First stop after getting off at the Federal Triangle Metro was the American History Museum. The Federal Triangle is a series of large Government Agency buildings. If you look at the buildings on a map the streets surrounding them form a large triangle. The Metro station is right in the middle. To your left as you come out of the station is a corridor leading to Constitution Avenue and the Mall. On your right is Aria, a neat looking restaurant. We wandered out to Constitution Ave and crossed the street. As we were walking up to the American History Museum we were accosted (first time that has ever actually happened to me) by a homeless person. I was out of small bills and apologized for not having anything to give him. The gentleman insulted me in front of Joey and I took him to task for it. He then apologized to us and we parted rather amicably.
As with all Smithsonian Museums, we had to open our bags for inspection. It was easy enough. The American History museum doesn't get as much traffic as the Natural History or Air and Space Museum. The museum has a very good feeling about it, everything flows very well. The first thing to greet us was a display of Volunteer Fire Company hats and bugles. Pretty good first impression for this fireman. All of the exhibits where great. The exhibits regarding slavery where rather difficult for me because Joey had to ask a question about a picture of a slaves back. The man in question had scars all over from being whipped. It is very hard to explain to your child about this part of history in front of a crowd. I have never thought slavery to be acceptable in any form, any place or at any time. I'm pretty sure I got that point across. I don't want to toot my own horn but a few people in there were a bit misty eyed after Joey's questions and my answers. That's really all I have to say about that part. The displays on the American Revolution were superb as was the exhibit on American fighting men. We only saw about half the exhibits. Joey was getting a little ansy and it was time to move on to Ford's Theater.
The handsome young US Army officer slightly above is Lt. Audie L. Murphy, the most decorated soldier of World War Two. Lt. Murphy was a true American hero. The last picture is the citation explaining why The Medal of Honor was awarded to Spec. 4 Alfred Rascon. If you can read it please do so. If not look up the man and read what he did. Also read about what the other recipients did that earned them this award.
After the American History Museum we wound our way down Pennsylvania Ave toward 10th Street and Ford's Theater. Ford's Theater is the location of President Lincoln's assassination by John Wilkes Booth. Across the street is the house in which President Lincoln gave his final breath. The line was down the block so this trip we only got to see the outside. Next trip we are going in.
From Ford's Theater we walked to The International Spy Museum. It was very cool. The price is pretty hefty though. $19.95 for adults and $14.95 for children. Discounts are available to Military and Law Enforcement. Firefighters and EMTs/Paramedics, we're out of luck no discount for us. Sorry guys, I tried. Sadly there is no photography allowed in the museum. So we have no evidence of our visit. Although my cover name was Dmitri Ivanov, a 48 year old fisherman from Kirov, Russia visiting family in Boston for five days. Joey was Asad Sharma, a 26 year old software designer from India visiting Paris for 14 days on company business.
Joey had his sunglasses and black fedora on before we went in which was amusing to many people in the DC area. He received many compliments on his hat. Definitely go if you have older children or you've always wanted to see some really cool spy stuff. That's all we are authorized to say about it.
From the International Spy Museum, Joey and I walked a few blocks to the US Navy Memorial. A Choir was singing at the memorial they were very good. The music didn't seem to fit with a navy memorial but the sing was nice anyway.
We walked back to the Metro Station and rode to L'Enfant Plaza, walked around a bit. Joey had a huge cookie while we walked from L'Enfant Plaza toward the Smithsonian Metro/Independence Avenue entrance. The walk was neat. We saw many people getting off work and racing towards various metro stations, bus stops and parking garages. People in DC like to drive fast and honk their horns for any reason. It was rather fun sauntering lazily through an intersection. Apparently a honking horn is supposed to make me cross the street faster. Pedestrians have the right of way children, especially in a cross walk. After what seemed like a very long journey on the metro we arrived at our hotel in time to pack out things and watch an Ethiopian Orthodox Church service across the street from the hotel. There must have been almost one thousand people at this service. It took over an hour for all their vehicles to file down Bragg street.
This was our final day in Washington, D.C. it is bittersweet. We had so much fun and saw so much but we barely scratched the surface of what is here. I know that Joey and I will be back. There was too much left undone and unseen. Tomorrow we travel on to another important location in our History, Gettysburg, PA. A small crossroads town that would have been forgotten to history had two massive armies not clashed there the first three days in July of 1863. That fight held the fate of The Union in it's hand.
Good night all. -Mike and Joey
