years, and I responded, "Yes".  While that's commonplace today, no one before my classmates and I had ever been at Julian for three years.  It was a way to cap off our momentous entry into Julian as the first group to attend 6th grade.

At the start of 8th grade, as I looked around the school, I wondered where the "older students" were, above me in age.  Then I realized, I am the "older students".  For the first time in my life that had been influenced by being the youngest of 2 siblings, I was at the top of the school.  I had given up my opportunity to be at the top at Irving Elementary School, going from the number 2 spot in 5th grade to the lowest rung of the ladder in 6th grade at Julian.  It felt unusual, because I was so accustomed to someone being over me, rather than have all the other grades at a school be under me.

Yet I didn't see 8th grade as a means to assert my dominance.  I saw it as an opportunity to engage the momentum I had built over the past two years, to continue making the most of my middle school years.  My participation in the National Geography Bee was one great example.  I also eagerly joind the staff of the Julian newspaper, The Jayhawk Flyer, which had started the year prior.  Additionally, I continued on Student Council.

Beyond the school walls, during 8th grade, I did the majority of my formation process for the sacrament of Confirmation.  The experiences of grades 6 and 7 shaped me so much in faith, and made me ready to embrace what the formation process had to offer.  It was a defining experience in my life, much as being at Julian was.

In some respects, that moment has stayed with me for the past 19 years, especially as I put faith into action by handing on to the students in my Religious Education class.  I'm in a position above my students, and I realize it's a great opportunity to will the good of the others.  It's amazing to bring my middle school years full circle by teaching middle school RE.

The Scene along the Seine: the 2024 Summer Olympics

I remember sitting in my room in the Munger Moss Motel 3 years ago to watch the closing ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.  I saw a video for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics, and I thought it was epic as athletes were moving across rooftops in Paris.

So I had high hopes as I turned on the TV for the Opening Ceremony on July 26, 2024. Yet expectations weren't met like I thought they would.

I heard ahead of time that the ceremony would be staged on the Seine River, which is part of what set my expectations so high.  But the flow felt so different.  And so many parts were pre-recorded video.  I also wasn't expecting the athletes' boats to be interspersed with the artistic elements of the ceremony.  The artistic elements made a good effort to showcase French culture and its diversity, like the singer who performed the French national anthem from a rooftop, which partially gave it a grand feel.  As the commentators kept saying, everyone seemed to be in high spirits despite the rain, and I can acknowledge that to some extent.  The light show at the end on the Eiffel Tower was a spectacle.

Then there were the different segments displaying different aspects of French culture.  I had to scratch my head during the romance part, when three people came together to express their romantic affection and then went into a private room.

I think this 9-minute podcast of a segment on Trending with Timmerie speaks to why I feel the way I do.

The one part that caused the strongest reactions was the mockery of the Last Supper.  Somehow, I missed that part of the ceremony, perhaps because I stepped into my kitchen and my view of the TV was blocked.  Later, when I saw a video clip of that scene, I realized the blasphemous depiction happened for only a few seconds before the scene went to the Fashion show runway, which I remembered.

Many Bishops voiced opposition to the Last Supper mockery.  Bishop Paprocki was thoughtful in this video response in discussing how the original Olympic games came to an end because their quality declined into decadence, and indicated that is the case now with the modern Olympic games.

It's a shame that the opening ceremony put a damper on the event, considering how the thousands of athletes worked so hard to be there.

I am glad, that many stories surfaced about athletes who exhibited a strong sense of faith.  One that I found particularly inspiring was about teenage Brazilian skateboarding athlete Rayssa Leal: After her athletic performance in a competition that netted her a bronze medal, she used sign language to share John 14:6.  This EWTN video shows how God was glorified at the Olympics, including through FOCUS, a ministry geared toward college students, which had staff at the Olympics to help support the athletes.

Bishop Cozzens stated it so powerfully when he released a statement about this blasphemous mockery, referring to St. Paul's words that “where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more” (Romans 5:20).  Overall, despite the anti-Christian acts during the opening ceremony, God's grace was still present and at work through the response of the faithful.

Dear 1036: Seeing History in Athens

Dearly Beloved 1036 Clarence,

There's something special about seeing athletes from all over the world come together for spirited competition in the Olympics.

And usually, it's a great opportunity to see the host country showcase itself.

I recall fondly when I watched the Opening Ceremony of the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics on the evening of Friday, August 13, 2004.  While I watched the 2000 Sydney Olympics Opening Ceremony, I have few memories of it.  I have many more memories of what I watched in 2004.

