Just because we were there. While in the US, we headed to South Carolina for a long weekend with family. I drove the children down from PA, and Jeff flew down to meet us. We all drove back together and since Washington is on the way, we stopped. Who can resist the siren call of the Air and Space Museum?
One of the things that struck me on this, my third or fourth visit to Washington as a tourist, is how very young it is. Having spent the last month viewing crumbling ruins a millennium old, D.C. comes across as being very bright and shiny, in a gorgeous, gleaming new kind of way.
There's a castle, of course, but, it's just not quite the same.
And this. Yes, Virginia, people pee inside in this country, even when they are outside.
And on this trip, I was also struck by how very hot it was. We froze in Ireland and arrived on the East Coast, USA during a spell of what had to be the hottest weather for the longest period I've experienced north of the Mason Dixon line.
The heat did not stop Hope from riding the carousel. Anyone else have fond memories of this carousel? I will tell you it costs $3.50US to ride the thing and I did not begrudge it.
The heat certainly did not stop Jeff from dashing up to the Capitol while the rest of us were hanging in the air conditioned splendor that is the Air and Space and procuring tickets for us to watch the Senate in action. Wait, is that an oxymoron? "Senate in action?" Our timing was good in that they were hours away from the budget deadline, but, the public action while we were watching was quite tame.
However, we did spend the majority of our time in the good ol' Air and Space. Tom was astonished by it and has declared that he must go back. He did not get what he considers a "proper visit" (that's when you go when it opens and leave when it closes - kid loves museums so long as they have nothing to do with "art"), and so I am sure we will take him back.
We ate ice cream, saw the Vietnam and WWII memorials and ...
Had tickets to get to the top of Washington Monument, but were foiled by approaching thunderstorms.
But we walked past 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue to get back to our hotel, so that was a nice way to end the evening.
We left DC the next day via the Air and Space Udvar-Hazy center out by Dulles. Amazing stuff, if you are the sort who likes large buildings full of aircraft.
Which certain members of our party do.
With that, we headed off for Pennsylvania, and shortly thereafter, back to Brno.
Next: A Proper Castle
Sounds like a fine patriotic trip.
Posted by: Monica | August 17, 2011 at 05:49 AM
Tell Tom 'when' you guys move to Virginia he will be able to visit the Air & Space Center as often as possible. ;)
Posted by: Debbie Hanson | August 18, 2011 at 06:29 PM
My kids loved the Air & Space Center, as did I!
Posted by: Jennifer | August 19, 2011 at 07:16 AM
I'm not sure I can imagine anyone *not* liking it. Although that might be the science geek in me talking.
Posted by: Ellen | August 22, 2011 at 06:35 AM
@Debbie, will do! I wouldn't mind being within two hours of DC. Although maybe three would be more sensible.
Posted by: Ellen | August 22, 2011 at 06:36 AM
I have loved the Air & Space since before I can remember. I moved to Northern Virginia when I was 4, but we visited often before that because that's where my grandmother lived. My brother still lives in the area, and it is great excuse to go. Still haven't gotten out to Udvar-Hazy, though!
As for the carousel, I lived in the small town that housed both a carousel factory (Herschell Carousel) and the Wurlitzer pipe organ facotry. Ever wonder why they always go together? They were made across town from each other.
Yay for DC!
Posted by: Gwynna | August 23, 2011 at 01:41 AM