Mr. Rogers/Mr. Mann Go To Washington

[second class citizen]

We're going to Washington!!!!

JW and I are heading to our Nation's Capitol to catch the dual Lincoln/Darwin Bicentennial Celebrations this mid-Feb.

Will we see Obama?! Probably not, but JW will be calling our Congresswoman to see about getting passes into the Capitol and the White House, so maybe, just MAYBE, if we get in, we'll catch a glimpse of Barack! (But I'm not holding my breath.)

We DO have a stop over in Salt Lake City on the way there, so we'll be SURE to wear our No On 8 t's and caps for any of those boarding Mormons.

In addition to seeing all the wonderful things along the Mall, I'm looking forward to the "Orchids Through Darwin's Eyes" exhibit the "Smith" will be having to help celebrate the "genius of evolution".

Now I can finally have a use for all those warm wool clothes and leather jackets I brought out here from the East coast...if they don't look to 80ish or have holes in them.

If so....then "pre-Washington shopping spree!"

[alphabassettgrrl]

How exciting!!!

[JWBear]

Love the new avatar, sweetie. Very appropriate!

[innerSpaceman]

Wow! Maybe a little cold for outright jealousy, but I certainly am envious.

Snow should look good against all the white monuments.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Yay! We're hoping to afford a trip out there ourselves. I've never been :)

[Snowflake]

Wow! This is great news! Exciting and take loads of pics!

I'm tentatively planning a trip in the fall, visit friends and see if I can get a White House tour, too. I need to make up for some of the touristy things I never did when I lived there.

[Kevy Baby]

Color me jealous! Have a great time

[JWBear]

Just called Rep Richardson's office. We got rezzies for the Capitol tour. The White House is iffy. They are going to try and get us on the tour, but it's unlikely they can on such short notice.

We have a lot to pack in in four days!

[cirquelover]

Have a great time! I can't wait to see the pics. I've always wanted to see the Smithsonian, I can't wait to hear about it!

[Moonliner]

Do you have some specific events you are planning to attend?

[JWBear]

Do you have some specific events you are planning to attend?

No, not really.

[Kevy Baby]

When I go to DC, I will need to spend at least a couple of days at the Smithsonian.




While I am evading Moonliner of course.

[Moonliner]

While I am evading Moonliner of course.

Good luck with that, I'm an expert marksman.

[second class citizen]

Do you have some specific events you are planning to attend?

I don't know about JW, but I intend on seeing the National Museum of Natural History's "Orchids Through The Eyes of Darwin" that's going to be on exhibit to help celebrate Darwin's birthday. I'm a HUGE orchids fan (had about thirty at one point) and grow them on our patio.

Afterwards, I'm heading over to the museum's Butterfly Pavilion.

I also want to go by the Botanical Gardens while we're there in DC and, of course, the Capitol and the Library of Congress.

I also have not yet seen the new WWII Memorial and JW has never seen Maya Lin's Vietnam Memorial, so I will want to revisit that with him. Personally I don't know of anyone who is honored there, but it's such incredibly powerful symbolic architecture.

[katiesue]

I'm totally jealous. Can't wait to hear all about your adventures.

[Not Afraid]

The last time I was in Washington was when I was 15. We actually extended our stay because I (the "I" who didn't want to be on a trip with Mom and Dad) LOVED DC and adored the museums. It was one of the highlights of our 6-week cross country driving trip.

[JWBear]

SCS should know me enough to know that we will be cramming in every museum we can. :evil:

NA, you must have been there about a year before the last time I was there! It was November 1977. I spent my 16th birthday there.

[Not Afraid]

August 1977.

[JWBear]

Ah! Just a few months earlier. We just missed each other!

[JWBear]

Ok... We're all packed. Going to bed shortly so we can get up at the lovely hour of 2:30am for our 6:05 flight. Next time you hear from us, we'll be in DC!

[alphabassettgrrl]

Travel safely!

[Moonliner]

Perfect timing!

Disney on Ice is here this weekend. You can catch their salute to classic Disneyland attractions like the Jungle Cruise and Pirates!

[JWBear]

We're here! We got in last night, but we were so tired we just had dinner and went to bed. We're leaving in a few for the Capitol. Hotel is nice, but our only view is of the HUD building. We can wave to the office workers...

[Moonliner]

Enjoy your trip, You will be getting some slightly better than average weather!

I'll be down around the Lincoln Memorial Sunday morning, wave if you see me.

[Snowflake]

Have a great time guys! Take loads of pics!

[cirquelover]

I'm glad you made it safe and sound. Have a wonderful time and take lots of pics!

[Kevy Baby]

Say hi to Barack for me!

[JWBear]

Enjoy your trip, You will be getting some slightly better than average weather!