There was an epic opening montage, with the Jurassic Park theme as the background music.  I was so intrigued to see the artistic part of the program displaying different parts of Greek history, from the spelndor of the Parthenon in ancient days to the rise of the Orthodox Church and then the many-pleated soldiers of the independence era.

I also had this sense that I was watching a historic occasion, as the Summer Olympics returned to Athens, its homeland, for the first time since the First Olympiad in 1896.

Indeed, it was a great evening to see the world stage from the comfort of you, beloved 1036.

That evening, along with many memories, shall stir me.

You shall not fade into the background but remain deep in my heart as that dearly beloved place.

We shall be ever connected:

All my relations.

God's blessings,

With joy,

Paul

A Hometown in the Heartland

I had a great opportunity to reconnect with my Grandpa Martin on his birthday back on January 17, 2024, when celebrating 100 years since his birth.  Writing a blog post about the occasion, and reaching out to my Mom and her siblings for what they had to share was a wonderful time getting to know him better.

In light of his milestone birthday, I felt I could get to know him even more by putting myself in the context of the place where he grew up, in Ottumwa, IA.

Over and over I've heard so much about Ottumwa from my Mom and her siblings as they fondly recall their visits to this small city.

I was eager to experience the place myself and 2024 felt like a suitable time.

In the wake of celebrating US independence during the first few days of July 2024, I set my sights westward into the heart of the Great Plains on the evening of Friday, July 5.  I left homebase in Oak Park around 7 PM.  (Please note that all times in this post are CDT.  And as usual, all photos are mine unless otherwise stated.)

I drove to Peru, IL, where I spent the night at the Quality Inn there. I really liked the hotel. My windows looked out onto I-80.

The following morning, on Saturday, July 6, after my morning routine with breakfast and then some, I was on my way by 9 AM continuing west on I-80 to the Quad Cities.  After the momentous crossing of the Mississippi River into Iowa, I got on US 61 and headed in a generally southwesterly direction, passing through wide open fields filled with corn, the kind of scene that contributes to why I admire Iowa so much.  At Wapello, I headed west on a county road until I reached US 218.  From there, I drove to Mount Pleasant, at which point I got on US 34, which took me all the way west to Ottumwa.

I arrived around 12:20. First, I went to the Ottumwa Amtrak station--please see photo directly below.  The eastbound train was running late, and I thought it would be a good opportunity to wave at it, since I had missed out on my eastbound journey last summer on the California Zephyr.  I also have a sense of the railroad's importance in Ottumwa.

Next, in the spirit of National Fried Chicken Day, I drove south, crossing the Des Moines River, and went to a gas station to get Chester's fried chicken lunch with a biscuit.  I brought it back to Central Park--in the photo below--to eat picnic-style.

Once I finished, I went inside the Ottumwa Public Library to look around.  It's a Carnegie library building, and looks so splendid inside and out.

Looking up into the dome of the library

The main area of the library under the dome

A close-up of the artwork in the library

Exterior of the Ottumwa Public Library

Next, I went to check in at the Hotel Ottumwa, a historic hotel dating back to 1917.  The furnishings were plain, yet it still had a nice historic feel.  

My room in the hotel

Exterior of the Hotel Ottumwa

Then I walked around the downtown streets and browsed a couple of thrift stores.  

A US Navy uniform for sale inside a thrift store

Looking east along Main Street

Artwork along Main Street

Walking along, I ended up by the Bridge View Center, where I took a closer look at the Wapello County Freedom Rock, as is shown in the 5 photos directly below.  Every county in Iowa has a Freedom Rock to commemorate those who have served.

Back on the other side of the Des Moines River, getting back to the Central Park area, I walked through Canteen Alley, as is shown below.

Between 3-4 PM, I returned to the library to look at materials in the genealogy section.  I found my great-grandparents in phone directories from the 1930s.  I also bought an Ottumwa Public Library tote bag as a souvenir.

I stopped back at my hotel room to rest for a bit before heading out again.  First, I stopped at the Canteen Lunch in the Alley to get a root beer float, which is an esteemed Ottumwa eatery.  

Then, I drove to McKinley Avenue, and saw the house where my great-grandmother Cecile and my Great Aunt Jean lived for many years.  The lady of the house stepped out because two people came by to see her.  I greeted her, and when it became apparent that her primary language was Spanish, I switched to talking in Spanish as I explained the family's connection to the house.

The house on McKinley Avenue

Looking south along McKinley Avenue

I left the block on McKinley and drove a short distance to a part along the Des Moines River and walked on a path for a few minutes.

