Wednesday, 7 am. Registration for RWA National. Volunteers distributed badges, nametags, ribbons, schedules, and books! Along with 5 paperbacks and a hardcover, we received a flash drive from Harlequin that holds conference handouts, a 14-page pdf file of Harlequin covers from 1949-2009, and 3 more complete books. Cool! At registration, I saw some old friends and met a few new fellow writers. Some will sightsee today. Some will be busy with board matters or other events. Today is Librarians’ Day and the Chapter Leadership Event.
After a pleasant breakfast at the Stone’s Throw 
Restaurant in the Marriott, my husband and I left for the Metro and more touring. Out the back service door, down the hill, then across 24th Street and we were at the entrance. We bought our fare cards and were carried down, and down, and down the escalators. 
The last time I rode the subway (aka/underground or tube) was in London a few years ago. While Washington’s system is just as efficient, I sorta missed the sultry British voice reminding me to “Mind the Gap” as I stepped aboard.
The Library of Congress was our first destination. 
My goal was some genealogy research and learning how the system works. Before accessing books, I had to register for a Reader Card in the Madison Building of the Library, then walk back through the tunnel to the Jefferson Building. Interesting. The Jefferson Building is gorgeous, inside and out. The intricate paintings and carvings on the ceilings are awe-inspiring.
Early afternoon we hopped back on the Metro for a quick ride to the “Federal Triangle” and a visit to the National Museum of American History. The exhibit honoring the First Ladies held a special appeal, from Mary Todd Lincolns’ tiny waisted gown worn in 1861 to Jacqueline Kennedy’s classic pale sheath a hundred years later. So much to see in Washington, D.C.!
When we returned to the hotel it seemed it had made a shift from teachers to writers. A quick change and I was downstairs for the “Readers for Life Literacy Autographing.” Five hundred romance authors lined up at tables to sign, and at least triple that number looking to meet their favorites make a lasting impression. 
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Terri Brisbin talks with fan at the Literacy Booksigning.
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Beth Ciotta shows off EVIE EVER AFTER at RWA's Literacy Booksigning.
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Carla Cassidy signs LAST GASP.
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Where to begin? ∞
Stringing Beads 
Hey Deb!
I know what these posts are costing you so I doubly appreciate them and wish even more I was there. I might even be strong enough now to do all the walking! 🙂
Hi Deb,
Glad you are having a good time. I am trying no to miss being there. But all that walking it too much for me. My saving grace is that I was there with RWA in 2000 and my daughter went to graduate school at American Unicersity so we toured a lot then. Actually, I never realized how close DC was until then.
I also loved the First Lady dresses. And yes Washington has so much to see and even better it is all free.
Want to see something else that is impressive. The Police Memorial is just about the Metro at Judiciary Square. Easy to get to and impressive to see.
There’s also a cute small musuem across from the White House, right next to Blair House but I can’t remember the name. Its on the left if you face Blair House with your back to the White House.
Have fun.
Pat