Unfortunately there was some sort of God-forsaken accident or construction or both on 95 North on the way up there, so it took us about five hours to get up there instead of two. Ouchety ouch. So close, yet so very far. Thank God for the kindness of strangers when we stopped all forlorn along the way (long with others equally if not more forlorn) at the Mickey D’s in Fredericksburg. It’s amazing how one helpful person can really change your day. Just being able to commiserate with others over senseless traffic snarls makes it all seem a bit better. It’s a good reminder that we are all on this journey together in some way, shape or form, so we may as well make the best of it. You never know when someone needs an extra dose of kindness. Really though, when can anyone not?
Once we finally got there, left the car at the hotel, took the Metro, and made it down to the Mall, we came to a blinding realization. Apparently every other family on spring break also had the same banner idea to check out the Smithsonian. Hmmmnnn… It didn’t help any that the cherry blossoms were predicted to be out in full bloom this week. (They weren’t actually out because of the cold weather, but we were lucky to see a few in full bloom on the Mall. Apparently they are in a much more protected location than those out in the open at the Jefferson Memorial.)
First stop — the National Air and Space Museum. There are many, many good reasons why it is the most popular of all the Smithsonian museums. It’s so hard to wrap your mind around the fact that you are seeing the ORIGINAL Wright Flyer I, no reproduction. Then there’s the REAL Apollo 11 command module, original space uniforms from all sorts of space expeditions, Charles Lindberg’s Spirit of St. Louis, galleries on World Wars I and II, three-story gift shop, fantastic historical movies interspersed, IMAX, and so on and so on. Not to be outdone, there’s an overpriced McDonald’s large enough to be an airport hangar in itself. And there are teems and teems of people everywhere you look and try to move. They are all shapes, sizes, ages and ethnicity. Oh, the humanity! It was a lesson in patience that I sorely needed and need more of for sure.
We decided to check out the American Indian Museum next door which was amazing. It became infinitely more amazing when we realized how uncrowded it was. (We didn’t have to practice being patient anymore — yahoo!) I’d love to go back when it is not about to close and try their authentic food in their cafe. The gift shop was sublime with quality items made by Native Americans. There was nothing plastic in sight which was a sight to behold.
Then we had the cultural experience of taking the Metro during rush hour all the way to the end of the line. Sam sure saw a slice of life he had never seen before. Plus he got to try what I like to call Metro Surfing — trying to stay standing up without holding onto anything while the train is moving. It was quality entertainment, its own kind of simulator. Whew! I sure don’t miss taking that every day…. Whoops! Apparently other people call it Metro Surfing as well. Here from the Urban Dictionary:
A term used to describe the sport of standing, with feet planted, on the D.C. Metro while it is moving, trying to avoid falling.
Rules:
1) No touching the chairs, bars, or anything else
2) No using other people as support
3) You feet must remain planted
4) One round last from stop to stop
Any breaking of the rules results in an out. If you are out, you can’t participate in the game again until the next stop
Anywho, the next day we went to the Museum of Natural History to see dinosaurs, mummies, the Hope Diamond, and bones galore.
Then we went next door to American History and saw the mammoth Star Spangled Banner, the infamous Greensboro Lunch Counter, Dorothy’s red slippers, the Wicked Witch of West, Archie Bunker’s chair, Kermit, and the enormous Doll Family Doll House. (I’m sure to be forgetting some major attractions!)
After hitting lots of traffic driving home at 2 PM, we were supremely overjoyed to be out of the car. We had a great time, but it sure makes me appreciate little ole Richmond where it is so incredibly easy to get around town. I’m pretty convinced that Richmond “rush hour” is way better than being on 95 anytime.
LibbY