In a westerly direction

In an easterly direction

Looking north across the Des Moines River

A little later, I went to the Ottumwa Amtrak station to greet the westbound train.

Around 7 PM, I went to dinner.  I was in the mood for Mexican food, so I ate at the Tequila Bar and Grill.  I had carnitas tacos.  Apparently, 10% of Ottumwa's population is Hispanic, and there are other ethnicities present.  I enjoyed my dinner and the decor in the restaurant.

Carnitas meal

Above is inside Tequila Grill and below is outside.

Once I finished, I went to Polar Express for a sweet treat of self-service ice cream and sorbet, which is in the photo directly below.  I liked mixing the flavors and toppings.

Here I am with my treat outside Polar Xpress on Main Street, in a photo taken by a fellow customer.

Polar Xpress appears near the center of this photo.

Subsequently, I walked more of the paths along the Des Moines River.  Near the Market Street Bridge, as it started to get dark, the Jefferson Street Viaduct lit up in blue.

Looking in a northerly direction across the bicycle/pedestrian bridge from the south side of the Des Moines River

Above and below are views of the Jefferson Street Bridge lit up in blue, above just after 9 PM and below, closer to 10 PM.

A little later, I went shopping at Hy-Vee, a place that Mom recalls fondly, which, even as an average grocery store chain, makes it special shopping there.  Then I returned to the hotel to retire for the night.

The Hy-Vee Store as it appears the following morning

I was up around 7 AM the next morning on Sunday, July 7.  I went downstairs to the lobby, where there was a restaurant area serving breakfast.  I got pancakes with sausage, a meal that was included in my hotel stay--please see photo below.

Shortly after 8:30, I drove a short distance south to attend 9 AM Mass at St. Patrick Parish.  There was a telling detail in the Gospel reading, in which Jesus returned to His native place, and there I was, visiting my grandfather's childhood hometown.  There was a new priest who recently started his assignment as parochial vicar for the Roman Catholic parishes in Ottumwa and vicinity.

Exterior of St. Patrick's Church

The altar area inside St. Patrick

Looking from the baptismal font through the nave toward the altar

Looking toward the back of St. Patrick

Following Mass, I returned to the hotel to gather everything together and check out.  I eventually ended up at the Quincy Place Mall for lunch at Bubba Q's.  I had a nice turkey sandwich with fine thickly-sliced turkey with broccoli on the side, which is in this photo below.

By 12:30, after I had finished a little bit of shopping, I set my sights headed east back to Oak Park.  For the return trip, I followed a different route, driving on US Route 34 into Illinois.  Upon reaching Burlington, IA, I made a stop for gas. Then I went to the nearby visitors' center where I bought a postcard.  I walked down by the Mississippi River.  

The Great River Bridge carrying US Route 34 over the Mississippi River

On my way following a detour back to US 34, I stopped by Snake Alley, a street that predates and that's more crooked than Lombard Street.  At this point, advancing storm let down a downpour, so I got back in Avila and got on US 34, and then crossed teh Mississippi River back into Illinois.  At a reasonable speed, I eventually drove past teh storm.

Later, though, I entered another storm, but it eventually cleared, and I had largely smooth driving along I-80 all the way back ot Chicagoland until I arrived back at homebase around 7 PM.

Reflecting on this trip, I think one moment that stands out was when I sent Mom a photo of the house on McKinley Avenue: She said it brought back so many memories, and described to me some of its features.  I may not have the same connection to that place as Mom and her siblings, but it gladdened my heart that I could look at the place and recognize its nostalgic power.

In light of the Gospel reading at Mass on Sunday, when Jesus went to his hometown, I feel a sense of significance in connecting with my family by experiencing the context of place, and adding it to my grandpa's life.  

Ottumwa fits the picture of a typical Iowa small city in the heartland of the United States.  I can tell it has entered a period of decline with all the empty storefronts, but I still sense it has potential with all the nice artwork along Main Street and even businesses like Polar Xpress.

There were other nice American touches in the town, like the presence of the BNSF Railroad and the California Zephyr route.  I was also glad to see the posters on the streetlights recognizing those from Ottumwa who have served in the US armed forces.

Perhaps the combination of these elements speaks to what I learned about the setting of where my Grandpa Martin grew up.  His story is truly an American story.  He went from the heartland of the USA to live a life full of heart in raising a family and making an impact in education.

There's something I greatly admire about the state of Iowa, with its Fields of Opportunity.  Perhaps Ottumwa's character speaks to why, and now I know it just a little bit more.  This road trip was an opportunity to honor my family by connecting with a significant part of its past.

