Washington DC: Capital of the Nation
Washington DC is the capital of United States of America. When a new area, we find it beneficial to get the lay of the land. We knew they would not try to drive in Washington, DC with Boss. (Remember this is a one ton dual head with an extended bed and hips wide. Finding a parking space is difficult. We have heard horror stories of the ring road, not to mention the traffic in DC proper. The ring peripheral is an interstate highway system, which surrounds the city, well known to major traffic jams.
We found that DC has a wonderful Metro, train, subway, take the traveler system anywhere in the general area. First we had to find the stations near us and check a look at the parking lot. The station in College Park, is convenient, but it has a postage stamp lot. Most students use the University of Maryland this deposit through its bus service. The other station, the terminal of the Greenbelt Green Line, the planned city built after the Second World War. The parking lot has its own bus service to help customers in the confines of the plot. Nearby is the Greenbelt Park, a hidden gem in the National Park Service. Although the park is officially closed at this time, dry camping is still allowed in a zone for only $ 14.00 per night ( half for older people with the Golden Passport). A dump station is available to the needed. The campsite is within half a mile from the railway station College Park.
Our goal today was to expand the Washington Monument to the aerial view of the city and then visit the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials. To enter the Washington Monument, you will need a ticket, picked up for free at a nearby kiosk. For a ticket that has to be there at 8:00 AM. We at about 11:00 and all were taken.
We went to the Lincoln Memorial Vietnam Wall, a show in motion with flowers, wreaths, and letters provided at the base of the monument. At the southern end are two books with the names of the dead in alphabetical order. The names on the monument is arranged chronologically. Find the name of the individual in the book and you will be directed to the panel on which his name appears. Through a small green are two monuments dedicated to the survivors of war: one of the three soldiers, another of the women who have served.
What can be said about the Lincoln Memorial that has not been done before. These barricades days and restrict fencing movements of tourists. You can not walk completely around the Memorial at the top level. On the ground floor, however, is a museum that chronicles the construction the monument and the events that have taken place on the site, such as the freedom marches, concert Marion Anderson and Martin Luther King Jr. "I have a dream." Once again, the NPS has made a wonderful film about the importance of Abe Lincoln's life through his words and images and the impact on the whole story of our great country. The background music is the Lincoln Portrait by Aaron Copeland.
Down the Lincoln Memorial, facing the Mall of the Vietnam Memorial, is the War Memorial of Korea. Make sure you have a tour of guards to get the most from the experience. The purpose of the commemoration is the participation of all living and dead, in the experience. Originally they were going to be thirty-eight (re: size statues 38th parallel) of soldiers climbing the steep hill to freedom. The number was halved to nineteen.
Approaching from the road, the soldier looks over his shoulder, signaling the troops gathered in the forest leaving behind the clear, full of juniper and rock. Going up the hill to the U.S. flag, the symbol of freedom, is in stone at the end of more than 53,000 men were killed and over 8,000 were MIA. At the top is a mirror of water with a triangular wall goes into it (the Korean peninsula). Not to be overlooked is the wall dark side of the hill. On the wall are carved 2500 photographic images of men and women who were ancillary to the combatants. You can not see the faces far, just close. Drawing near to the wall you can see real faces staring at you, and you are also reflected in the wall along with the nineteen soldiers climbing the hill toward freedom. You become part of the memorial and the memorial becomes part of you. This is an eerily disturbing sensation that lasts throughout the day.
Across the road we walked tidal basin. Thousands of Japanese Cherry Blossoms. In the distance was the Jefferson and Washington, the Memorials. In the way down the memorial to Franklin D. Roosevelt. It consists of four outdoor rooms of the writings, water and statues, each dedicated to a term in office. The monument is a beautiful tribute to a great president who led us out of despair of depression and the horrors of war. The tribute pales in comparison to what had just experienced before.
The Jefferson Memorial in the list is another must see in Washington DC. Dedicated to reason and enlightenment, this makes a fitting end to a day filled emotion.
Some impressions of Washington and Washingtonians. The city seems to Illinois in the summer: the construction everywhere you look, cranes, fences link in the chain, the barricades. Police presence wherever you look: on foot, in cars, on bicycles, motorcycles and horses. Joggers, I mean many corridors, not just a pass by a few, no matter where you are, in the park, on the roads Tidal Basin, on the street. People in large number, either view Places of interest in small or large groups travel, or individually. An organ of people, smells, sights, sounds and fill all the pores of the body.
The early bird, worm, or breakfast with our senators. Every Thursday morning at 8:30, while Congress is in session, Senators Dick Durbin and Peter Fitzgerald will hold a continental breakfast with their constituents in a room in the building Dirkson subcommittee. We were also goes to the Senate and House Representatives galleries. Ask your Senators, if they do the same.
A tour of the capital is only granted by the Senate or House staff. You have to know someone to visit the building. What has come to our country when even you can visit the capital building? Luckily we had passed gallery.
Our first stop was in the Senate. What a wonderful place to see government in action .. We were disappointed by the lack of occupants of the gallery. Less than ten percent of the gallery was full. Those who came were mostly in school groups. Of course not earth shaking are taking the votes, but we've heard Senator CA Barbara Boxer calling for an amendment to add anti-terrorist devices of commercial airlines. This was backed by Sen. Evan Bayh of IN which also spoke. Sen. John McCain of Arizona spoke in the opposite direction. Senator Kennedy entered the office later. Every hour the President Pro Temp of the Senate's changes. Every fifteen minutes, court reporters turn. What is missing is the modern electronics. No hand panels, mobile phones. The teams we saw were one on the desk Secretary and previous television cameras.
From the Senate to the House of Representatives. Whereas senators had tables and individual chairs, members of Congress sit on the benches as seats with partitions between them. They have no desks. If you want to talk, have to go to a table on each side of the aisle and be recognized. A representative was giving a speech about bringing the troops home from Iraq. Finally, he withdrew his amendment, but has its point of view anti-war recorded in the Register Congress.
He went to the Rayburn building, where our representative, Jesse Jackson, Jr. has his office. I still vote in Illinois and continue with local politics. He was out of the office, but his little daughter, Jessica, was the manager and staff had to run around looking for a lost soccer ball. His staff is in the process of setting up a tour of the capital for us.
To complete our day on "The Hill", visited the Supreme Court. They were not any hearing cases in the afternoon. Therefore, they visited the courtroom and receive a conference (tour) of the building. When in session, you must enter online very soon to hear each case. When all seats are taken the rest of the line are allowed to sit on wooden chairs in the back of Boards of three periods of minutes. The plaintiff and defendant lawyers only have an hour and a half to plead their case. Did you know that there is another court over the Chamber of the Supreme Court? This is a basketball court. Both courts can not be in session simultaneously.
We try to see Ford's Theater, where President Lincoln was assassinated. The line was too long for the conference tours. Backpacks are not allowed in the theater. But after 12:00 you can go to a look see in a few minutes.
On the way to the theater we passed the new International Spy Museum. The entry price was a little steep, $ 12.00 per higher. I was expecting to feel disappointed and cheated. To my surprise, I was neither. The museum is high tech and delves into the many aspects of intelligence, every biblical the monitoring devices and modern techniques. The museum is divided into different sections with their hands many of the activities. We spent over two hours there and could spend more time watching all the videos and programs. Yes, Agent Maxwell Smart had his shoe our hotline. There were many replicas of the Cold War including injecting poison umbrella. Did you know that Julia Child was once a spy? Perhaps this is how it all your recipes.
Off to the theater Ford went (one block away). Lincoln was part of "My American Cousin." Today, "1776" was on stage. Unlike 40 years ago, Lincoln box is now out of bounds. A picture hangs from the clerk where Boothe caught his spur, and thus broke his leg. The ground floor of the museum and the house opposite, where Lincoln died is closed for renovation,
On the way to the Department of Interior, we pass the Willard Hotel, a building of extraordinary beauty, where the final negotiations were held to keep the Union together in 1861. We went through the White House. Guess what, in many obstructions to the construction. The closest thing anyone can see in the White House these days is by watching the West Wing. Another beautiful building is the Old Executive Office Building (one of the largest Washington), along with the White House. This is also closed to the public. Interestingly, on the other side of the White House from the Treasury, close enough to the President to keep an eye on the money.
Finally we arrived at the Interior Ministry. The building is over two blocks long. Anne James gave us a wonderful tour of the facility. There is a great museum in the building that represents the history and various aspects of the department. The interior was formed in 1849. The primary foci today are the land management and Indigenous Affairs. On the seventh floor of the old cafe is painted with murals by artists from various Native American tribes. The windows overlook a beautiful view of the city.
All government buildings are closed at this time. Off we went to the Smithsonian. Everything is free. The first museum we wanted to see was the National Museum of Air and Space. Arrive early to avoid long lines. The museum is two stories trace the history of aviation and exploration space. Some of the original aircraft include Spirit of St. Louis Lindbergh, Yeager Bell-1, Mercury, Gemini and Apollo capsules, V-1 rocket, the capsule Steve Fossett's balloon, and many others. The Enola Gay is storage. Later this year the museum addition will open near Dulles International Airport and show much most of his collection.
We had little time to visit one of the museums of the Smithsonian lower. Next door is the Hirshhorn Museum specializes in modern sculpture and paintings. The museum itself is a work of art, circular design with a beautiful center courtyard with a fountain and surrounded on the outside with fine sculptures. They had an exhibition Gerhard Richter, a fugitive from East Germany. His works represent either a severe case of myopia or lack of willingness to say openly what he meant. Many of its paintings are blurred, but photographic in nature. He loved the use of gray color.
Today we planned as a day of rest. I wanted to do a little genealogical research. So I thought today would be a good year to find information about my relatives. The National Archives are in Washington DC and they have a branch in College Park, MD. Arrival in the Archives, NARA, I registered and received a photo ID to do the research. Unfortunately, all the records I was looking for were in the downtown office. The gentleman says that there is a free shuttle bus leaves every hour on the hour between the two facilities. Just thought what he heard. Noon came and I got on the shuttle promised. I thought this would take some time due to horror stories from Washington DC and traffic of blockages everywhere. Taking the main road, we passed Hayettsville, Catholic University with the Basilica, many ethnic neighborhoods. Within thirty-five minutes, we were at NARA, on Pennsylvania Avenue in the heart of downtown Washington. We had hit the mother lode again. Free transportation without the hassle of finding a METRO park at the same time and travel to DC College Park proper.
NARA is the repository of federal records over thirty years of age (72 for the census). The exhibition hall is closed for renovation, is the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution on the screen. My registration card showing I was allowed full access to sections of microfilm and later to the main reading room, where original records are pulled to the researcher by a very friendly staff. A note of caution: make sure allow sufficient time for the registration drive. It takes some time to recover. I took the four shuttle back to College Park.
We NARA transportation hub and went to the National Gallery of Art, just two blocks away. This is an amazing number of beautiful buildings with two main structures: The East Wing and West Wing. Inside are sources of bright flower gardens, and, of course, art. Its collection of impressionists is not as extensive as other museums, but have something special: the only Leonardo Da Vinci in the U.S., de'Benci Ginevra. We spent the day immersed in the beauty provided by the great master artists and sculptors. There are special exhibitions Gainsborough, Kirchner, Vuillard and Matisse. Next week begins an exhibition of paintings by Remington night. We want to return.
In Entries for many of the rooms, there are boxes with information cards in different languages on the specific works in the room. The visitor reads the card and then replaced in safe for others to use. I have not seen that kind of information to other galleries.
We finally got through Andy Wilson, the intern for Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. and had a tour of the Capital. Your staff was happy to see us again. A team led tour opens doors to tourists is not available to the viewer's gallery common. We were able to pass through the hidden stairs and enters the roundabout with a magnificent view of the capital dome. Today the Senate debated the budget to more passed evening. The house was discussing the natural gas drilling. We were on the way back to the Rayburn building, when the House called for a vote. Bells still ringing in the corridors, and representatives to rush to the chambers of the house. It was exciting to see our government in action.
Because it was the lunch, showed us where was the coffee shop at the House complex. If you are ever in the area, I recommend lunch there. The cafeteria is like a playground meals. Prices are reasonable and generous portions.
Our next stop was the Library of Congress, Jefferson building. Self-guided tours are offered, but the teachers are better guided. The paintings and sculptures in the hall are allegorical. Everywhere you look, you see the thought that went into the construction of a major world's libraries. On display are one of the three complete Gutenberg Bibles printed in the world and the last hand written illustrated by the Bible. The main reading room is devoted to different subjects of knowledge. The Library of Congress has its own Web site, www.loc.gov. Here you have access to its card catalog and other data offered by the library.
Today we travel to the Holy Land, also known as the Franciscan Monastery. The facility was built so that people could visit sanctuaries of the Holy Land without having to spend all their money to go to the Middle East. The shrines are replicas of Golgotha, the tomb, the manger of Bethlehem, etc. Also There are replicas of the catacombs. Tour guides give clues about how the sites were authenticated. Despite being a skeptic, I was impressed by his knowledge and the importance of the sanctuary. This is a highly recommended stop for any Christian to visit Washington.
A few blocks away stands the Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. The church dedicated to Mary, the Mother of Jesus Christ began in 1920 and is still under construction. The architecture is a combination of Byzantine and Roman: Fashion Dome after the Capital dome and Campanile Washington after the Memorial. Besides the main nave and the nave crypt top, there are numerous chapels and side chapels sponsored by different groups of people in the world. Each is dedicated to Mary. The predominant way of expressing the art work is through mosaics. The great quantity and quality of the mosaics is among the world's major cities.
At the Museum of Natural History. What we like about the museum was the use of skeletons to classify the different species of animals, from prehistory to the present time. Some areas are under construction: namely, the Hall of Mammals and Native American exhibits. The geological collection of rocks, especially the Hope Diamond, saliva, any woman who loves to wear gemstones. Multiple colors of different types of geological formations are a delight for the eyes.
Museum staff do a lot of things. The comparison of this museum is like comparing apples and oranges with the Museum of Natural History in Chicago. Each has its strengths. In general, would have to rate the Field Museum in Chicago, a higher degree of extension of his collection, with the exception of the department of geology.
Visited the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC. This is a moving experience. I've done extensive research on the black point in world history. I was struck by the absence of bias in the presentations. The self-guided tour takes you to the fourth floor which tells the story of the rise of Hitler and Nazism in visual images and short videos. The lesson learned on this floor is that much of the prejudices, current feed people's fears, and manipulation of the media are still with us until seventy years after the events that led to this tragedy. Turning to the third floor, find the solution to the Jewish Problem: the ghettos, labor camps, the composite of death, etc. Not only Jews were persecuted, but Jehovah's Witnesses, Gypsies, Poles and Russian intelligentsia, and anyone who considered inferior to the Aryan ideal. On display are the piles Shoe of the prisoners, many of his personal belongings and one of the wagons used for transport to the camps. From my reading of the atrocities committed in the camps, many of the exhibits had been underestimated. The second floor exhibits focus on the resistance to Nazism by the Jews and many citizens of occupied countries. Also recorded, on the path in silence, condemning the silence of many allies to deny knowledge of the genocide, which was known to be occurring.
On a lighter note, we visited U.S. Forest Service. How do you say Smokey Bear? Find useful information and resources on our national forests for camping and visiting.
On the road back to the files, we stopped by the Smithsonian Castle, so named because of its architecture. The main floor is open to the public and acts as a reception center with a video explaining the different museums of the institution. The Commons at the west end of the building is used as a banquet hall. It reminds me the nave of a medieval Gothic chapel, without the windows.
The way back took us through a garden of butterflies. Most of the plants were not in bloom, however. There were many signs that describe the various plants and trees and the type of butterflies they attract. It was a beautiful ending to a day cathartic.
The National Zoo has the home of giant pandas. In general, we were disappointed with the treatment of most animals. No zoo is perfect. Each puts its energies and resources on certain species of animals. From our observations, it appears that the National Zoo has a lot to learn from other institutions. Most animals, especially the more advanced animals are separated from each other. We do not talk with anyone and whether there was any mitigating circumstance of our observations. Even the great apes were isolated from each other. We think what would have happened in the Brookfield Zoo a few years ago, when the gorilla stored and cared for the child who fell into his show, if not allowed to socialize and live naturally as a troop.
Took a trip to Walter Reed Army Hospital at present. This is the place where presidents get their annual physical. On the campus of the AFIP (Armed Forces Institute of Pathology) has a museum dedicated medical research and history. They have an extensive collection of microscope, starting from the early 17th century to today's modern electronic microscopes. In now displays the cycle of life inherited from the pre-birth. They use many different forms of photography, from MRIs and X-ray photos normal. Many are surreal.
After spending a couple of hours at the museum, wanted to visit Georgetown and Embassy Row. Driving in DC can be a real challenging. Not only have the intersection of diagonal patterns of the network, you have creative signage, or lack thereof. Maggie was more annoying the maze we were going through. Embassy Row finally found in and around New Hampshire near Dupont Circle. Outside the circle is the M Street is the street Georgetown Heights home. We have a great view of the shops and the crowds in the streets because traffic moves at a turtle's crawl.
Crossing the River Potomac, we wanted to avoid traffic to return to College Park. I knew there was a road that runs along the front of Arlington Cemetery. Eventually this would lead to I-95 and College Park. Cruise down the road a police point out to me and told me to follow him. I did not think I was the one million vehicle travel the road. I also was not sure at high speed: just keep up with the Jones. I learned that they were not allowed on this road duallys since 9 / 11. Other pickup trucks, SUVs, etc. allowed. He took down my vital information and then tried to take a picture for the FBI police. After breaking two chambers that was finally successful. Look for my picture on your nearest post office. Now that you are wanted by the FBI, we'll just flee the country.
On Monday, April 21, 2003 we toured the Smithsonian American History Museum. We spent five hours there and could have spent another five hours. Some of the highlights include first trumpet of Louis Armstrong. The hood crumpled horn reminded me of my trumpet in elementary school. The exhibits to the American presidency and the First Ladies were exceptional. I especially enjoyed the control of traffic through the exhibits. Usually there was a specific entry and exit. This trip easier through them. The first floor is devoted to various industries: agriculture, maritime, railways, information, transportation, and cuisine of Julia Child. The museum has something for almost anyone. Having been at Fort McHenry, we are happy to see The Star Spangled Banner being restored.
The collection Numismatic coins and money is very extensive. What I never realized the variety of coins, both foreign and domestic, in circulation at the beginning of history of our country. Each colony printed and minted its own coins. Currency British, French and Spanish were also considered legal tender. It was worse than European problems with the euro. A common currency was a necessity to have a real country.
I went to the National Building Museum. The building is beautiful atrium rises fifteen floors and is supported by large pillars. In the first and second floor exhibition rooms surrounding the atrium. Some of the exhibits are semi-permanent. You never know what will be displayed. The court was buzzing with people preparing for the biggest art show in the country. The Smithsonian Institute holds an annual contest of the artisans and the winners exhibit their work in this museum. The items on display are also for sale.
A few blocks away is the Postal Museum, part of the Smithsonian. This museum explores the history of the postal service, the fiery trails of New York to Philadelphia, with the appointment of Ben Franklin as postmaster in the mid-1700s by the Crown, for the Pony Express, RFD, and air mail. The building itself is impressive. It is in the old Post Office, with a magnificent main lobby with many cages coating both sides.
Adjacent is Union Station. It is still an impressive building, having undergone extensive restoration and now housing courts are many stores to collect food and items last minute before going home.
Today we visited most of the rest of the Smithsonian Institute: Museum of Art Freer, the Sackler Gallery, the Museum of African Art and the Arts and the building industry. This sounds like a lot of walking, but museums are small in the area. The first two emphasize the Oriental art of China, Japan, India, and Islamic works of different countries. Some of the pieces from the beginning of China and the world Islamic are exquisite. Do not miss the Museum Freer is the Peacock Room of James Whistler. He got carried away with the commission to decorate a living room. He took the occasion of Peacock to the maximum. Even the ceiling is painted peacock feathers. The room is breathtaking and is a perfect receptacle for the collection of Chinese porcelain from the owner.
The Africa Museum has many antique pieces of ancient Nubia, which is south of Egypt in modern Sudan. There are also many pieces that reflect the twentieth century culture of the peoples of West Africa.
Not to be missed is the Arts and Industries Building, host to many Presidential Inaugural Balls. The atrium is large and features a cross. The building houses special exhibits that change regularly.
An exhibition of others was of a tropical butterfly house. Locked in a closed environment (temperature 90 degrees, humidity 85%), hundreds of Central American butterflies traveled at will. I seemed to be a favorite, because they kept landing on my head. Perhaps my fondness for animals has been lost in the wrong species. Or maybe as gray hair. They were very beautiful.
Went to the tower of the Old Post Office: a different building to the Postal Museum. Washington DC has had a number of post offices as the increased capital requirements. This building has an eight-story atrium with an additional three-story bell tower. In the twelfth floor open balcony gives a bird's eye view of the city below. Inside the tower are the Bells Congress. These bells change are still rung by hand by a panel of rings. They practice every Thursday night to perfect their skills. They have the record of ring. A ring is a series of more than five thousand bells ring according to an established pattern that never repeats itself, for the duration of three hours of ringing. The group has a director who runs a finger on the precise patterns. If they lose the rhythm, we should start all over.
About the Author
John Pelley is a Geriatric Gypsy. He is retired from the rat race of working. He is a full-time RVer, who ran away from home. He began our travels on the East Coast and, like the migrating birds, seek the warmth of the seasons He has discovered volunteering with the National Park System. Hae has a CD he has recorded of Native American flute music., A Day with Kokopelli. For pictures, links, and more information visit http://www.jmpelley.org.
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