Smithsonian Natural History Museum

I was never a huge lover of natural history. Dinosaurs never did much for me - except maybe the Flinstones cartoons. The Smithsonian natural history museum is probably one of the more popular places to visit in DC. So last week we decided to take a trip in to town and check it out. The museum recently reopened to seven days a week from a modified pandemic schedule. The place was quite busy, but not packed. We didn’t have to wait in line to get in. In the main lobby is the huge elephant. Then we went over to the stuffed animal exhibit - from giraffes to hippos and everything in between. Then over to the whales and such and through to the dinosaurs. In between we stopped at the fossilab where staff were either sketching/painting what they saw under the microscope or examining fossils. Then there were all the skeletons and bugs. Of course there was a mummy section. One of the last stops was the hope diamond. There are two floors of exhibits and so much to see. I don’t think we saw half of it. It’s nice that all we need to do is drive to the mall and visit any time we want. We do miss living on Capitol hill, but are happy that we can still enjoy what it has to offer. 

Natural History Museum

When the crowds are gone, we visit the museums on our morning walk. There are still large tour groups and school buses filled with students, but as long as there are no lines waiting to get inside, we take the opportunity to check on the updates and changes. So today we thought we'd see the natural history museum. The big dinasaur is gone - I think he is being restored. I can't imagine we missed his presence if he was lurking about. I wanted to see the butterflies, but you have to pay to get in - and we didn't want to spend a lot of time inside anyway. So we ran through the exhibits - the evolution of man, mammals, ocean, volcanos, space, gems and the hope diamond. We only searched level one and two and did not go to the basement. The third floor is for employees and offices. Perhaps because it was a very drizzly day the skylights couldn't work their magic. It seemed rather dark inside. In the end, this place 
was never one of my favorite museums, but it was worth going inside. After all, it's free, it's a great walk, and we can go any time we want. 

What I Notice on the Mall and Capitol Hill

Yesterday we took a ride down M Street SE. Today, before the snow flies, we decided to take a typical walk to the Mall from our house. The landscape changes with the seasons. The sun was trying to come out, and it was close to 50. But there is usually not a lot of activity before noon. We always pass by the duck pond at the American Indian Museum and stop at the Smithsonian Castle gardens. The Washington Monument is a typical landmark in just about any photo, but looked really pretty behind the African American Museum of Art. A unique fur tree stands in front of the castle, and the massive mall improvement project is well underway. The familiar sound of any merry go round was heard loud and clear - but there were no takers. The large orange steel beam, also known as art, reminds me of the same structure in downtown Milwaukee on the lakefront. There are a lot of empty benches along the path on the way back towards the Capitol. At the US Botanical Garden the little babbling brook is well hidden; the gargoyles stare down at us from atop the Palladian windows, and the collard greens are ready to be picked! The Bartholdi Fountain spot is a great place to sit and put your feet up for awhile. As we approach our house, the barriers to the Capitol become more obvious and directions to the freeway near the House Office Buildings garage exits pop out against the notable red brick rowhouse backdrop. What one doesn't usually see is the train track that runs behind that notable rowhouse, and the sidewalks that can attack you if you don't keep your eyes on the ground. It's a lot different from Milwaukee and a lot warmer too. Can we skip the snow please?

Smithsonian Urban Bird Habitat and More on a Monday Morning Walk

I am not a morning person. But since I started working a part time three days a week schedule in March, I have forced myself to get up early on Monday to walk with my husband on the Mall. It is dreadful getting up, but I know it is a good habit. Along the way there is usually something of note. The Canna flowers are in full bloom in front of the Capitol. We used to grow them in our Wisconsin garden. The huge sunflowers stand erect in front of the US Botanical Garden. What looks to be a bus disguised as a steamboat sits by the Air and Space Museum. The newly renovated Arts and Industries building spires are striking against the morning sky. Mr. Smithson overlooks the mall as the early morning residents - including us - pass by. In front of the Museum of Natural History are two huge chunks of 200 million year old petrified wood. Between this and the Sculpture Garden is the Urban Bird Habitat. Supposedly there are 300 species of birds that live, stop by, or pass through DC. The most frequent bird we see is the lowly pigeon. The Art Museum facade is finally complete with trees growing on the roof. The US Senate Sergeant at Arms has his own private parking spot right in front of the Capitol.   Before pressing on to Pete's diner for breakfast we stop at the Library of Congress across from the Supreme Court to cool off and catch our breath for fifteen minutes. On our way back home are the black eyed Susan's or daisies draped around the metal fence peculiar to the neighborhood. Only after a shower does it feel like a huge accomplishment. And it isn't even noon yet.