When I stopped for after-dinner dessert on Saturday evening, I saw this artwork near Polar Xpress, which reads, "There is another alphabet/Whispering from every leaf/Singing from every river/Shimmering from every sky".

Indeed, from the Des Moines River rises a city called Ottumwa with places that tell a story about my family.

I was intrigued by the O! on the Ottumwa signs like this one.

Reconnecting to What Always Inspires

In the month leading up to Independence Day, there are some other historical occasions celebrating other steps in the unfolding of what the USA is about.

June 14 is the day the US Army was established in 1775 and the day in 1777 that the Continental Congress adopted the Stars and Stripes.

June 21 is the day New Hampshire became the 9th state to ratify the US Constitution, which made it the law of the Land under Article 7.

It was fitting that I had my regular annual trip to the Washington, D.C., Metro Area flanked by these two significant days.

On Friday, June 14, 2024, by 5 PM, I was on my way to starting my trip east.  I rode the Blue Line to reach Chicago Union Station.  I was inside around 6 PM and just minutes later came the boarding call for Amtrak train #30, the eastbound Capitol Limited to Washington, D.C.

The Capitol Limited appears second from the top in the Amtrak Departures display board.

The train waited for some passengers coming from a train that originated in the western USA before departing around 6:55 PM.  It made good timing from Chicago into northern Indiana.  

Sunset from the train, east of LaPorte.

With the late sunsets, light lingered in the sky until almost 10 PM as we headed toward Ohio.

I was glad to see Kyle, one of the coach car attendants, working the train.  Since this was the 14th time I've ridden this route, we've come to readily recognize each other.

During the night, as is my custom on this route, I got off at Toledo, Cleveland, and Pittsburgh for fresh air.

The sun shone brightly as it rose over the Appalachian highlands on the morning of Saturday, June 15, as the train traveled from Pennsylvania into Maryland. 

The view from the last car of the train after it passed through the tunnel.

I got off at Cumberland to walk around on the platform.  Then the train weaved between Maryland and West Virginia.  The views at Harper's Ferry were scenic as always.

The train made great timing east of Harper's Ferry into the DC Metro Area, and arrived at Washington, D.C., Union Station around 12:45-12:50 PM.

I got a quick lunch of a pita wrap before I began my visits.  First, I went to the National Archives, which was fitting for Jun 15, the anniversary of the Magna Carta, and there is a 1297 copy of it on display there.

Next, I headed north to two important spiritual sites.  I first visited the National Shrine of St. John Paul II, which had a special exhibit with panels from Blessed and soon-to-be-Saint Carlo Acutis's website documenting Eucharistic miracles--please see the photo below.

Then I walked to the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception for 4:30 Sunday Vigil Mass.  It was special to visit in the 100th anniversary year of its first Mass in April 1924.  While there, I noticed the Gospel acclamation verse included the words "The seed is the Word of God", and that phrase is on the ambo, which was fitting furthermore because seed figured prominently into the Gospel reading.

Someone outside the Basilica kindly photographed me by the east entrance.

Here I am posing by the statue of Blessed Father Michael McGivney.  Photo is by a fellow visitor.

The ambo bears the words, "The Seed is the Word of God".

Once Mass ended, I boarded the Metro to first pick up my luggage in storage at Union Station and then travel to Alexandria.  I was excited to see the view from the Metro Yellow Line when it emerged from the tunnel to travel the bridge over the Potomac, because I never get tired of the view.

It was an easy walk from the King Street-Old Town Station and when I walked into our hotel unit, Mom and Dad already had dinner ready.  Subsequently, we walked to Casa Rosada to cap off our day with delicious gelato.  After an unfortunate incident at this business last year, I was glad to see them up and running again.  It was great enjoying our gelato in the summer evening in their back porch area.

Someone sitting near us got a group photo of us as we begin to enjoy our treats.

Here's a close-up of mine.  I think it was strawberry banana flavor.

The next morning, Sunday, June 16, we went to 8:30 Mass at St. Joseph Parish, which was a spirited time.  It was great to hear the theme of seeds again.  There was a celebration afterwards since they recognized graduates in their communities, not to mention the dads.

I then biked to a nearby Safeway to get a few groceries before returning to the hotel for breakfast.

Around 12:30 or so, we left for the Market Square area for our 1:15 tour of the Stabler-Leadbetter Apothecary Museum, one of several historical museums in Alexandria.  

Here's the view of the museum along Fairfax Street. The museum occupies two building sites in the midle of the row of buildings with the central doors flanks by windows right next to them on either side. The right building is the entrance for the complex, and the left building is the original apothecary building.

