As expected, using the technology available in the iPhone, we easily navigated the train transfer to put us just one block away from the Museum of Natural History. Unfortunately, there was a serious screening going on and lines had developed front and rear. So, we jumped in line at the front entrance and began a 30-minute zig-zag trek up the ramp to the front door.
Once inside, the air conditioning and a giant elephant welcomed us into a 360 degree, 3-story lobby area with well-labeled entrances into the various areas of the museum. We walked through every area except for the Museum of Insects. Louise and I decided giant spiders would not be conducive to a good night's sleep. Ha!
Animal exhibits looked alive but frozen in time ... so real to be almost scary. I can't remember when the glass was added, but it seems that when I see this museum in a Hollywood production there is no glass. My only complaint is the glass makes taking pictures virtually impossible at some exhibits due to the glare.
The prehistoric area was incredible! There were creatures here that we never saw before and the presentation left little to the imagination.
I found this little fellow while wandering around and offered him my finger. Thankfully, he was also frozen in time!
We continued through the many areas of the museum, on 3 floors, and saw everything from the Hope Diamond, to the museum's thoughts on the evolution of mankind, to the mummies from Egypt. It was interesting to find many of the gem exhibits, especially the "gold" examples, from the Gold County around Auburn and Grass Valley ... it felt good to see a little bit of home here in DC.
Anyway, these few pictures hardly scratch the surface on what we saw of the different and interesting exhibits here; very well-done.
Well, before I let you move on, we did one more thing on the way back to the RV ... we stopped at Arlington National Cemetery. This is a tour you want to do in the morning, as the 1/2 mile walk from the train station, then another 1/2-mile walk, mostly uphill, to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is not something you want to do in 85+ degree, very humid weather. Ask us how we know this? Hmmm?
Our guide from earlier in the week told us there are 30 burials a day here, and we witnessed two during our visit, with 21-gun salute and all. We stayed long enough to see the changing of the guard at the Tomb ... an incredible experience in itself, especially in the hot and muggy weather. Such and impressive and solemn ceremony!
Of course, I'm sure you recognize the name above. President Kennedy and other important people are buried here too, but the heat got to us and we decided to head back to the train. BTW, that figure in the the glass case at the entrance was so real ... I truly expected him to move at any moment!
So, tomorrow the Museum of Air & Space opens after being closed since the pandemic, and we are going to try and be at the front of the line. Actually, it's one of the closest museums to our location, so no transfers or major walking.
Great pictures!
ReplyDelete