I'll be down around the Lincoln Memorial Sunday morning, wave if you see me.

We were planning on "doing" the memorials on Sunday. Maybe we can meet up.

[JWBear]

Day One:

We had reservations for the 10:10 tour of the Capitol. We left the hotel about 9:00, and got to Capitol Hill around 9:30ish. The Capitol Visitors Center is beautiful. After a 15 minute film, we were given headphones (to hear our tourguide) and whisked up a long escalator and into the Capitol. I was kind of disappointed by the tour. It only lasted about 30 minutes, we only got to see a couple of the historic areas of the building. And we were sped through so fast you couldn't really see much of even that.

After the tour, we had an early lunch at the buffeteria in the Visitor Center. Very good food, but (as with everything here, we're discovering) a little pricey. There was a nice gift shop there too (actually, 2 identical gift shops). I saw a cool book on the architecture of the Capitol, but it was huge, and felt like it weighed about 20 pounds. There was no way I was getting it home, so I passed. (And it was only $40... Sigh...)

Next, we went up to the plaza east of the Capitol. It was interesting to note the guards armed with machine guns standing on the steps of the Capitol - steps that are now off limits. I can remember being there as a kid in the 70's and climbing those stairs. Back then, you didn't need a prearranged tour, and could wander all over the building. Times have changed.

Then it was on to the Library of Congress's Jefferson Building (the original LOC building, built in the 1890's). The interior is an incredible Victorian confection. After the British burned Washington in 1814, Thomas Jefferson sold his entire personal library of over 6,000 volumes to Congress. This became the core of the LOC collection. Two thirds of the Jefferson books were lost in a fire in 1851. The LOC is now trying to recreate Jefferson's library. There is a display room where they have assembled the 2,000+ surviving originals along with period and modern copies of about 3,000 of the lost volumes. The plan is to replace the other 1,000 or so missing volumes in time. The books are all arranged as Jefferson originally categorized them, using a system of his own devising. It was fascinating browsing over the shelves, and seeing what topics caught his interest.

The LOC also had an interesting temporary exhibit on Lincoln. Included was one of the five copies of the Gettysburg Address in his own handwriting, the Bible that he used at his first inauguration (and that Obama used last month at his), the items in his pockets the night he was assassinated, and the handwritten notes from his autopsy that are stained in his blood.

After a brief stop to take pictures at the Supreme Court Building (we didn't go inside, except to take a peek into the outer lobby) we headed over to Union Station. This massive Gilded Age edifice has recently been restored - the original platforms turned into a huge shopping mall. After poking around there, we headed a couple blocks to an Irish pub/restaurant, recommended to us by a friend, called The Dubliner. We had a lovely dinner there, and then came back to the hotel.

[JWBear]

Day 1.5:

People who check into a fine hotel with 20 rambunctious teens, and then do nothing as said teens run up and down the halls screaming and slamming doors at all hours of the night even after five visits from hotel security, should be taken out and shot.

[innerSpaceman]

Maybe you can make a friendly tourist-to-tourist recommendation they go climb the Capitol steps ... where they can be mowed down by machine-gun fire.

[cirquelover]

You'd think after 5 visits from security they would be told to pack up and leave! I sure hope they're not still there tonight and you can have a restful nights sleep! I hope you're having a great day touring the town!

[lashbear]

JW: I take it you're in Washington DC, not AC ? :D

The LOC also had an interesting temporary exhibit on Lincoln. Included .....the handwritten notes from his autopsy that are stained in his blood..
I reckon they should get Lincoln's DNA from the blood, and make a clone !

People who check into a fine hotel with 20 rambunctious teens, and then do nothing as said teens run up and down the halls screaming and slamming doors at all hours of the night even after five visits from hotel security, should be taken out and shot.
I'd be calling the hotel manager personally every five minutes until he kicked them out. :mad:

[JWBear]

Day 2:

A visit to the front desk to complain further regarding the devil’s children. We were assured that they would not be staying in the hotel any further nights. We were also comped a free breakfast buffet in the restaurant (which was welcome, as the food there is wonderful but costly).

Off to the Smithsonian Castle. We didn’t spend much time, as we signed up for a members only tour taking place tomorrow morning. Then it was across the Mall to the Museum of Natural History. Bill was dying to see the “Orchids Through the Eyes of Darwin” exhibit, so we went here first. Very pretty, but boring to me after a couple of minutes. So I wandered around the Mammal Hall while Bill absorbed the exhibit. He also wanted to see the butterfly exhibit, but when we got up there, we found there was a $6 admission, so we passed on it. The next thing was something I wanted to see – the exhibit on forensics called “Written in Bone”. The facial reconstructions were very haunting. Lastly, we paid a call on the Hope Diamond. Not as impressive as I remember it. By that time, we were ready to eat. So we ate in the museum’s Atrium Café.

