Spring Break Part 3

While Wendy and Jeff were here we took them to see the Idaho State Capitol Building. It just re-opened in January after a two and a half year building restoration and expansion project. And since Adam works there, and has keys to most doors, we were able to show them around behind the scenes a little more than we might have otherwise.

Here is the outside of the building (as taken through the front window of Jeff’s truck). Thanks Wendy for taking so many great pictures of your trip and sharing them with us!

 

I love how beautiful this back stair case is – marble stairs and Brazilian Mahogany railings. But it also makes me very tippy to look down four floors. And I am also a paranoid mommy and get so nervous when the kids want to lean over the rail to see down to the bottom! 

This is the gallery in the House of Representatives Chamber. This is where the public can sit and watch the proceedings. 

This is the dome in the same room. Please take notice of how low the wall is where the kids are standing. I think it is just higher than my knees. I might have been a tiny bit nervous when the kids were running around, leaning over the edge to see below, and sitting on the railing!

This is the Chamber Floor where the representatives sit  and debate laws. And of course cute Mitchell posing in the gallery.

 

 

Oh this is a fun picture. Part of the reason the Capitol Building was renovated was to add more space to the building. More space for the workers, and more space for the public to be able to come and participate in their state’s politics. So they did this by adding two underground wings extending from each side of the building – one east wing and one west wing. Consequently, there were a number of trees that needed to be removed from the land that was going to be developed. These trees happened to have been planted by former United States Presidents. So the trees were cut, and given to local Idaho resident artists to create wood sculptures of their choosing. Here is one of the pieces which was created.

Here we are going into the Senate side. This is on the west side of the Capitol building (the House side being on the east). Take notice of the beautiful red drapes hanging on the wall. These were put up as part of the remodel to restore it back to it’s original look. Originally the curtain was the only thing separating the public from the Senators. It made it so that notes could be passed into the chamber without being seen. Today there is actually a wall between the curtains, but the look is original. 

 

This is the President of the Senate’s seat (also known as the Lieutenant Governor). I think we all make good looking Senators.

   

 

This is the Senate quiet room directly behind the chamber. The Senators can come here to relax and talk. I think all the details of the wood paneling and moldings are just beautiful. Unfortunately for the Senators, that stripy couch is maybe the most uncomfortable couch ever.

 

This is the first floor hallway outside of Adam's office space area.

 

And here are the kids laying on the floor in the middle of the rotunda.

 

Apparently laying on this floor is a long standing tradition. When the kids are in fourth grade they take a field trip to the Capitol Building, and this is one of the things they do (at least that’s what I hear from our Governor). 

Even Jeff had to try. I’m not sure if Wendy ever did, but I gave it a shot also. I don’t think Adam laid down, but since he works here I’m sure he tries it out regularly. In his suit. During session. When senators and representatives and the governor are walking around. Ha ha ha, just kidding.

 

So here is what we were all looking at! Of course a picture can never do it justice. But where we were laying was the ground floor. So we were looking up through four floors (which are all open to the rotunda) and then far beyond to the ceiling. If you look closely you can see stars painted in the very center circle. It really is a beautiful sight.

Thanks to Adam for giving me correct wording, phrasing and terminology while I made this post. Otherwise you would have read a lot of wrong information, silly ideas, and  embarrassing (for me) thoughts on what these pictures were about. :)