The Smithsonian

We spent two days visiting the Smithsonian and we barely scratched the surface. We did a "highlights" tour and saw The Natural History Museum (meet "Henry" below), the American History Museum and the newly re-opened Air and Space Museum. We returned the next day to complete the American History Museum by focusing on "America at War" and Transportation. In many ways, the exhibits seemed like America's attic. Some seemed like a hodge-podge of individual displays. Other times, they were blockbusters.

Here's Henry, the African elephant greeting visitors to the Natural History Museum. He gets his name from the then current president of the Smithsonian when he was acquired.

In keeping with the "large" theme, here is an Easter Island statue.

And a Tyrannesaurus Rex devouring a Triceratops.

A mastodon:

And, to complete the large theme, the Hope Diamond.

On to the American History Museum

There isn't a consistent theme here. But George Washington is ever-present, even in this somewhat glamorous rendition with great abs and a finger pointing to the Heavens. He offers his sword as part of his stepping down as General and the Presidency.

Here is the flag, or what's left of it after the British bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore as well as snippets taken by souvenir hunters at county fairs.

Part of Benedict Arnold's fleet of boats that attacked the British fleet at Valcour Island in Lake Champlain. Arnold lost the battle since he was outgunned, but he succeeded in delaying the British advance down the Lake. This meant that the American victories at Bennington and Saratoga were possible.

And the final stages of the seige at Yorktown:

And Lincoln's top hat from the night he and Mrs. Lincoln went to Ford's Theatre together.

And the incredibly moving Columbia crying over Lincoln's casket.

Trains are featured, including this John Bull:

The first car to drive across the country:

And The Air & Space Museum:

This is where flight began, incredibly, at the turn of the 20th century.

And the gentlemen who made it happen. The fellow leaning on Orville is our tour guide, Dash.

Only a few years later, there were dogfights with airplanes in World War I.

Here's Lindberg's Spirit of St. Louis, flying across the Atlantic in 1927.

And 40 years later, we were making supersonic flights and space shots!

And

On to the Moon:

A 160-pound space suit:

Space capsules:

And the lunar module:

Of course, the future isn't on display, but SpaceX and Blue Origin will some day occupy exhibit space here.

Until then, we bid adieu.

Cheers,

Brio