Our tour guide showed us around a display area on the first floor with bottles for different medicinal substances, and how the apothecary functioned.  Then we went upstairs, where she explained more about the process of making the medicinal substances.

The store area on the first level

Workstation on the upper level

Supplies of material for manufacturing

The drawer in the center of the photo is for mustard seed.

I was intrigued to see a can with "Kamala".

We were done around 2 PM.  Then we returned to our hotel, and I stopped for ice cream at the Crazy Mason Milkshake Bar.

Later, around 5 PM, Naomi and Eric arrived.  Eric cooked stuffed peppers with quinoa.  They also brought us Midnight Cookies for dessert.  We had a great time enjoying each other's company over dinner, and then we played a fun game called Qwirkle.

Stuffed bell peppers

An assortment of cookies

The end result of our Qwirkle game

They departed around 7 PM, and I decided it was a good time for a bike ride.  I rode to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge bike path and over the Potomac River into Maryland, and then over to National Harbor before turning around and returning to the hotel in Alexandria.  While heading west on the bridge, I got amazing views of the sunset.

At National Harbor in Maryland

The view of the sunset looking westward along the Woodrow Wilson Bridge toward Alexandria, VA

Close-up of the disc of the setting sun, with the George Washington Masonic National Memorial tower to the left

The next morning, Monday, June 17, after I had breakfast and some downtime, I rode the Blue Line train north to Rosslyn.  From there, I walked to Theodore Roosevelt Island.  After private ownership, it passed into the auspices of the federal government and became a landscaped nature area.  It was wonderful to walk around the island and experience nature, even if a plane zoomed overhead on its approach to Reagan National Airport.  It was especially refreshing to walk in the shade in the building heat and humidity.

View looking southeastward toward Theodore Roosevelt Island as I approached on a path from the northwest

A tree-shaded path on the island

A marshy area on the island, near the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge, which appears below

Theodore Roosevelt Memorial in the central part of the island

Close-up of the statue of Theodore Roosevelt at the memorial 

A fellow visitor photographed me near the memorial on the island.

View from the bridge to the island looking south along the Potomac River channel toward the Theodore Roosevelt Bridge

When I finished my walk around the island near 11 AM, I returned to the Rosslyn station and rode the Blue Line to Arlington Cemetery.  Mom and Dad were waiting for me there, and I joined them for a visit to the Arlington House.  We entered the Cemetery and then began a walk in the blazing heat and humidity up the hill to its location.  I remember seeing and hearing about it, and I was glad to have the chance to go inside.  It was fascinating to see the furnishings, as the Lee/Custis family wanted the house to offer tribute to George Washington.  Inside, the furnishings reflected a combination of 18th and 19th Century history.  And the views from the area by the front porch of the house over into Washington, D.C., were amazing, and well worth the climb.

Looking up the hill toward Arlington House, which appears in the center of the photo

The dining room

An instrument in what I think was a sitting room or parlor

Here is General Lee's desk. President Ford sat here when he signed legislation restoring General Lee's citizenship in 1975.

Inside the quarters for the enslaved servants

A garden on the grounds of the Arlington House

Above is the view from the front porch looking east toward the National Mall and below is a view of the front of the house.

Once we finished there, we descended the hill and made our way out of the cemetery and back to the Blue Line for the ride to Alexandria.  At the hotel, we had lunch.  A little later, I walked to the nearby Old Town Pool for a cool-off time.

And then I had a light dinner before beginning my side trip.  I rode the Metro to Union Station to board the Amtrak Northeast Regional train #138 to Philadelphia.  It was delayed by almost an hour, but I made good use of the time in Union Station, especially to pose for photos by the decorative Union Station signs.

Toward the left, although small, I appear posing by the decorative sign.

Sign by the gate for my train north to Philadelphia, Amtrak train #138

Walking down the platform toward the train, whose rear car appears on the right of the two trains

By 7:15 PM or so, the train was on its way northeast.  I had a very relaxing ride, especially with the use of the train's Wifi.  There was an amazing view of the sunset near Aberdeen.

Sunset over an inlet of Chesapeake Bay on the way to Aberdeen

Sunset at Aberdeen

Around 9 PM, the train arrived in Philadelphia, and I exited.  I immediately went to board the SEPTA train for the short ride to the Jefferson Station, and from there, it was a short walk to the Days Inn Hotel by the Convention Center, where I spent the night.

I was up early the next morning, on Tuesday, June 18, around 6 AM.  After my usual morning routine and breakfast in the new eating space near the hotel's lobby, I went to the Jefferson Station to board the 7:35 AM SEPTA Trenton Line train for my outing to the New Jersey State capitol.  

