I recently graduated from Leadership Bartow XVII, a 2 year developmental program that builds leadership skills, encourages volunteerism and educates the class on city, county and local government as well as our local tourism. I learned more than I could have ever imagined. Once a month we visited everything from horticulture nurseries, chemical plants, city facilities, government facilities, local farms, public schools, art museums, historical sites, local colleges, Our States Capitol in Tallahassee and last but not least, we visited The United States Capitol in Washington DC. This trip was incredible. All adults, no kiddos this time, which is rare for me.
I soaked it up and left inspired.
I had been to DC in the late 90s visiting a college friend and went back in 2012 to run the Marine Corps Marathon. This trip was different. I wasn’t in charge of the schedule or agenda. It was educational and fun and a gorgeous time of year, because the cherry blossoms peaked just as we arrived. This was definitely a highlight for me, as it was on my bucket list.They could not have been more beautiful.
We were non stop for 3 days. From Union Station to The White House, Lincoln Memorial, The Mall, Washington Monument, The US Capitol Building, Arlington National Cemetery, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, US Naval Academy, The District Wharf, a yacht cruise down the Potomac River and into Annapolis, Maryland for the best crab everything at Middleton’s.
