Then to the Holocaust Memorial Museum to join the lines before it opened to get the tickets. A short wait we were in disbelief as to the treatment of the people by Hitler.
We stood at the base of the Washington Monument and marveled at the height, and sheltered in its shadow.
We headed west to the WWII memorial fountains and continued alongside the reflecting pool to the Nurses Monument and the Vietnam Veterans Memorials. This memorial is in two parts, one is a wall of all the names of those who lost their lives and the other a bronze statue of three men.
At the end of the reflecting pool is Lincoln Memorial were a lot of the famous presidential speech's occurred. A giant statue of Lincoln sits upon a chair with two of his famous speech's engraved on the walls "Four score and seven years ago.."
Walking up the other side of the pool we passed the Korean War Veterans Memorial and World War Memorial.
A stop at the Smithsonian Castle for lunch provided our feet a great rest and helped empty our wallets.
At the National Air and Space Museum we saw the second plane to fly - The Wright brothers plane, despite them saying it was the first but we all know Pierse flew first. Numerous planes and space rockets full this huge museum.
At the other end of the Plaza we walked around the US capitol, heavily guarded with police with guns and spare clips in full display. About this time Aaron's camera battery went flat after about 300 photos so a quick swap around and the photos continued.
At the National Museum of Natural History (Yet another free Smithsonian museum) we saw the bones of the Kiwi, Moa and T Rex (The tuatara bones had been removed). The 45.52 carats Hope Diamond. One of the most flawless gems.
Back at the hotel for an hour then a drive around the main monuments for night photographs. Washington, US Capital, Marine Corps Memorial, Lincoln and the White House. What a long day walking in the heat.
Day two in DC we headed to the National Museum of American History. From C3PO, model boats, Lincoln's top hat, the giant US flag "The Star Spangled Banner" that lead to their national Anthem. Kermit the Frog and Oscar the Grouch also made an appearance including the Ruby Red Slippers from the Wizard of Oz.
A stroll to the National Archives we saw the original documents - Magna Cata from 1200 something. The Declaration of Independence, Constitution of the USA and the Bill of Rights. All this on the day Edward Kennerdy died.
Back at the hotel we meet up with Frasers work mate Brian Gadde and had a dip in the swimming pool before pizza with his wife and daughter. To work off dinner we walked to the Washington Monument and White House.
Today we drove north for 7 and a half hours to Lake Erie and the town of Sandusky. A small historic town dating from 1818 - and it shows, its a bit run down in the Historic Town centre. Not to worry the hotel is nice and not too far from tomorrows adventures.
1 comment:
That Washington Monuments looks massive.We wish we were with you guys, it looks fantastic. M&D
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