The train I rode to Trenton arrives at the Jefferson Station.

As the train headed north from the William H. Gray III/30th Street Philadelphia Station into the northern suburbs, I got great views of the Schuylkill River and the skyline.  Closer to New Jersey, I struck up a conversation with a lady who sat by me.  When I told her that I was headed to visit the New Jersey state capitol, she moved out of my way when we reached the Delaware River so I could take in the amazing view as the train crossed the bridge to cross the river into New Jersey, with a spectacular view of the New Jersey Statehouse.  

Here is the view from the train as it crosses the Delaware River into New Jersey. In the distance, there's a bridge with the statement, "Trenton Makes, the World Takes", referring to its former steel industry.

Within minutes, we pulled into the Trenton Transit Center about on time for our 8:39 arrival.

It was a splendid morning, still not too hot, so I decided to walk about 25 minutes from the station to the statehouse along State Street.  I got there almost an hour before the tour, so I walked around to the side of the complex overlooking the Delaware River with a great view of the State House dome.

View toward the Delaware River

The New Jersey State House

Then I ducked into the New Jersey State Museum to enjoy the air conditioning and browse the exhibit for a few minutes.

The New Jersey State Museum

Display of items from the founding era inside the New Jersey State Museum

Above and below, Abraham Lincoln makes a couple of appearances in the New Jersey State Museum. The statue below is part of an exhibit of big items in a small state.

By 10 AM, I was in the State House Annex waiting to start the tour with our guide, whose name I believe was Tom.  There was another family of three that joined the tour.  He led us into the State House through a tunnel.  We stopped in the central part of the State House, the House Chamber, the Senate Chamber, and the rotunda.  In each space, he told stories from history related to each space, described the functions of the New Jersey state governments, and even pointed out fixtures.  Notably, the chandelier in the house chamber was funrished by Thomas Edison's electric company, and his son was a New Jersey governor.  Abraham Lincoln also spoke in the House chamber on his trip to Washington, D.C., to assume the office of the US presidency.  While many were critical of him in New Jersey, he managed to win people over with his speech and gracious demeanor.

The guide also noted some idiosyncrasies about New Jersey.  It's the only state capitol that can be seen from another state, yet it's still centrally located because of New Jersey's size.  No legislator has to travel more than 2 hours to reach Trenton.  The capitol dome is also not in a centrally located position in the building because of the way it was built in different sections.

I definitely enjoyed the tour, and getting to learn some of the finer details about New Jersey on what could be considered my first substantial visit there.

At a cross-point in the hallway between the House and Senate sides of the capitol, which is somewhat like a rotunda.

The New Jersey State House chamber, the Edison-related chandelier appearing near the top center of the photo

New Jersey State Senate Chamber

Looking up into the rotunda

Here's a view of the rotunda, with the tour guide appearing to the right.

A fellow visitor in my tour group photographed me inside the rotunda.

Here I am outside the State House Annex. Thanks to someone I stopped on the street to photograph me.

We were done around 11:15, and I knew it was time to get back in haste to the Trenton Transit Center to board the 11:50 Trenton Line train back to Philadelphia.  So I boarded a Trenton public bus for $1.60, which I had in cash, and rode about 5-10 minutes to the train station.  After purchasing my ticket, I had enough time to buy an Auntie Anne's pretzel, which was cheaper than at Washington Union Station.  Then I headed to the platform to board the train.  After a slight delay, were were on our way right before 12 noon, and I took a good look at the amazing view from the bridge during the Delaware River crossing.  Along the way, I read more of Katie Britt's new memoir, God Calls Us to Do Hard Things.

Looking south is a view of the Philadelphia skyline from the SEPTA Trenton Line train.

The train reached Philadelphia around 12:45, and I detrained at the Suburban Station and then walked to the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul.  Specifically, I wanted to visit the tomb of St. Katharine Drexel, whose remains had been moved there in 2018, after my first Philadelphia visit.  It was meaningful to do so aware of the recent experiences I've had in reconnecting with St. Augustine Mission.

St. Mother Katharine Drexel's tomb

Next, I walked to the Reading Terminal Market to get lunch. I ordered from the Original Turkey stand, like I did the first time I went there.  It was a happening place in the early afternoon.

My turkey lunch

Following a quick dash over to the Independence National Historical Park area to see Carpenter's Hall and Independence Hall, I went back to the Days Inn to retrieve my luggage.  Then I boarded a SEPTA Trenton Line train at the Jefferson Station and rode it the short distance to the 30th Street Station.  There, I waited for Amtrak Northeast Regional train #133 to ride back to Washington, D.C.  It arrived at 3:22 shortly after its scheduled time.  The ride back was relaxing like the ride the day before.

