Round Three... HIKE!!!

Day three here in D.C.  First stop, Library of Congress.  Well the main library hall was interesting but the lack of books kind of made it bummer to explore.  But the roaming displays they currently had were very interesting.  First was early American art.  Samples of art from the natives of North and South America.  Unfortunately we were not allowed to photograph these exhibits.  The next exhibit was the creation of a nation.  Documents and maps used during the founding of the United States were on display.  In the next room was the Jefferson collection.  All of the books from Jefferson's original donation are on display in well controlled glass cases.  Maybe someday the collection will be fully restored.

Next stop for you is the court house... Supreme Court House,  No much to photograph in the supreme court (at least of which you are allowed to photograph.)  We did get to sit in on a talk about how the court works, its history, as well as about the art in the building.

On the way to the National Archives we ended up getting to see the presidential motorcade.  Very interesting to see just how quickly they can clear the streets.  And how badly some people try to defy instructions.  (I may not like our current president very much... but I understand why they clear the road and don't want random people walking out in front of the motorcade.  Making it past the motorcade and to the front of the archives we found the line to be well out the door and pretty much to the street.  This helped change our minds to go to the National Museum of American History first.  (We were under the impression that we could get in the Archives until 9:00PM.)

After entering the American History Museum we quickly got the first giggle of the way.  The metal detector I walked though was not turned on (the rest of them were so who knows how that was missed)  We quickly ended up getting slip apart when I started to read and check out all of the stuff related to atomic energy and robotics.  I then made my way thought most of the other exhibits.  (Missed a few but that place is HUGE... and the more popular areas had really long lines.)

Already in pain from the previous two days of walking, and the long day of walking so far, we decided to walk the Mall.  From the American Museum to the Lincoln Memorial then to the Smithsonian Castle and off to try again at the archives.  (Me feet are about ready for a nap.)  At the Lincoln Memorial I got a chance to take a few photos of his monument and the reflecting pool.  After getting back to the archives we found that we were tricked into thinking they were open until 9:00PM for the public... when in fact they are only open until 7:00 PM for the public and 9:00 PM for researchers.  (Good information to have if you want to try and view some of our nations most important documents.

Well off too unconscious.  Until next time...