Smithsonian, Part 2

So I was given the opportunity to do something for work in D.C. and leaped at it, knowing we could bring the family along and they could tour while I worked for the first two days, and we could tour together on the third. The whole trip was made much, much more doable by Aunt Amy, who joined us, staying at a B&B nearby and wandering the city with us.

They started with the Museum of Natural History and couldn't get enough of it. That was all they did the first two days, besides a walk-by of the White House and wandering the Mall a little. Sam was enthralled by the gems and minerals collections, including the Hope Diamond, and also really enjoyed the various hands-on exhibits, and the insect exhibit. Susan found places in the museum for Josh to get out of the stroller and crawl/cruise around, which many of the other visitors seemed to enjoy seeing. On Wednesday (day 3) we all went together to the Air & Space Museum and then, mid afternoon, switched to the Natural History Museum again so Sam could show me some of the things he enjoyed the most.

Amazingly, the cherry blossoms were at peak bloom during our visit, which very rarely happens this early in D.C. And the weather has been in the 70s--just gorgeous. I think it has been nice just about everywhere in the U.S. When I planned this trip I expected we'd be escaping Rochester for some good D.C. 60s spring weather. But even in Rochester the weather was amazing. What good timing!

Below are some photos, all from Wednesday. Most of the best photos are on Aunt Amy's camera and will be posted soon.

Amy's B&B room

Joshie enjoying the hotel room window. We were at the historic (really!) Mayflower Renaissance  Hotel just a few blocks from the White House

Behind us is the Smithsonian "Castle". A nice fellow offered to take our photo. The natives were uniformly kind  and helpful

At the sculpture garden on the Mall

The metro was a lot of fun

In front of the Museum of Natural History

 Look at the big rotunda!

In the Insect Zoo, Sam actually was willing to hold a slow-moving female grasshopper of enormous size. From Florida, I believe

Sam with the jaws of a Megaladon, the ancient  forebear of the great white shark

In the Insect Zoo was a replica of a termite mound, complete with a tunnel for kids to crawl through. Josh was enchanted and loved the glowing image of termites on the wall. 

Sam passed out after a wonderful but exhausting day.

Josh, ditto!

If you didn't see it, watch the movie on the previous post.