Train #133 appears third from the top on this train information board.

Info for train #133 by the gate.

Train #133 arrives at Philadelphia.

A fellow passenger photographed me in my seat as we neared Washington, D.C., Union Station.

The train arrived at Washington, D.C., Union Station shortly after 5 PM.  From there, I made my way to the National World War II Memorial in honor of its 20th Anniversary.  There was something telling about being in the intense heat and humidity when visiting a memorial that commemorates soldiers who endured intense conditions to uphold freedom in the world.

The wall with the stars commemorating those in the US Armed Forces who perished in World War II.

The view of the fountain in the memorial looking toward the Washington Monument

View of the memorial looking toward the Lincoln Memorial

Then I made my way back to the Metro and then on to Alexandria.  I arrived after 7 PM, and dinner was already waiting for me with a surprise of Key Lime pie from Bob and Edith's Diner.  Once I finished eating, we three played Scrabble.

On the morning of the following day, Wednesday, June 19, after I had breakfast, I went to St. Mary's Parish for 9 AM Mass.  Then I headed back toward the hotel, and headed straight for the Metro station with Mom and the three of us got on the train for our day's outing.  We rode the Blue Line to Foggy Bottom and then walked to the Kennedy Center in what still felt like a pleasant enough morning.  We met Naomi and Eric there and then went on a guided tour starting at 11 AM.  It was fascinating to learn about what happens at the Kennedy Center including finer details like the presidential boxes and its artwork, and to look inside two of the theater venues.  To cap it off, we saw some amazing views from the upper-level terrace.

In the Hall of States in the Kennedy Center

The Hall of Nations

The Grand Foyer hallway along the north-south length of the Kennedy Center by the Potomac River side, with access to the theaters

The Concert Hall

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg frequented this reception room, and would usually sit in the far corner.

Presidential Suite

Gallery of African art work

The Eisenhower Theater

View looking northwesterly toward Arlington (appearing toward the left) and Georgetown (appearing toward the right)

View of the Potomac River looking southwesterly, with the Theodore Roosevelt Island appearing toward the right

Here's our family photo--thanks to our tour guide for photographing us.

We were done by 12:30.  After looking around at a special exhibit about President Kennedy and the arts, we parted ways.  Mom, Dad, and I got lunch at Whole Foods near the Foggy Bottom Metro station.

Once we finished, I parted ways from them, and headed for the Shrine of St. John Paul II to participate in the 3 PM Divine Mercy Chaplet.  (There's an archived video of this prayer time.  So far as I know, I don't appear in it, but I'm just to the left of what the camera showed.)

Then, I made my way to the Archives building to see the special Juneteenth exhibit.  After seeing how long the line was, I skipped it and went to view the Charters of Freedom again.

Subsequently, I walked to the American History Museum to see the original Star-Spangled Banner, a highlight of a WDC visit.  And then I headed for the Metro for my return to Alexandria.  Around 7 PM, we three walked east to have dinner at Pita House, a Middle Eastern/Mediterranean restaurant.  I had Ouzi-Ris Blahmeh, which was lamb meat with rice and a yogurt sauce, which I enjoyed--please see photo driectly below.

View inside the restaurant by our table

View of the outside of the restaurant

Family photo with the three of us, taken by a passerby on the street

The next morning, on Thursday, June 20, I was up around 7 AM.  I joined Mom and Dad for breakfast.  They departed a few minutes after 8 AM.  I lingered for a while longer in our unit, and then I signaled our check-out to the front desk staff around 9:30.  I first went to Union Station to store my luggage.  From there, I went to the BNSIC to spend a few minutes in Eucharistic adoration.  Next, I returned to Union Station on the Metro Red Line and after much effort, I ended up in the Smithsonian Postal Museum to get postcard stamps.

Next, I went to 12:10 Mass at St. Joseph Parish, which is on the Senate side of Capitol Hill.  There was something awe-inspiring and reverent as I walked inside, not to mention a refreshingly cool contrast from the warm, humid summer day outside.

Inside St. Joseph

Outside St. Joseph

St. Joseph appears to the left and appearing to the right is a Senate Office Building, to the south on 2nd Street

After Mass, I decided to get lunch at Lemon Bistro, which was a couple doors north of the church, and I had a chicken sandwich.  Once I was done with lunch, I walked to Union Station, passing by a group from Students for Life America, and boarded the Metro over to Federal Triangle.  I intended to go up to the Old Post Office Tower for the great views, but the elevator stopped working.  So then I walked east to the Archives to see if I could visit the Juneteenth exhibit.

