We did start off at the National Air and Space Museum. I was looking at the unused duplicate of the Moon Lander thinking how very long ago forty years is. I was very excited about the exploration of space as a kid of 10. Science and technology seemed like modern day magic which would cure all earthly troubles. The last forty years have surely been filled with many miracles of modern technology but we really didn't do as much with space as I would have expected as that child.
It takes hours to rush though the exhibits. I wasn't 'museumed out' by the experiences by rapidly just taking in the overview. After that we walked across the patch of green, through the National Sculpture Gardens, to visit the National Archives. It's where the US Constitution and other famous documents are stored, so there were queues. They also provide interesting and informative exhibits from the archives. I think I would have easily enjoyed being an archivist. It seems like a profession as, if not more, noble than teaching. A 12-minute documentary film in their theatre nearly brought me to tears. I like records but that's rather obvious from a person who's become a daily blogger, isn't it?
After another Subway foot-long lunch, we hurried through the National Portrait Gallery. A few of the paintings of George Washington were very different than the traditional likeness on the dollar. I was only impressed by several paintings from the days of the Westward Expansion. You know the ones I mean which were painted to highlight the broad grandeur of the landscape. I'm thinking of Thomas Hill. Having seen plenty of the west, I know they aren't strictly capturing the scenery but rather highlight the emotions of an expansive, almost magical, environment.
Anyway, the hours just ticked by, so after a Dunkin' Donut and coffee we headed back early to the hotel at about four. It's resting time now. We can head out later, maybe, to 18th Street to find where all the ethnic restaurants are supposed to be.