Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum

We hadn’t been to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum since the first half of the massive renovation was recently completed. Now the other half is underway. We used to walk by this place on our morning walks when we lived on Capitol Hill. So we decided to get timed entry passes and headed in to town. The first major section was all about Orville and Wilbur and the original flying machine. There was a large group of students who were obviously assigned a project to complete. We tried to stay ahead of them to avoid a crowd. Then it advanced to flying cars and current flight options. Outside in the main atrium were all sorts of planes hanging overhead with exhibits along the walls - mail carriers and flight attendant and pilot uniforms over the years. How these huge items are suspended from the ceiling is amazing. There were cockpits to view and interiors of planes to walk through. Another section was about the solar system and worldwide communications and satellites. Then there were the fast cars and bicycles featuring Richard Petty and Glenn Curtiss, along with a Chevrolet corvette. There were a few Star Trek items - including Mr Spock’s ears. The Apollo section deserves its own blog. What was missing were the Spirit of St Louis and a lot of the massive space vehicles that must be in storage for en next grand opening. We didn’t see everything but it’s nice to know it’s not far away if we ever feel like visiting again. 

The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum

We haven't been inside for many years, but we walk by it all the time. The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum is always busy. This time of year long lines are not uncommon. After all, some special stuff is housed inside, including the Wright Brothers plane and moon rocks. On our Monday morning walk we pass by the US Botanical Garden, the American Indian Museum, and then the Air and Space Museum. My husband is not interested in the moon and the stars, but I remember using our backyard telescope to see the constellations and check out that face on the moon in the night sky. I even did a science project on Venus using photographs of the cloudy planet and claiming I had been a visitor. We were actually inside the building back in the eighties during a very hot summer vacation. We have also been to the space shuttle and air museum out by Dulles Airport in Virginia. We could see the enthusiasm on the faces of all the visitors anticipating the walk through a fun and historic place. I'm certain it will inspire someone to think about a career in air or space. It didn't have that affect on me, but it was indeed worth the trip.