There was a much shorter line there, short enough so that I could walk right up to the display of General Gordon Grangers's order proclaiming the emancipation of the enslaved people in Galveston.  There was a somewhat lengthy line to see the original Emancipation Proclamation.  Even with the looming train departure time, I decided to get in it and see how far I could make it.  I was behind a large school group, and I passed the time talking with some of their chaperones, including a social studies teacher from Florida.  Many of the students were from Illinois.  The time felt like it was passing faster than it actually did.  And it was great to connect with those in line as we shared the experience.  After about 30 minutes, I reached the proclamation.  I still had plenty of time to get back to Union Station, and I was there in no time after two short Metro rides.

Display for General Granger's order

Above and below are displays of the Emancipation Proclamation

I got dinner from a Philly steak stand in Union Station and retrieved my luggage from storage.  It was around 3:30 or so at this point, and the train was already boarding, so I headed straight for the platform.  I got a seat at the very front of the first coach car, right by the cafe car.  Out the window was a MARC commuter train.  We left shortly after the scheduled departure time of 4:05.  It was great to see the National Shrine as we headed out of the District of Columbia.

After the stop at Rockville came the summer solstice at 4:50 PM, and this photo shows the scene from my seat looking outside shortly after it happened.  

It was the first time I recall marking this important moment onboard a moving train.  I cracked open a sparking water drink to celebrate.  Another special celebration came when we reached West Virginia at the scenic spot of Harpers Ferry, because June 20 is West Virginia's birthday.  There was lots to celebrate as we rolled along beside the Potomac amid the trees in the Appalachian highlands.

At Harpers Ferry

The Potomac River as the train travels along the West Virginia side, with Maryland on the other side

I stepped off to walk around on the platform at Cumberland.  The daylight lingered late as we headed northwestward.  I stepped off again in Pittsburgh to walk around and then went to sleep.

There was a great sunrise on the morning of Friday, June 21, in Toledo, when I stepped off the train to walk around.  It was a pleasant summer morning heading west toward Chicago through the fields of northern Ohio, along the straight "Airline" stretch of track without any curves, and then northern Indiana.  After some morning cloudy obscurations cleared, there was plenty of sun.

Sunrise looking east as the train heads west from Toledo

The Chicago Skyway Bridge

Looking north along the I-90/94 Dan Ryan Expressway toward downtown Chicago

My seat on the train, by the window

The train arrived at Chicago Union Station around 9:25 AM CDT.  Feeling in a celebratory mood, I stopped at Chik-fil-A for a chicken biscuit sandwich before heading to the Blue Line and returning to Oak Park.

I mark the completion of another Capitol Limited trip by posing in front of this sign in a hallway in Union Station, just off the Great Hall, courtesy of someone sitting nearby.

One instance during this trip illustrates how I feel about visiting the Washington, D.C., area.  On Saturday, as the Yellow Line traveled on a bridge over the Potomac River, I got out my phone and photographed the scene of the monuments and sent it to a few people, remarking "I never get tired of these views."  I got to enjoy those views throughout this trip.  Furthermore, I got to experience them in new ways: After a long, hot walk up the hill to Arlington House, it was so worthwhile to look east at the view of the National Mall.  Another highlight was definitely touring the Kennedy Center.  While I had gone there before for a concert, I didn't realize the incredible amount of artwork there and its amenities for performing arts.

My side trip to Trenton helped reinforce the place of Washington, D.C., within the large Mid-Atlantic region.  It was nice to see Abraham Lincoln factor into the history in Trenton, where he stopped on his way to become president in Washington, D.C.

Other enjoyable parts of this trip included taking in the scene in Old Town Alexandria, which is in the midst of celebrating its 275th anniversary.  Getting gelato at the Casa Rosada is definitely a wonderful treat.

Revisiting some of my favorite places there helped connect me with the heart of the USA, speaking to what this country is all about and my place in it.  I was glad to share these experiences with family and other visitors, including school groups, who were also seeking to get in touch with the heart of the USA.  Even teh train journeys were wonderful as I got to soak in the country on teh way there in teh company of other passengers. I got in touch with my soul when revisiting the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception and the National Shrine of St. John Paul II, which always have a way of raising my eyes toward the Heavens, just as church-hopping elsewhere in the area does.

Taken all together, any trip to Washington, D.C. truly reinvigorates me.  There's something about those views that surpasses any words and evokes something profound and keeps me fresh in what matters most in life as shown in family, faith, and citizenship.