After lunch, we walked up to the Museum of American History. It was packed! We didn’t get to see any of the really good stuff - the Star Spangled Banner, the First Ladies’ Dresses, the Lincoln Exhibit, or the exhibit with all the famous movie and TV memorabilia - because they all had looooong lines. The worst one was for the Star Spangled Banner; it snaked all over the main lobby. We finally gave up and left. I am seriously bummed-out.

On the way back to the hotel, my ankle started to hurt. We decided to forgo our planned romantic Valentines Day dinner out, and ordered room service instead.

I’m hoping my ankle is better in the morning, because we have a busy day planned!

[innerSpaceman]

Eh, it's just a ratty old flag.


Hope you two had a romantic 'room service' valentines night in at your swanky, devil-free hotel.

[JWBear]

Day 3:

Monument Trek… (Keeping it simple)

Jefferson – big. Round. Geese… Lots of geese.
FDR – Snow in the nooks and crannies.
Korean Veterans – Eh…
Lincoln – Great view, cute Ranger.
Vietnam – Tourist circus.
WWII – BIG. Deco.
Washington – Tall.

Walk up to the White House. Visited the Visitors Center (actual furnishings on display, including a Bellange chair (http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2c/BlueRoombellange.jpg/180px-BlueRoombellange.jpg&imgrefurl=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre-Antoine_Bellange&usg=__J68hekIKxZlUT5lP_F5lG8dB3H8=&h=180&w=180&sz=10&hl=en&start=15&um=1&tbnid=0nu2ok9m46PJHM:&tbnh=101&tbnw=101&prev=/images%3Fq%3DBellange%2Bwhite%2Bhouse%26um%3D1%26h l%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN) - cool). Still taking down the reviewing stand.

Back to room. Rest. Dinner at good Mongolian BBQ place in Chinatown. Back to room again. Exhausted.

[cirquelover]

Did you enjoy the Smithsonian tour?


I hope your ankle survived all the monuments, it looks like a busy day!

[Not Afraid]

LOL! I got a call from the guys this morning. They were standing in line outside of the National Archive in 39 degree weather and they wern't letting any more people in. I guess they got bored and Bill said "Call Lisa". :cool:

I hope they get into the archive and are able to get to the National Gallery today.

[JWBear]

...in 39 degree weather...

I wish it had been that warm!

[Moonliner]

I wish it had been that warm!

Heh, you know them SoCal'ers anything below 50 is off the map "there be monsters here" time.

[JWBear]

Day 4:

We decided to go back to the Museum of American History to see if we could catch some of the exhibits we missed on Saturday due to the crowds. We got to see the Star Spangled Banner and the First Ladies exhibit. I was disappointed by the First ladies. They had about 6 dresses in plain display cases crammed in one tiny room. I remember them having something from just about all the First Ladies; set up in displays that recreated historic White House interiors. What happened? And why would they give such a crappy presentation for something that is one of the Smithsonian’s most popular exhibits?

Note: If you are planning on visiting DC, try and avoid eating at the Smithsonian Museum cafes. While they are very convenient, they are rather pricey and overrun with screaming children. My eardrums are still ringing from lunch today.

Next, we walked over to the National Archives to see the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. There was a line, but it was moving fairly quickly… that is, until we got about 20 feet from the door. It stopped. We stood there, in the cold, in the shade for almost an hour. No one ever came out to tell us why they weren’t letting anyone in. (We found out later that it was due to fire codes; too many people in the building. They couldn’t let any more in until some left.) Why we didn’t give up and leave, I don’t know; but we didn’t. Finally, we were let in; only to get in another line to see the famous documents! Fortunately, this line was only about 15 minutes; and was INSIDE.

After we had our fill of old parchment, we headed across the street to the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden. There is a café there, and we needed some fortification. It’s a very pretty little park, and it has a very European feeling to it. There were people ice skating in the fountain in the center. After a light refreshment, we headed into the museum itself, only to find it was closing in 40 minutes! Bill rushed off to see the Impressionists, and I took a quick walk through of that, and some of the other galleries. We met back at the lobby just as the closing bell rang. We could have spent an entire day there!

We’re back in the room now, and about to head out for dinner.

[alphabassettgrrl]

Next, we walked over to the National Archives to see the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Oooooohhhhhhhh, I'm jealous! Between the old parchments and the museums.... awesome. I'm so glad you're doing these daily summaries!

[innerSpaceman]

One of my fondest memories of my single visit to D.C. was hitting the National Archives late at night, just before closing. My two friends and I had the place all to ourselves, we got to ogle the documents for as long as we pleased, and got a private talk of the history from the staff.

It was so frelling cool.

