Outside my bubble

As I sit here on my plane headed back to Alabama, I'm starring out the window at a world much larger than the protective bubble of the Shoals area I have always lived in. I'm leaving what could have been the most educational and eye-opening vacations I have ever been on.
This is the first vacation that has not been to a beach type location. I actually took time to wonder around Washington DC and marvel at the history of our nation. I have seen all of these monuments online, tv and in history classes.. But I never had the appreciation for the beauty and scale until now. Going to the most powerful city in the world leaves me wanting more. I walked the steps where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his "I have a dream" speech. I saw the Capital and the White House and caught myself wondering who was in office and what legislation was being discussed. I toured the museums that the Smithsonian so carefully crafted to educate us about our past. I feel a little smarter heading home.
Also on this trip I spent a lot of time observing people from different backgrounds. It was easy to spot the tourist like myself, we had on something other than black or grey. The city seems to be a mix of young optimistic people ready to take command of their destiny.
Of all the the adventures this week, some rank near the top.. Truckeroo was great. 25 food trucks gathered at the Nationals stadium along with bands and and pretty much had a block party with good ranging from lobster rolls, mac n cheese, lamb gyros to cupcakes. Also up there was taking moonshine shots in a bar in DC with good fiends. I promise I walked more in the past 4 days than I have in a year.
To be honest, I'm not sure what is in my future, but I would love the opportunity to move to a great city like DC. I do however know that life is too short to not like what you do. So don't be surprised if I'm up and gone soon from the Shoals.
I can not close this out without saying a huge thank you to Brian and Amy. Without you this trip would not have been possible. The best tour guides in town and for sure the most hospitable. So Thanks again. My faith in the US has been renewed and I hope not to take for granted this great nation we live in.