Darn it, but I can't remember the name of our driver! My tour was on a Wednesday evening however, (Nov. 13, 2019) so hopefully the owners/management give him my kudos. He was extremely knowledgeable and provided lots of insight as he drove our small group around the memorials for gorgeous evening views. It was unseasonably cold that night (about 25 degrees), but he kept the car warm and inviting waiting for us to hop back in after we'd hurry back from taking our photos. I was on my own, and the other passengers were two other couples (a married couple and a mother and daughter). Everyone agreed that our driver and the overall experience was top-notch. Despite the cold weather, the only downside was the crowds -- lots and lots of school teens whose teachers/chaperones definitely had not had any influence on delivering respect for the sites we were all visiting. They were loud, ran around, slid across the marble floors and generally interrupted our visit. When I mentioned how obnoxious the kids were to our driver, he mentioned his technique when he gives tours to school groups. (He is a second-generation tour guide in D.C. His father was one as well.) He explained how he tells the kids that their actions and behaviors reflect on him and other tour guides and have a lasting influence on their reputations long after the kids have returned home. He asks them to consider their impact on others as they are visiting the memorials. He said these talks help considerably, and I was impressed by his sincerity in trying to help the kids be more respectful. Anyway, besides being an awesome guide, he was also wonderful in getting all of us back to our respective dwellings after the tour was over. With the extreme cold, that was an even greater gift of not having to worry about catching an Uber or taxi home at the late hour. (The tour is about 3 hours long and starts at 7. And while it picks up in a busy area that would likely have had quick service in getting an Uber, it was nice not having to consider where I could shelter for the few minutes I'd be waiting for my ride to arrive.)
Overall, I highly recommend the evening tour! My photos are gorgeous, and it's been nearly 3 weeks since my trip, and I'm still going back to admire them!
