Walking over 2 miles on paved surfaces. Getting on/off a motorcoach.
At the hotel.
Thanks to numerous books and movies, many people know of Masons but relatively few know exactly who they are and what they believe. There are also many myths, legends, and mysteries surrounding the role of Masons in the founding of the United States. Dan Brown’s bestselling novel “The Lost Symbol” — set in Washington, D.C. — blended Masonic history into his fantastic story. At the hotel, we’ll be joined by a 33rd Degree Mason who will help us separate fact and fiction as we examine the influence of Masonic teachings on our nation's founders, and learn about Masonic symbols throughout the city.
At a local restaurant. Share favorite experiences and enjoy camaraderie with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
By motorcoach, we will visit what are locally known as the “Big 3”. We’ll explore Abraham Lincoln's life, principles, and civil war presidency at the Lincoln Memorial on the west end of the National Mall. We’ll examine America's cold war history through the prism of the Korean War Veterans Memorial and reflect on the tragic consequences of U.S. involvement in Southeast Asia at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. We will then head over to the National World War II Memorial, where we’ll learn about America's struggle against Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan at the dawn of the age of weapons of mass destruction. Many enjoy visiting this site at night when the memorial's lights and water fountains give it a more majestic appearance.
Enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow Road Scholars at a local restaurant.
Heading back out on the motorcoach, we’ll spend our last night in D.C. visiting the Tidal Basin as the lights illuminate these memorials. We will learn about Thomas Jefferson's role in crafting the Declaration of Independence, forming a more perfect union and expanding America during a visit to the Jefferson Memorial near the tidal basin. We will then explore the tumultuous period in American history that paralleled Franklin Roosevelt's 12 years as President of the United States at the FDR Memorial in West Potomac Park. From challenging conventional thinking about the role of the federal government in the nation's economy to confronting the evils of fascism, Roosevelt led America in trying times. The FDR Memorial – a series of outdoor rooms in a park setting – memorializes the nation's efforts to overcome the Great Depression at home and defeat tyranny around the world. Our last monument will bring us up to the Civil Rights Movement as we visit the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, which was dedicated in 2011, on the 48th anniversary of the March on Washington. We will learn about the civil rights leader and his pivotal role in ending the legal segregation of African American citizens. Upon our return to the hotel, prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.