One of Myron and Karen's wishes was to stop at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. This was a truly impressive Catholic Church. It is part museum and active church. The church's foundation stone was laid in 1920 and was finally dedicated in 1959. It took many years to complete due to wars and other maladies. The pictures do not do it justice as to the majestic stature of this church

 As you can see behind Myron who is at the bottom of the steps the massive doors behind him. They were not easy to open for the weight of them.

 The engravings all around the entrance and throughout the church were something to behold.

 This was the best I could do with the actual church proper as we thought there was something going on as there were a lot of people sitting in there. The organ also started playing and I didn't want to look like a stupid tourist and start snapping pics during something solemn. We instead worked our way across the back and then downstairs to the crypt level.

 I did manage to zoom in on a couple of the domes that had some frescos painted on them. Also there was a lot of gold inlay or tiles on these domes. Like I said the pictures don't do it justice.

 This is one of 69 small chapels within the church. The Virgin Mary and Jesus was done as a fresco and surrounded by gold tiles.

 Next to this chapel was the dedication to the Knights of Columbus. As most all of you know, Myron was a member of the Knights and he also was a General Agent with his own agency that sold insurance with the Knights.

 This is just one of the stain glass windows. This one is dedicated to Christopher Columbus as it was in the area of the Knights of Columbus. I couldn't get to the rest of the glass as I said before they also were located in the main church.

 I believe that this chapel was dedicated to either Our Lady of Fatima or Mary. I can't remember.

This is the crypt level, which by the way most of these beautiful chapels are located in. The Crypt level lays a vision of dead people buried in the walls. This is not what it is. The Crypt level just means lower level. It is more romantic then the basement. Anyway, all the names in the crypt are the people, families, and organizations who helped pay for the construction of the shrine. The names go on for what seems like forever,.

 Myron was extremely grateful to be able to visit this memorial and shrine. He is not often taken to soft descriptions but he was here. Glad we were able to share this with both of them,.

 Had to get my fat body in here somewhere. I needed to go here too as I need all the help I can get.