|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
Anthea (a fellow Brit) and I travelled on the metro to the Smithsonian - just the air and aerospace part. As we entered the building, there was a moon command module, blunt end on, facing us. I looked carefully through the plexi-glass/plastic protective covering to see the marked scarring and pitting to the base. Going around clockwise, the hatch was open, with two dummies inside wearing space-suits. We both commented on all the hundreds of little identical levers and the smallness of the space for three persons. It was only after this that we found the label, proclaiming it to be the Apollo 11 module. I have difficulty in putting into words what I felt at this point. Pride, joy and a whole swathe of other things mixed up together. I'm sorry I can't share a picture with you - the plastic surface was far too reflective. Also in the main hallway (amongst others) were the Viking lander and the Breitling orbiter capsule, with the Spirit of St Louis suspended above. Anthea and I say most of this museum and enjoyed a show at the IMAX cinema inside. Afterwards we went out into The Mall and took some pictures of the Capitol building and then went back to the hotel.
Aftr relocating to a city-centre hotel early in the morning, a D.C. local lady called Beth who I'd e-mailed picked Jette and I up in her car and drove us up to the Appalachian trail near Harper's Ferry. I'd read about the trail in Bill Bryson's excellent (and riotously funny) book 'A Walk in the Woods'. Afterwards, we went into the small town itself and learned all about the real John Brown (the one whose body we sing about!). I was thrilled to see the Shenandoah river - I learnt the famous song about it over 20 years ago and it had always haunted me. In the evening I went out with two American friends who had found themselves dinner in the local Hollywood Planet.
Due to Beth doing some kind preparation in advance we were able to have a trip around the White House fairly early this morning. No inside pictures, I'm afraid - we weren't allowed to take them; but you'll find one below of the entrance just after we'd emerged. In the afternoon, we went on the metro up to the Arlington Cemetery, which is huge. We made for the Iwo Jima memorial first, which is truly monumental. Up past the place where JFK and Jackie lie at rest, to the amphitheatre set up behind the tomb of the unknown soldier. We watched the intricately drilled changing of the guard, then lastly saw the beautiful memorial to the ill-fated Challenger crew. A substantial (and extremely reasonable) meal at the nearby Wendy's ended our day.
Lisa and I went around the F.B.I. building this morning. We had a guided tour, learned a little of what they do, saw some of the pathology labs (but no Scully!) and got an insight into how difficult their job must be. We walked over to the small (but lovely) gardens near the Capitol and sat in the sunshine for some time, just watching the bees and butterflies. Lisa had to leave mid-morning. I mooched around, looking for beef jerky. I bought lunch, then caught my shuttle bus back to the airport and home. The Melatonin tablets I'd had recommended to me worked - either that or I don't suffer from jet-lag! I left America definitely wanting to come back.
|
The Viking lander 
|
The original 'Spirit of St Louis' - the first plane to cross the Atlantic  |
"And it's one small step for a man......"
Such a fragile craft.
|
You see, the aliens from Independance Day didn't win!
|
No, Bill wasn't in - but we had a good trip anyway!
 |
Out on the Appalachian trail. We hiked maybe 15 to
20minutes' worth for this beautiful view.
 |
Just to prove I did it myself!
 |
Harper's Ferry - where the Potomac meets the
Shenandoah and John Brown made his stand.
 |
The Shenandoah
 |
The main street of Harper's Ferry
|
The entrance to Chinatown, D.C.
 |
Arlington Cemetery
 |
|
A blue jay shows off its beautiful plumage  |
The Iwo Jima memorial
 |
The tomb of John F. Kennedy
 |
Probably JFK's most famous words
|
The Amphitheatre in Arlington
 |
The tomb of the unknown soldier. The words read
'Here lies an American soldier. Known but to God'.
 |
The memorial for the astronauts tragically killed in
the Challenger disaster. Per ardua ad astra. May they rest in peace and
rise in glory.
 |
The down-town Harrington hotel, on 11th and E, where
we stayed for 2 nights. Not far from the FBI!
 |
I never knew he was born in Washington D.C......
 |
A beautiful fountain near the Capitol building.
Looks French-inspired.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
