That’s correct, it took Gary and I two days to see all of this museum. We also saw all of the IMAX shows, so maybe that is why it took so long. But who could resist seeing the Hubble photos in 3D?
Amelia Earheart’s plane
first nonstop transcontinental flight
John Glenn’s space suit
worn on the moon on Apollo 15
Russian moon suit
This museum is not part of the national park system, so you have to fork over some dough to get in. However, Gary really enjoyed this museum. First thing you see is the volks wagon used by Ted Bundy. Museum has lots of artifacts and some replicas of items used to commit murder and items used for punishment.
flag carried by Jesse James
Bonnie and Clyde
Ford’s Theater is part of the National Park system, so there is no cost to visit the Theater and Museum. However, you will need to stand in line to get a ticket because there are so many people. The basement is a museum that depicts the Lincoln’s presidency. A few short videos are available for viewing. After the museum, you can go up to the theater to see the box where Lincoln was sitting when Booth shot him. Across the street is the place where Lincoln died.
gun used to shoot Lincoln
Finally got to see Arlington. We went to Kennedy’s grave and got to see the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier. There is also a tour of the home that Robert E. Lee lived in before the civil war. There are no food facilities at Arlington, so if you go, make sure you eat lunch.
tomb of unknown soldier
First battle of the Civil War. In fact, two battles took place here. Citizens of Manassas woke up one morning a found federal and confederates on there farms getting ready to do battle. Can you imagine cannons going off in your front yard or at your back door? It’s always amazing to see how much ground the battles occupy.
Andrew Jackson got the nickname of Stonewall at this battle.
This stone house was used as a hospital.
no doubt who won this battle.
Took a drive to Mount Vernon. Must say that we do not like Washington DC traffic. Lots of things to do at Mount Vernon. Lots of movies to see also. We toured Washington’s home. There are people in each room to tell you what happened in each room. Worked good when the other people in your group were quiet. Have to pay to tour Mt. Vernon, $15 each. If you go, be sure to watch all the movies.
Washington grew all kinds of flowers and plants on his farm.
Necessity house
This section contained a few relics from the early settlers that came to American. Very small section.
I was hoping there would be lots of Egyptian artifacts, but there were only 2 small displays, still enjoyed them though.
Walking toward the exhibit of the insects, we could hear a young boy say, “Did you see those big spiders?” Sure perked up our interest. We looked, and sure enough, there were some big spiders. Not that many insects to be seen, but those we did see were some we had never seen before, and sure wouldn’t want to see them out of their little glass boxes.
Can you see the katydid?
Some of those dinosaurs were really big. We really enjoyed seeing all the bones of dinosaurs and other rare animals. Must say we spent a lot of time looking at bones.
Can you say beautiful, gorgeous, priceless, shinny? If you can, you just said quite a few adjectives to describe the gem collection at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum. Pictures do not do justice to how pretty these gems are.
Hope diamond
So many mammals I had never heard of. The displays in this section of the museum are wonderful. Displays show the mammals doing something they would do in the wild.
For a fee, $5 for members, $5.50 for others, you can go into the butterfly exhibit at the Natural History Museum. Gary went down to the café while I got to explore the exhibit. Wonderful time. Butterflies were flying all over the place. Some of them only live for 2 weeks, some just days. I could have stayed all day. If you go, be sure to take in this exhibit.
do the tips of this moth’s wing look like the head of a snake?
