Family Vacation to Washington, DC July 19-26, 2006

We took a vacation trip to DC this summer. Our main motivation was to have a chance to visit with Abby while she is one of WY- Senator Mike Enzi's legistative intern. We needed a mental break too from life after the fire. Our added bonus was that Mick was able to join us (yes, Mick you were invited to family vacation!) So we flew to Reagan airport and our dear friends the Grays were there to meet us and act as our hosts for the week. The Grays are friends from Dan's days in seminary at Regent in Vancover, BC. Jim works for the state department and has worked all over the world as a foreign officer. Kathy is his lovely wife and household manager and hostess extraorinnare. Esther, their 19 year old daughter, was home from Stanford this summer so it was wonderful that we got to know her a bit as well. Grays are very interesting and well traveled people. Spending a week with them in their lovely home was amazing and wonderful. They made sure that we were comfortable, shuttled us around, made us several tasty meals, gave us great directions and DC site/ food recommendations and even made sure that the fridge was stocked with Dr. Pepper for Charlie. In short, as I told them, they were a balm to our weary souls. Entering their very different lives was both stimulating and refreshing!

We also were able to visit Dan's good friends Steve and Meg Garber while on this trip. Oddly enough they go to Grays church although they did not know each other. We made it our aim to get these two fine couples together before we left. We had a great meal all together at a Lebanese Restaurant that the Grays recommended. Not many of them in Chugwater....smile....Steve and Meg were dear friends of Dan in his days on staff with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Both were on staff at the same time so it was a great reunion. Both of these couples have hosted Hannah and Abby in their extensive travels to the east coast in recent days and those visits have been some of the highlights of their trips. So it was nice that we could finally renew these frienships as well. Having these friendship connections really made a good trip great! Thanks to Grays and Gerbers!!!!

From left: Steve Garber, Dan, Lynn, Meg Garber, Jim and Kathy Gray

Steve and Meg Garber

Esther and Kathy in their kitchen

Grays gorgeous home

Our other amzing hostess was Abby L. Kirkbride. She was very glad to have us come visit her on her turf! We haven't seen much of her this past year with her trip to China last fall so iot was nice to spend that time with her in DC. She showed us a grand time and beleive me she gives a "mean" tour of the Capitol.

Abby's famous US Capitol Tour

Abby at her desk in Senator Enzi's office

Lynn and Dan in Senator Enzi's office

Abby and two roomates living at George Washtington Unversity

One of the highlights of our trip was spending time with one of my colleagues Ollie Cantos. Ollie was the guest speaker at our Career and Lifestyles EXPO in Cheyenne the day of the fire. Ollie is one of President Bush's staff. He is the Associate Director- Domestic Policy Council for the White House and offered to arrange a tour for us to the West Wing. Since 911, tours to the West Wing can only be arranged through the President's direct staff and you have to have some sort of in. Ollie was our "ace in the hole" because of my work in the area of the employment of people with disabilites. Ollie is the top policy maker for the work I do and we are very fortunate to have someone of his talent and caliber in that office. Ollie also happens to be blind. But that doesn't stop him. He ws our guide all over the day we toured in the White House as well as on a trip to Alexendria (The Wharf) for one of the best seafood dinner's I have ever had. A man stopped us on the street for directions and looked at me.... I had not a clue.... Ollie gave him exacting directions and left the man on the street with his mouth hanging open. Evidently Ollie is well-known around DC too. After he left us on the Metro a man came up and asked us if we knew who Ollie was and says that Ollie really gets around and is well-respected. Wow! It was a great moment to see what kind of impact he is having and how is his changing attitudes with his life on the abilities of people with disabilities. We are honored to be called his friends!

Us with Ollie in the Rose Garden


Lynn and Dan with Ollie


The Brady Press Room which has since closed for rennovations (it was really a dive)

Mick holding his first and only press conference!

We even got to see the OVAL Office and other important rooms but photos are not allowed. It was really cool!!!! Ollie's office is located across the street from the White House in Eisenhower Exective Offices (closed to the public). An elaborate French designed building with a great staircase which Charlie photograhed for his 4-H project.

Ollie in his office

The Tour in the Eisenhower Executive Offices

Thanks to Ollie for giving us a once in a lifetime experience!

The Sites of DC
These are the pictures that Charlie took that won him a purple ribbon for 4-H on his photgraphy project this past week. They are great photos of the sites of DC.


Our Nation's Capitol- * CW

Eisenhower Executive Office Staircase- *CW


The Washington Memorial reflected in the Vietnam Memorial- CW

The Korean War Memorial

The Fam on the Mall- *CW

Lynn at the World War II Memorial
Hats off to both our fathers: Donald Johnston and Ken Kirkbride!
More Sites

The Capitol Rotunda

Art in the Capitol- The Baptism of Pocahotus

Chandelier in the Capitol

The Lincoln Memorial


The National Cathedral

Mick in the Bishop's Garden at the National Catherdal

The Smithonians: Lance Armstrong's Tour de France Bike

Dorothy's Ruby Red Slippers

Charlie and Dan Take the GOLD!!!!

A trip to the National Geographic Museum:

Charlie and Dan come full circle after two trips to the state GEO BEE tourney where Charlie placed 6th both times. This was a thrill for them to visit!

Getting Around DC:
The Metro

It was a great trip but all the walking and the 95+ heat made us a bit tired at times!!!! This is Mick at lunch at a friend's house!

We looked like street people!!!

We had lots of fun!!!!

We even got to a Nationals Game! They played the Giants and won 8-6 against Barry Bonds!!!

A Jim Gray DC Recommendation- Great crab cakes!!! Where all the senators eat!

We feel grateful that God gave us such a safe vacation, gave us so many good friends to share with, gave us some time away from the heavy burden we are carrying, gave us this time together.... don't think we will have many more vacations that can include all five of us!!! DC was wonderful time! On we are on to County Fair!!!