museums and stuff

Well ,the outside temperature was hardly conducive for walking, regardless the sunshine.
So an inside day it was, with a morning visit to the National Geographic museum . . the guys that leave you those nice magazines in doctor and dentist waiting rooms :)

Well they have a brilliant presentation on Spinosaurus, the lost giant of the Cretaceous, a good 15 feet longer than T-Rex . . thus now the largest dinosaur yet discovered.

I mean, like, am I impressed, really?

Well, actually I am. But I get a little worried when Mar says she fancies fish for dinner . . .

So I have to remind her that prehistoric fish might mean prehistoric supper for others . . .

And ya better watch out . . . one bird could pick up another.

So, onto more sober subjects, the mystery of flight, as presented by the Smithsonian Institute, who have a stunning museum of their own.

At which point Mar abandoned me for the pleasures of the National Botanical Gardens, and I pressed on with trying to understand flight . . . more successfully achieved by the Wright brothers, whose original aircraft is carefully preserved by the museum :

Other pioneers of aviation are rightfully acknowledged . . . .

along with the overwhelming might displayed by the US Navy, and their first nuclear powered aircraft carrier, the USS Enterprise and of course, the air power that goes with it.

The warriors of World War 2 are remembered, through the machines they fought in :

The Japanese Zero

The British Spitfire

the German ME 109

and the air warriors of the Great War

But it was the pioneers of flight in the 1920s and 30s who struck me as the real heroes, unsung perhaps, but who paved the way for air travel as we know it today.

Then, reunited after a visit to the Bot Gdns, two other pioneers, who took their first ever selfie!

So ended a long day, and back to our B&B, by way of Washington Metro, surely one of the most sombre means of public transport ever experienced . . .

But, a super fine dining experience to finish off the day at Le Diplomate . . . . recommended should you ever visit!

http://lediplomatedc.com/

True tourists

Cold and damp, but no snow, and that suits us just fine!
Today we became real tourists . . .

A great way to see a city and get the feel of it if you're limited to time. Although to be honest, not too crowded. It just wasn't the weather for an open top ride.

But the view was great, just so long as you didn't stand up while the bus was moving . . great danger of being bonked on the bean by low hanging branches, especially in the Georgetown district.

Great architecture, beautiful houses, tons of history, and $$$$$$ by the cartload.

The Kennedy family home, where JFK and his brothers grew up when their father was a Senator.

Georgetown is the home of many foreign Embassies . . .

. .exclusive shops, and little pockets of forgotten history . . .

Then the sights that most are familiar with -

The Watergate complex . . .

The Lincoln Memorial . . .

The Washington Memorial . . .

. . . turn around, and there's the White House - great backdrop for the nightly TV news.

Washington truly is a city of buildings and monuments, as I guess most capitols are.

Magnificent hotels too, like the Willard Hotel, which I think Mar possibly regretted we hadn't booked . . .

Pennsylvania Avenue, leading from the White House to Capitol Hill, lined with history . . .

The Old Post Office building, soon to be an upmarket hotel, developed by the guy with the funny hair style . . .

The Brady Building, home of the studios of Civil War photographer Mathew Brady . . .

and the Capitol itself, currently undergoing a bit of a reno.

Still in all, impressive. No less the neighbourhood we're staying in, close by Dupont Circle. Across the road from us, the Scottish Freemasons Temple, and what can only be described as a typical, totally elegantly designed art deco apartment building . . .

. . . and our modest home away from home, where we're staying in tonight, coz it's too darned cold and windy to venture out looking for a restaurant for dinner . . .and we did have a late lunch!

Long day today.
Up with the lark . . . not that there were any, they've all flown south . . . . and back on the road.
Minus 5C and still lots of snow around . . .

But - blue sky, and that's enough to raise anyone's spirits, given all the grey days we've had this month.

Loads of ice, and snow still on the ground, but the further south we drive, the less there is, and gradually the outside temperature creeps up.

As did the traffic, backed up for over an hour due to a major accident. You don't realize just how much freight moves by truck and trailer until they grind to a halt like this, nose to tail.

But look, hardly any snow, and we're jusr north of the Maryland state line. Stopped long enough to take a long abandoned home at the side of the highway.

Finally we've arrived. Another 500k day, our home away from home in Washington for the next few days, and time to unpack :)

We're off . . . .

Got away this morning around 10.15am. A bit later than anticipated, but had to make sammies for the trip, a final tidy up in the house, and pack two sets of baggage in the boot. one for cold weather, the other for hot!

Head for Gan, and the 1000 Island bridge to the US of A. The bridge has to be at least 100 years old . . .

Still, have to pay the toll. Now $3 Canadian, up a quarter since our dollar sank against the US buck . .

The border, always a little increase on the anxiety scale. You just never know that US department of Homeland Security might dream up next for innocent visitors . . . .

Minimal questions, a look in the boot, the 'have a good one', and off we go, another bridge, and into upstate NY for the rather boring trip down to Wilkes Barre PA for the night.

A short break in an off highway MacDonalds parking lot to consume our sammies (picnic tables temporarily out of use) . . .

. . .then back on the road.

Past farms, and small communities tucked away in the snow and mist . . .

State Police lurking, waiting for unwary speeding traveler . . .

. . . or trucker who doesn't quite fulfill road regulations . . .

. . .make sure we're taking the right direction . . .

. . .into Pennsylvania, with a cluster of trucks to contend with (why do they do that?) . . .

. . .a brief patch of blue sky and sun to welcome us . . .

and 470km. done for the day, we reach out overnight destination for a good night sleep.

Sun, sea and sand!

Hmmm . .
been a little while since returning to take up where we left off.
But this is enough to drive anyone to drink, or perhaps head south.

Hopefully no more of this for awhile!

Which is what we're about to do, leaving early tomorrow for Washington DC.
Haven't really spent much time there before, so weather willing, and clear roads, we should be there this Thursday.