[JWBear]

Day 4.5:

Took the Metro to Union Station (it was worth a 2nd visit). Ate dinner at the America Restaurant (http://www.arkrestaurants.com/section_home.cfm?section_id=1&location_id=2&restaurant_id=17&sub_section_id=1&menu_type_id=2) there. Good food. Then we walked around some more. We really love the big, hunky warriors (http://andrewprokos.com/d/union-station-statues?g2_itemId=1257&g2_serialNumber=8) guarding over the station. We want some for our house.

I just realized that I haven't mentioned the hotel elevators. They announce each stop, and the direction of travel, in a sultry female voice. We've dubbed them the "Fellativators" because they are constantly announcing that they are "going down". (Yes, we are 12.)

[Gemini Cricket]

Wait, how did I miss this thread?
I love D.C.!
Tell the Library of Congress I said hi!
Make sure to go to the Senate public seating area and reenact scenes from Mr. Smith Goes to Washington! Yell out, "Let him speak!" at random times while the Senators are working! Tell Feinstein and Boxer to get to work, lazy bums!
And remember, if you shake hands with Dan Inouye, he only has one arm. Don't embarrass yourself!

[CoasterMatt]

Heh, you know them SoCal'ers anything below 50 is off the map "there be monsters here" time.
I don't wear long pants until the temp is below 40 degrees.

I've been to a game at Lambeau Field wearing shorts and body paint - and lived.

Not everybody from SoCal is a temperature wuss.

[Gemini Cricket]

The food court at the Native American Museum is pretty good. There's a salad there made with cranberries, wild rice and sunflower seeds that's really, really good.

[JWBear]

We're home! Got back to the house about midnight. Thank goodness I'm off work today!

[innerSpaceman]

Good. Then you can work on posting pictures!

[Moonliner]

We're home! Got back to the house about midnight. Thank goodness I'm off work today!

Good for you! It's 38 degrees and raining here today. Well done.

[cirquelover]

I'm glad you made it home. Now rest up and then post pics, please.

[JWBear]

Pictures are forthcoming. Rest assured.

Day 5:

We had a couple of hours to kill between checking out of the hotel and the time we needed to leave for the airport. We opted to visit the Freer Gallery because it has the Peacock Room (http://www.asia.si.edu/exhibitions/online/peacock/default.htm).

As for the trip home... The less said the better. I calculated this morning that from the time we got to the airport in DC until the time we arrived at the house was almost exactly 12 hours. Somebody needs to invent a teleporter... NOW!

[JWBear]

Oh... And even though we had to sit through it no less than four times, we still find the Delta Airlines safety video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgpzUo_kbFY) amusing... Especially the life vest queen.

[Ghoulish Delight]

In the event of a water landing, her lips can be used as a flotation device.

[Moonliner]

In the event of a water landing, her lips can be used as a flotation device.

Meh. It's all a bunch of hooey anyway. I mean really a "water landing" come on that only ever happens in movies.

[Kevy Baby]

To paraphrase Ron White, would you really want to cling to a cushion that people have been farting in for years?

[JWBear]

In the event of a water landing, her lips can be used as a flotation device.

I don't know... Is Collagen buoyant?

[JWBear]

Pictures!

Day 1 (http://s25.photobucket.com/albums/c60/JWBear61/Washington%20DC/Day%201/?albumview=slideshow)

More to follow.

[cirquelover]

Great pics, thanks for sharing. It looks like you covered a lot of ground and that was only day 1, no wonder your ankle was hurting.

[JWBear]

Day 2 (http://s25.photobucket.com/albums/c60/JWBear61/Washington%20DC/Day%202/?albumview=slideshow)

Day 3 (http://s25.photobucket.com/albums/c60/JWBear61/Washington%20DC/Day%203/?albumview=slideshow)

[cirquelover]

Wow that's so cool, all the animals, the Hope diamond,the kitchen and not to mention the architecture and views. And I'm only through Day 2.

Thank you so much for sharing your amazing chronicle of your travels!

[JWBear]

Day 4 (http://s25.photobucket.com/albums/c60/JWBear61/Washington%20DC/Day%204/?albumview=slideshow)

Day 5 (http://s25.photobucket.com/albums/c60/JWBear61/Washington%20DC/Day%205/?albumview=slideshow)

Metro Pictures (http://s25.photobucket.com/albums/c60/JWBear61/Washington%20DC/Metro%20Pictures/?albumview=slideshow)

[cirquelover]

I've never been to Washington DC, is everything, museums and monuments, really close together? It seems like you covered a lot of ground. Thank you for the wonderful pictures, I may never get there myself.


Did you have a fabulous time, overall? It looks amazing from here!

[JWBear]

DC is actually a fairly compact city, so yes, everything was close together.

And we had a marvelous time.