When I was in 6th grade, many years ago, my class planned a trip to Washington, D.C. When my father was writing the check for me, he asked if all of the children in my class were going. I told him that even with all of the fundraising we’d done, there were still two boys who were unable to take the trip. My father, who worked in the tourism industry but had never been able to travel as a child, found this unacceptable. He didn’t think it was right for a child to miss a chance to see the United States Capitol and the White House. Right then and there, he wrote a check to cover two spaces for these two boys. He gave it to me and said, “Give this to your teacher, and let him know what it is for; but make sure no one hears you. The teacher is not to say who it is from. And Eric, never mention this to the two boys in your class.” I did as my father asked. The boys went on the trip, and everyone experienced the U.S. capital.
I have since returned to Washington, D.C. more times than I can count. When I go, I still like to visit the Lincoln Memorial. I also like to travel beyond the monument, and experience the people and the neighborhoods of D.C.
Take a look at some of our offerings below. Some might seem familiar…and others, not so much.
— Eric J. Gordon, Founder, Beyond Times Square
