Adventures at the Smithsonians

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We got out a little earlier this morning and headed to the Vienna/Fairfax Metrorail station again, thinking that perhaps this time we'd find parking. We were excited when the north parking garage was still open, but after driving aroiund for 30 minutes and not finding a vacant parking spot, we gave up and went to West Falls Church station again, where we found a spot on the roof again.

We got off at Federal Triangle instead of the Smithsonian station and walked past the Ronald Reagan Building before realizing we were going in the wrong direction. We stopped and got directions to the Museum of Natural History.

What a fantastic place! The exhiibits are terrific, the animals so life-like and in such natural poses. We thoroughly enjoyed the ocean exhibits, but had to find a docent to ask what a skull with two large tusks was. Turns out it was a Narwhal with two tusks, a mutant I guess. Ethan liked the jaws from an ancient giant great white shark.

The mammal exhibits were great, too. We saw animals from Africa, North America, South America and Australia. It was neat how they put some of the animals above our heads, so when we looked up, we were surprised to see a Tiger pouncing or a wolf howling overhead.

The mineral exhibit was amazing, over 300,000 different items, including the Hope Diamond. The crystals were gorgeous and the variety of beautiful minerals was great.

Of course, we really looked forward to the dinosaurs. The T-Rex, the Triceratops, Long Necks, Sabre-toothed Tigers, Mammoths, they were all really neat. Some were the skeletons, some looked like living dinosaurs. Very well done.

After wearing ourselves out there, we headed over to the Air and Space Museum, passing the Smithsonian Castle on the way. We ate lunch outside the museum before going in, and it felt good to sit down and drink something cool and tasty. Once inside, we were fascinated by the planes hanging from the ceilings. We saw Lindbergh's Spirit of St. Louis and the real Wright Brothers' Flyer on display, along with many more. It was even interesting to see the displays of old airline pilots' and stewardess' uniforms. We didn't bother much with the space side, we were pretty much exhausted after touring the airplane side. Honestly, you could spend days at any one of the Smithsonian museums.

Once back at Deanna's, we ordered pizza and are now replete and worn out. Bed soon, I think.

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Photos

Jaws and Jaws
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History

Wolf howling
Museum of Natural History

T-Rex telling secrets
Museum of Natural History

Wright Bros Flyer
Air and Space Museum

Spirit of St. Louis
Air and Space Museum

Comments

[Barbara]

So many things to see, so little time! You have seen a lot more of DC than I have. Great PICTURES, Charlie.

[Alice]

Your trip sounds like so much fun!!! Ethan looks great--- he's so tall!!! Will you be heading our way? Pizza and wings at Genos and some of Fin's wine would be fun!!! Have a safe, enjoyable trip! Love, Alice

[peggy]

I'm jealous!! Looks like you are having a ball. What a lot of walking though. Don't get too hot! Love the photos too. Love to Deanna. Can't wait to see New England!!!!!!!! Peggy

[Linda]

Great trip!!
Hi ya'll, What a wonderful trip you are on...brings back memories when we were kids on family vacations over the summer and we would head north from Florida through the mountains headed for Virginia, NJ, NY etc. DC is just fabulous - have been there twice with the boys when they were in grade school. Love our nation's capital!! Enjoy, enjoy! Love to all.