Since Linda and I had to wake up at O’dark thirty to get Linda to the airport (3:30 am), we were not thrilled about driving to fireworks, so the kids lit snakes and sparklers outside with the fireflies.  Claire, however, had a different experience.

There was the parade down Constitution Avenue and here’s Claire’s perch in front of the National Archives.

I’m glad she filmed the finale of the fireworks – probably better than what we might have seen!

one year ago…”Are You Smarter than a Dean of Agriculture at Iowa State?”

Internship day three brought a visit to the top dogs at the USDA.

USDA Photo by Tom Witham.

Here Agriculture Secretary Vilsack talks to Claire, much as he did to her mother last summer.  Watch out if those two ever team up!  Claire said that the Secretary’s days are very scripted – sit in a specific chair from 8:05-8:15 for small talk with xyz, then move to next room and stand to greet someone else, and so it goes.  But he told the interns he wanted to go off script with them and show them his office.  Claire was impressed that the centerpiece of his office was a photo of George Washington Carver and Henry Wallace, namesakes of the Wallace-Carver interns.

USDA Photo by Tom Witham.

Here, Lona Stoll, Senior Advisor to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack briefs the interns.

USDA Photo by Tom Witham.

Finally, a picture of the whole gang.

one year ago…”Father’s Day”

The interns were invited to the 2011 World Food Prize Laureate announcement press conference at the State Department.

Interns mingle with the crowd in the Benjamin Franklin Room.

Claire thinking about taking the podium!

Claire hangs out with random documents in the State Department – in this case with the Treaty of Paris.

More interns at the podium.

Photo: World Food Prize

Claire was near the front at the presser (lower right).  Hillary was supposed to make the announcement but got held up at the White House where Obama evidently held her over (the day he made his announcement on troop withdrawal in the Middle East). Pols in attendance included Iowa congressional representatives Steve King, Tom Latham, Leonard Boswell, and former Senator George McGovern.
one year ago…”Summer Tradition”

The first-week of the internship starts in DC with all the interns from around the country.

Claire plays her role as special interest lobbyist well!

Hanging out with some of the other interns over a meal.

Mystery sign in a car parked outside the USDA office.  Not sure if it’s an employee’s funeral or a message to the USDA from Congress?
one year ago…”Mammatus”

I had an amazing experience on this trip, both sightseeing and making new friends. It was also informative about the role of electric cooperatives, and how they serve rural consumers.

Here’s the White House, at night. There was a lot of security in D.C. It seemed commonplace to have to have to go through airport worthy security to get into any building!

While on Capitol Hill, we visited the Library of Congress. I noticed a rather ominous lack of books. I’m assuming they were away from the tourist area, but that was a bit confusing!

Inside the capitol, on the dome, there is painting. It’s in the style of traditional Greek mythology paintings, and it is the only painting that makes an American president into a god.

We also visited Arlington National Cemetery. This included a journey to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and the Eternal Flame of JFK’s grave.

Last but not least, is a picture of the National Archives. This is where famous documents, such as the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are held here.

one year ago…”Veggie Tour”

While on the youth tour, we saw all of the famous memorials and monuments.

Here’s the Washington Monument. It was visible from everywhere in D.C.

This is a close up of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

We also visited the National Cathedral. There is some beautiful stained glass there. Of course the pictures turned out nothing like the actual windows. My favorite was a window depicting the United States’ adventures in space. It is also the burial grounds of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan.

One of my favorite stops was Mount Vernon, the estate of George Washington. Here we toured his mansion, which is mostly original, with little restoration needed. We also saw his tomb, along with Martha Washington. It was nice to get on to a farm like place after the busy streets and sidewalks of D.C.!

one year ago…”Flower Tour”

I recently had the privilege of going on an amazing and free trip to Washington D.C. The trip was sponsored by my local energy co-op, Consumers Energy (thanks!). Rural electric co-ops from all over the United States could sponsor a student to go on the Rural Electric Youth Tour. There were about 43 students from Iowa traveling to D.C. It was really amazing to be able to meet people from all over the country. Every state had a different sticker or pin that you could trade, and it became a great way to meet people (in case you were wondering the Iowa sticker was an ear of corn that said “Iowa” on it).

This is me and a group of Iowa friends in front of the Capitol. My favorite part of the tour was our day on Capitol Hill. We got to meet with both Senator Harkin and Senator Grassley, we discussed energy and electric issues and asked their opinions on the oil drilling bill that was currently in the Senate. Later, we toured the Capitol, and then went and sat in the Senate, while it was in session. They were debating the oil drilling bill. As a debater, that was absolutely fascinating to me, seeing real live debating in action.

While on Capitol Hill, we happened to run into Barack Obama, the democratic presidential nominee. Just kidding, we went to a wax museum and there was a wax, but very realistic, statue of Obama.

Here is my group of friends that I mostly toured around with, Kayla, Katelyn, and Erich

one year ago…”Hank’s Guitar”