2022 • East Coast Trip
March 25, 2022 to April 2, 2022
After two straight years of having to cancel the East Coast Trip due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, we were determined to have the Class of 2022 go on their trip! While it was exhausting, visiting the cities of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Washington was an incredible experience for everyone involved. Heading on out to the East Coast, we took a red-eye flight from San Francisco to Boston, and our California students were immediately jolted awake by the frigid New England weather. The cold did not keep us from visiting Harvard, walking the Freedom Trail, touring Fenway Park, or following the footsteps of the militiamen at Lexington and Concord. After a couple of days in Massachusetts, we loaded up the coach and started towards New York City, where we got to stay at the Marriott Marquis in the heart of Times Square. While in New York City, we saw the hit Broadway musical Hamilton, went to the top of the World Trade Center, and took a cruise around New York Harbor to see the Statue of Liberty. Of course, our trip to New York was not without its, ahem, adventures. Some students thought it wise to pack 17 individuals into an elevator—they were stuck in that elevator for 40 minutes. There was also an extreme desire to find a Starbucks and stay there after enduring the bitter cold crossing the East River on the Brooklyn Bridge.
After leaving New York, we made a quick pit stop in Philadelphia to see the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and then grab some lunch before moving on to Washington, DC. Because we were able to get inside the Capitol Building at the last minute, our entire itinerary was shuffled around as a result. Instead of waiting until the next day, we visited the Jefferson Memorial before heading to dinner and then saw the World War II and Lincoln Memorials later that evening. Right before dinner on the first night in DC, we also drove by the Ukrainian Embassy—it was heartening to see the messages of support and the flowers left outside. The next day, we had the opportunity to go to Arlington National Cemetery and watch the Changing of the Guard. After that, we visited the MLK and FDR Memorials and had a little over an hour to explore the museums of the Smithsonian (that were open). Finally, to cap off the day, we met with Representative Jimmy Panetta and enjoyed a dinner dance cruise. This is where our second adventure comes in! Because the wind was so strong, the boat had to stay docked. In fact, there was a point in which the Washington, DC area was placed under a tornado warning! Anyway, we had a lot of fun even though the boat could not leave the dock. Finally, on our last day, we visited the Iwo Jima (Marine Corps) Memorial and toured the US Capitol. We were one of the first school groups allowed back into the Capitol following the COVID-19 Pandemic and the events of January 6, 2021! After that, we were able to squeeze in a quick visit to Mount Vernon before heading to the airport and back home.
