We opted to hold off for a day of bike riding until tomorrow. Instead, we took the Metro back to Union Station after getting SmartTrip cards. Union Station and the complex around it is amazing and things don't seem as crowded on this bright windy Sunday.
<NOTE:We're having some difficulties posting photos now and will add them when solved>
Really long metro Escalators
We connected with the Bike and Roll rental shop for details on our planned biking, Amtrak for baggage questions, located a city map and fit in some very good coffee and breakfast goodies. No need to rough it here. We then stepped out into the sunlight and walked across the huge open grounds that are part of the Mall. It seemed we had the senate offices, capital with dome under restoration, reflecting pool, and other nearby facilities to ourselves. The Washington Monument in the distance made me think of Martin Luther King and the crowds that gathered to hear him.
Our likely bike rental shop
Laurie trying to find potable water
Washington Monument and Capital Mall
Beautiful planting do at the US Botanical Garden
Peaceful settings
The U.S. Botanical Garden was an excellent stop with SE vegetation, sustainable values and lots of good interpretive information. More Followup is needed as we passed much of the facility. The National Museum of the American Indian was large, open and very impressive. I had an episode while we were exploring it and had to sit things out for a while. Relaxing seems to get rid of the symptoms quickly. The video on "The Indian Problem" and other multi-media displays were powerful reminders of the past. I wish all students were able to go through this museum. A current exhibit on Central American Indians was excellent too. Much more time is needed here and I expect we will return on this trip. Laurie was happy with her gift shopping and we had a great lunch of native foods.
Unusual design inside National Museum of the American Indian
A view below
National Museum of the American Indian
The Hirshholm Art museum is located in a large round building on stilts with an outside gallery. It lookede great but we had to save it for later and press on. Likewise the Smithsonian Castle which I had never heard of. We headed for the Smithsonian Natural History Museum and spent a lot of time enjoying the oceans exhibit. More time is needed here too. We were only able to skim the Origins of Man exhibit and plan to return this trip. There are other exhibits to see even though s big part of the fossil exhibits are under renovation.
This silver tree must frustrate all the squirrels
Great ocean information in the Natural History Museum
Big greeters too
We headed back, caught a different Metro and walked until we located a small popular Ethiopian Resturant. The food was excellent and we left full and happy as we walked the 1.6 miles back home via a new route thanks to google maps. We arrive home in a tired and happy state again. We'll need the rest for the next day coming too...
Buses with good biking guidance
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