Day 30 – Washington, D.C.

We’re at our half-way mark of the trip!

Our first stop today is Ford Theater. We’re a little late to their first tour of the day, but they let us in anyway. The ranger’s presentation is excellent and keeps our attention; an added bonus is that, for the duration, we get to sit in the air-conditioned theater. The only disappointment is that the newly remodeled visitors’ center’s opening is delayed. Across the street at the Peterson house where Lincoln actually died, I observe right away that the bloody sheets (from my childhood visit) have been removed, and the ranger concurs that they’re trying to preserve them. As we’re leaving, we notice the area is teaming with tour buses and tourists!

We pass the Warner Theatre who has changed their marquee to say, “In memory of Michael Jackson, King of Pop”. How sad that our trip to DC has been timed with his death as well as Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon.

Next we’re off to the American History Museum, and are luckily just in time for their highlight’s tour – it’s so much easier to benefit from the museums when the information is summarized to us instead of having to read everything (again, behind layers of people). The huge, original star spangled banner is a sight to be seen! The kids like the hands-on Spark Lab and the war area, and I like the first-ladies exhibit.

We take a break for lunch on the National Mall, which is currently holding a folk-life festival. Then we head into the Natural History Museum. There’s so much to look at, and we don’t spend long (mainly because we’re going to the one in NYC), but we do take time to see the Hope Diamond.

Before leaving for the day, we stop at the White House Center, which doesn't hold our interest. So we walk to the “front” of the White House where you can get very close and see lights on through the windows! It’s fun to watch the guards on the roof study the crowd and the gay riots demonstration.