That is what we are going to do.
Right now we are reading a book, titled "The Lost Symbol," written by Dan Brown. A fictional story set in Washington, D.C. but taking you to many places and weaving real artifacts (such as paintings and statues, etc.) into the storyline. So next weekend, we have decided to return to the capitol city and canvas the metropolis for the buildings etc. mentioned in the book.
The author uses complicated and seemingly undecipherable symbols and codes that have been hidden for centuries; symbols and codes that have been woven into great works of art, buildings and other creations of human kind. The author writes a story around situations where these ancient symbols play important roles that the main character, a professor of symbology, must understand in order to stop the antics of an enemy trying to exact revenge for the demise of an ancient organization (the subject of one of Brown's books) or in this case, the enemy tries to obtain an ultimate knowledge, an ultimate wisdom.
My mom has wanted to go back to Washington D.C. for a while now and my uncle, after reading this book, mentioned that he wanted to go see the city again. And with the fact that in Chicago, my dad will have to work a large majority of the time with little opportunity to take a vacation or relax, we decided to use the up coming holiday (Easter) for a vacation before the move.
Most of Brown's books are centered around some ancient, or not so ancient, religion. Two previous novels involved the Catholic church. The Lost Symbol centers around The Masons. My great grandfather was part of that organization and it seems that George Washington was also, along with several other individuals alive during the formation of the Unites States, hence the story being set in Washington D.C.
Though the book is mostly fictional, the places exist and some of the history used in the book hold truth. And the story certainly ignites an interest in the history and actual meaning of the symbols etc. mentioned in the books. The goal of this trip is to investigate the various things from the book, visit the sites mentioned and take a close look.
It should be an interesting trip, this being a style of travel that we have not yet experienced. Usually we travel to see as much of a place and culture as we con in a short period of time, but this trip has more of a concrete purpose; to check out the "clues" from the book.
Along the way, we will stop at Colonial Williamsburg, a reenactment of one of the first towns in the "New World". We have been there before, but Eric was little and doesn't remember much and after studying American history we decided to revisit it.
During our study of American history, we read a lot about Thomas Jefferson, his role in the formation of the U.S., his ideals and beliefs… my mom calls him a true homeschooler. His home is between Williamsburg and Washington D.C. so we will revisit Jefferson's Home, Monticello, as well.
A full trip.
Right now we are reading a book, titled "The Lost Symbol," written by Dan Brown. A fictional story set in Washington, D.C. but taking you to many places and weaving real artifacts (such as paintings and statues, etc.) into the storyline. So next weekend, we have decided to return to the capitol city and canvas the metropolis for the buildings etc. mentioned in the book.
The author uses complicated and seemingly undecipherable symbols and codes that have been hidden for centuries; symbols and codes that have been woven into great works of art, buildings and other creations of human kind. The author writes a story around situations where these ancient symbols play important roles that the main character, a professor of symbology, must understand in order to stop the antics of an enemy trying to exact revenge for the demise of an ancient organization (the subject of one of Brown's books) or in this case, the enemy tries to obtain an ultimate knowledge, an ultimate wisdom.
My mom has wanted to go back to Washington D.C. for a while now and my uncle, after reading this book, mentioned that he wanted to go see the city again. And with the fact that in Chicago, my dad will have to work a large majority of the time with little opportunity to take a vacation or relax, we decided to use the up coming holiday (Easter) for a vacation before the move.
Most of Brown's books are centered around some ancient, or not so ancient, religion. Two previous novels involved the Catholic church. The Lost Symbol centers around The Masons. My great grandfather was part of that organization and it seems that George Washington was also, along with several other individuals alive during the formation of the Unites States, hence the story being set in Washington D.C.
Though the book is mostly fictional, the places exist and some of the history used in the book hold truth. And the story certainly ignites an interest in the history and actual meaning of the symbols etc. mentioned in the books. The goal of this trip is to investigate the various things from the book, visit the sites mentioned and take a close look.
It should be an interesting trip, this being a style of travel that we have not yet experienced. Usually we travel to see as much of a place and culture as we con in a short period of time, but this trip has more of a concrete purpose; to check out the "clues" from the book.
Along the way, we will stop at Colonial Williamsburg, a reenactment of one of the first towns in the "New World". We have been there before, but Eric was little and doesn't remember much and after studying American history we decided to revisit it.
During our study of American history, we read a lot about Thomas Jefferson, his role in the formation of the U.S., his ideals and beliefs… my mom calls him a true homeschooler. His home is between Williamsburg and Washington D.C. so we will revisit Jefferson's Home, Monticello, as well.
A full trip.
(The new picture sitting on the mantel of our fireplace. We changed the decorations on the first day of spring, which was Saturday.)
じゃね。
Links of Washington D.C. -
Our Hotel
The Book - The Lost Symbol
Colonial Williamsburg
Monticello
Links of Washington D.C. -
Our Hotel
The Book - The Lost Symbol
Colonial Williamsburg
Monticello
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