Today was our big day--we went to the White House this morning. Sherry had been warned by Wyden's office that purses and backpacks would not be allowed. But the gentleman who we were emailing also said he had heard AAA had lockers, and they are close to the White House.
So Sherry brought her purse, because we were going to be in town all day, and she didn't want to forego that convenience.
Sadly, AAA has moved, and no longer allows members to stash stuff with them. Sherry chose to skip the White House tour, so Forrest took the boys. We were held up in line, and were not clear on why the holdup until we got inside.
That is when we realized they were just preparing for a taping of ABC Primetime: Questions for the President *Prescription for America, with Charlie Gibson and Diane Sawyer. This healthcare Q & A with Obama aired tonight, and we watched part of it.
Ian and Jeremy got to see all the wires and background setup as we moved through the rooms.
Across the street was the Washington Monument. You can't tell from this picture, but there were a lot of people, almost no shade, and it was very hot. We enjoyed it from afar, but did not go up in it. We had a very busy schedule, anyway.
We went next to the Smithsonian
"Castle," which had information and the pile of loot from "Night at the Museum: Smithsonian."
This was a hit
for the boys.
After getting all the information we needed to plan our museum day out, we headed to the Air and Space Museum. Ian liked the airplanes.
Sherry recalled the Spirit of Saint Louis was manufactured by Ryan Air. Twenty-three years ago she saw this with her family, and this time she took a picture for her brother Ryan.
Many of the exhibits in this museum are quite interactive, and the boys enjoyed it. Jeremy and Forrest even went on a flight simulator (but not the barrel roller!). Ian opted out, since we had just eaten, and his stomach didn't feel settled.
After a few hours, we moved on to the Museum of Natural History. We checked out many galleries here, until Jeremy nearly turned into a dinosaur, as you can see by this picture.
For many years now, Forrest has rejected the idea that we are descended from monkeys. Now I'm not so sure the alternative is any better!
This ratlike creature is now considered to be a close relative to the first mammal...I wonder if it leaves a pee trail everywhere it goes?
Sherry wanted to see the Hope Diamond, and we did see it. This is one of the most precious stones in the world, nearly flawless. You can read about it at HOPE DIAMOND .
The natual history museum also had an extensive butterfly collection, and Forrest took several pictures for his nieces. Here is one panel.
While in Jamestown, we learned about JR1225B, and the mystery: Who Shot JR? This is the oldest discovered skeleton from Jamestown, dating back to 1607, on loan to the Smithsonian. They talked about all the forensic evidence that was used to try to identify how and who this corpse died, and who it was. The evidence is all circumstantial, but it appears to have been a fairly young man.
After walking all day on marble floors, even Sherry was worn out!
Next we went to the American History museum, where Forrest discovered this national treasure portrait of Stephen Colbert.
He is a political comedian that uses satire to lampoon whoever happens to be in power. We have no idea how he wound up in the Smithsonian. Maybe a large donation...?
Forrest enjoyed this poem by Abraham Lincoln in the special Lincoln exhibit. He also gleaned some material for his AP Government class.
Jeremy had an opportunity to use the teleprompter and deliver Reagan's famous speech, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" He surprised us all and orated very well for a short time.
Ian liked the gunboat Philadelphia of the Continental Army. They used boats like this to prevent the British from controlling New York long enough for Washington to defeat them at Yorktown and end the Revolutionary War.
Next we went to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, where the boys reflected their naked greed while standing over a million dollars in cash. They seemed to enjoy this tour, which focused on money, a favorite subject of both boys.
We watched them running off sheets of $100 bills.
Turns out if you stacked $100 notes up to each boy's height, they would each be worth well over $1.5 million. At this point, they are out of most people's price range!
There is much more to write about from today, but that was actually yesterday, since it is 12:30 am, so this blog will have to suffice!
