Annual Pautz-White Vacation 2026 Edition

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Boarding pass

Wednesday: Capitol Hill

Light-Bearer Inscription: Jefferson Bldg: Find the structural engraving of John 1:5: "The light shineth in darkness."
Latin Scripture: Gutenberg Bible: Spot the decorative Latin type markings displaying the Old Testament.
The "Schoolmaster" Plank: Jefferson Library: Find the text panel declaring the core of schools should be the Bible & a Hymnal.
Pilgrim's Open Bible: Rotunda Canvas: Look at Brewster holding an open Bible showing text from the New Testament.
The National Motto: Capitol Atrium: Spot the massive engraving of "In God We Trust" above the entry frames.

Thursday: National Mall

Pure Native Wall: Natural History: Spot the massive sheet of pure, natural native copper mounted near the entrance.
The Red Glow Shadow: Hope Diamond: Look through glass to check the 45-carat diamond showcase area.
Shared Scripture Wall: Lincoln Memorial: In the North Chamber, find the text: "Both read the same Bible and pray..."
Providential Flag: American History: View the real 1814 Star-Spangled Banner flag that survived Fort McHenry.
The Warrior's Creed: WWII Memorial: Find the granite tribute to reliance on Divine Providence during the war.

Friday: The Tidewater Transit

Inverted Airmail: Postal Museum: Look straight up into the rafters to spot three genuine, full-scale historic biplanes.
Owney's Badge Harness: Postal Museum: Find Owney the Dog and count his metallic tokens.
The Carpeted Subway: Yellow Line: Check the train floor for dark industrial carpeting.
The Dynamic Prism: Express Lanes: Spot the overhead toll signs changing price in real-time.
The Loblolly Corridor: I-64 Highway: Spot the straight-trunked Loblolly Pines with high, tufted branches.
Georgian Alignment: Resort Arrival: Confirm the windows on the left match the right side at Patrick Henry Square.

Saturday: Colonial Crossing

The Rigging Line: Jamestown: Spot the hand-tied hemp rope pulley structures on the three replica ships.
Powhatan Hearth: Jamestown Fort: Find the clay fire pits inside the reed longhouses.
James River Marker: Scotland Ferry: Count the channel navigation buoys from the deck.
Million-Dollar Collar: Ham Museum: Find the 1902 Gwaltney Cured Ham and spot its brass pet collar.

Sunday: Revolutionary City

The Palace Arms Wall: Governor's Palace: Look at the entry walls formed out of genuine 18th-century muskets and swords.
The British Seal: Historic Capitol: Find the wooden carving of the British Coat of Arms (Lion and Unicorn).
The Tricorn March: Duke of Gloucester: Spot the brass buttons and hats on the marching Fifes and Drums unit.
Cherry Red Iron: Blacksmith Shop: Watch the leather bellows push air into the hot coals to heat up the metal.

Monday: Yorktown Triumph

The Battery Fuse: Yorktown Museum: Find the slow-burning match ropes used by the Continental artillery crews.
The Siege Trench: Battlefield Loop: Locate the low earthwork mounds representing the American zig-zag lines.
The Riverwalk Drift: Riverwalk Landing: Count the sailboat masts visible across the York River channel from your lunch bench.
Pack-Up Alarm: Resort Kitchen: Spot the master luggage checklist attached to the fridge to prep for our 5:45 AM departure.

Tuesday: Museum of the Bible

Curved Organic Shell: Indian Museum Blitz: Look up at the sweeping, circular tiers of golden Minnesota limestone architecture.
The Solar Axis: Indian Museum Atrium: Find the central skylight aligned to capture rays along a natural celestial path.
Flaming Arrow Scripture: Bible Museum: Spot the references to Proverbs 26 regarding hurtful speech and controlling the tongue.
The Double Cooper Wrap: During the ride to DC: Verify that your breakfast sandwich wrapper used as a built-in hand-wipe napkin has been picked up and stuffed in our makeshift garbage bag along with anything else we need to throw in the garbage by the time we get out at the museum. This will make it easier for us to spot any stray items when we drop off the van at the airport.

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🎒 Packing Check

Before you zip the bag, check the little things!

✈️ Travel Clothes - IMPORTANT

Your Travel Outfit

Wednesday and Tuesday use the SAME outfit.

Pick the outfit you'll wear Wednesday for travel Pack the rest of your clothes DO NOT pack your travel outfit Lay your travel outfit on top of your packed bag

That same outfit will be your Tuesday travel-home outfit.

👕 Clothes to Pack

Washington, DC

Thursday outfit Friday outfit

Sleep

Sleepwear

One set is enough. Most people don't need fresh pajamas every night.

Williamsburg

We're doing laundry each night!

Wear it → Wash it → Wear clean clothes.

You don't need seven days of clothes.

📱 Electronics

Cell phone Phone charging cable Charging block Watch charger Earbuds / headphones Portable battery pack, if you use one

🪪 Important Stuff

Driver's license / photo ID Wallet Credit/debit cards Cash Personal medications or necessities Glasses / contacts / contact supplies

🧴 Personal Items

Toothbrush & toothpaste Razor / makeup & related supplies Hairbrush / comb Sunscreen Lip balm

Soap and shampoo are provided.

If you want something special instead, that's your responsibility to bring.

👟 Easy-to-Forget Stuff

Comfortable walking shoes Extra socks Underwear Jacket / sweatshirt Weather-appropriate clothing Hat, if wanted

✈️ Flight & Day Trip Items

Water bottle Flight snacks Small day bag / backpack, if desired

🧺 The Williamsburg Laundry Plan

Friday night and the rest of our Williamsburg stay: laundry is part of the plan.

We have a washer at the resort, so we're intentionally packing light.

The Strategy

Wednesday: Wear your travel outfit
Thursday: Wear Thursday clothes
Friday: Wear Friday clothes
Williamsburg: Wear → Wash → Repeat
Tuesday: Put on your travel outfit again → Go home

⭐ Most Important

Your Wednesday travel outfit does NOT go in the suitcase.

Lay it on top of your packed bag.

That way, when it's time to leave Wednesday morning, you don't have to dig through your suitcase wondering what you were planning to wear.

Pack light. We'll have a washing machine.

Choose who you are

Choose who you are: