Smithsonian Air and Space

A few photos from the (very crowded) Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. 

Starting from the begining...

The original Wright Flyer.

The Red Baron

 

 

The Spirit of St Louis, left, with the recent Space Ship One plane in the middle.

 

The Apollo capsule.

 

The Apollo lunar module.

 

 

A V-2 rocket, left, with the Spacelab station.

 

And some UAV's.

 

 

U.S. Botanical Gardens

I made a tour today through the Botanical Garden Conservatory.  I must say, I was very impressed with the exhibits.  It made for a nice, warm respite from the cold and blustery day outside.

The rare forest deer.  Note the fantastic camouflage!

 

They had a great Orchid exhibit.

 

 

 

 

 

The American History Museum

Here are a few photos from the American History Museum, also part of the Smithsonian.  They have lots of Americana on display, an exhibit of First Lady ball gowns, a nice war exhibit, not to mention Julia Childs kitchen.

One of the first steam engines to run in America.

Craig and Bull going hunting?

I noticed the inspection sticker on the window is from West Virginia.  Maybe Dad's old car?

Julia Childs kitchen.

The infamous sculpture of George Washing getting out of the bath.

A little Americana.  Carol Burnette's "Gone with the Wind" gown.

Click your heels together!

 

The entrance to the Star Spangled Banner exhibit, with the original flag that Francis Scott Key saw through the dawn's early light.

Abe Lincoln's hat.

 

Two steel girders from the World Trade Center.

The Freer Gallery

Well I survived the great blizzard of 2009 here in DC.  Since my commute is a couple block hike, it wasn't too inconvenient for me.  We got about 16" here, and the town ground to a halt. 

I took this picture today out on the mall.  Everything looks nice with a coating of snow!

I toured the Freer Gallery today, it is part of the Smithsonian Institution and houses a collection of mostly Asian art.  Pretty interesting exhibits.  Here are a few highlights.

Chinese screens.

 

Ritual mask.

 

The four guardian figures, West, North East and South

 

Egyptian falcon statues.

 

A tomb guardian, if I remember correctly.

 

Smithsonian Museum of Natural History

It took two days but I made my way around most of the Smithsonian Natural History Museum.  Even at that I am sure I missed some parts.  It's bigger then it looks.  Quite a few really interesting exhibits, and certainly a must see if you are in DC.  It was hard to get decent pictures, but here are a few.

Ocean Hall

Mastodon

 

Extinct giant deer

 

Wolly mammoth

 

 

The Hall of Bones was really interesting

 

 

They have a great forensic anthropology exhibit with several skeletons from the original settlers in Virginia

 

Ancient Roman mural

 

Great gem and mineral exhibit too.  Here's the Hope diamond

 

 

 

 

Marie Antoinette's earrings

 

The U.S. Capital

I scheduled a tour of the US Capital and spent a little time walking around.  It was really cold and windy, so I spent less time outside than in!  Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the area.

The east facade of the Capital, where you enter the visitors center.

The west side, with the Capital Christmas tree in front.

 

Inside the newly completed visitors center.

 

A replica of the statue on top of the dome.

 

Inside of the rotunda dome.

 

 

From the Hall of Statues, the old House chamber.