15-7-12

Hi Folks!

Yesterday was hot and humid and boy did we know it. We walked the length of the Mall and more. We did give up and get a taxi from the Lincoln Memorial - but more later.

After a great breakfast with the egg situation being explained - eggs over easy being how to describe a runny fried egg - we set off. The location of the Inn means that it takes about 10 minutes to walk to the Mall. From there we turn left toward the Washington Monument and then head off toward the Air & Space Museum.

By the time we arrive at the museum we are very grateful for the water sellers. My grey Yankee t-Shirt was a very much darker shade than it was originally intended. The Air & space Museum was even more fantastic than I remember it nearly 20 years ago. The space capsual are now entirely wrapped in perspex but the size of them - or rather just how small they are is still striking.

They now have mock-ups of the Hubble and a walk-in Skylab - and more planes than I remeber including the front end of a 747. The space suit collection looks to have expanded including suits that went to the moon - with dust still on the knees. Oh and I forgot a piece of moon rock you could touch.

We spent a good couple of hours going around the museum before setting off for the Capitol. Beautiful building but shut. We are going there today. We set off for lunch to Capitol Lodge (burnt down twice since I was last there).

We then walked all the way to the Lincoln Memorial. Stunning - then the Vietnam wall. Still thought provoking and emotional even though it is now the standard way of presenting loss of life - its difficult to remember just how controversial it was when it was first unveiled.

The WWII memorial built by George W. looks rather more Nuremberg than I think was the intention but is non-the-less impressive.

We collapsed into a cafe for drinks and an ice cream. then the taxi back to the Inn. Phew...

That evening Philip found the perfect restaurant, the Daily Grill, an ocean liner style room with lovely food. Very relaxing. Then bed what another busy day.

Speak again tomorrow.