Essay On A Road Trip

A Road Trip through History
Summertime family road trips often contribute to teenage angst. Being cooped up in a car for long stretches of time can become the subject of nightmares for me. When my parents suggested we take a good old-fashioned, multi-state road trip, I might have groaned. I did not anticipate, however, that we would catch glimpses of history that would spark my interest and enthusiasm. After twenty-three hours in the car, I discovered a renewed appreciation for history, for our country and its people, and most of all-I did not hate it.
Our journey began in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Also known as George Washington’s home, the streets of Old Town appeared like the 1700’s, except for the cars parked on the street and people walking around with iPhones. As we walked the town, I could imagine what it must have been like for the early colonists. Here with not much more than faith and a heart for independence, they sowed seeds that we now reap today. Every building
It appeared far different than I expected it; the dichotomy of concrete and progress contrasted with rich historical sites readily apparent. Coming from Fredericksburg, which has a slower pace, D.C. felt fast! We walked through the National Mall area, stopping at the Washington monument to look at the city as the sun dipped behind the clouds. As people played soccer and pickup games of baseball on the lawn, we made our way to the Lincoln Memorial. Sitting proudly up on a small hill, Abraham Lincoln appears stoic and staunch. From the top of the stairs, we could peer over all the cameras and groups and see almost all of D.C. As we turned inside, the Gettysburg address, placed prominently on the wall, reminded me of the roots of our country’s Godly leadership and the heart for equality and freedom. I found it hard to choke back tears when I thought about people who never have the opportunity for freedoms we