Old A Travel Adventure In Washington
by Virginia L. Hughes
I started by visiting the Smithsonian. I could have spent a week just going through the different areas from American Art, Air and Space exhibits, etc. Because my time was so very limited, I chose to go through specific sections only. One of the areas that I really enjoyed was the Museum of Natural History. They had dinosaur bones! I’ve always been fascinated by dinosaurs and they have a very nice exhibit there. Just a note of interest, I had recently read an article about a Tyannosaurus Rex that was found in Montana in which a scientist by the name of Schweitzer found blood cells in the bone fragments while working in her lab. It would be a scary thought that science might be able to find a way to clone a dinosaur. Anyway, the Smithsonian is a very worthwhile place to visit. Plan to have lots to time if you want to see it all. AND, entrance is free. The next stop was the Washington National Zoo. I took so many pictures of the baby panda, Tai Shan. Tai Shan, born July 9, 2005, is the zoo’s first surviving panda cub and only fourth nation wide. I watched all three, mom, Mei Xiang dad, Tian Tian and baby, Tai Shan, for about an hour. Tai Shan seemed to enjoy his playground and rock climbing adventures. I was surprised to learn that Pandas are vegetarians, eating bamboo which is a type of grass. Adults weigh between 185 and 245 pounds. A pretty good size for something that eats bamboo. AND, entrance is free. The Arlington Cemetery has the Iwa Jima War Memorial. Everyone should see this one. There are six flag raisers, four in the front line and two in the back. Front four are Ira Hayes, Franklin Sousley, John Bradley and Harlon Block. Two in back are Michael Strank and Rene Gagnon. This memorial left me with such a strong impression that I left with tears in my eyes. It just has that effect. Then I traveled on to see the downtown D.C. mall area, Vietnam Wall is in Constitution Gardens. I have seen the replicas of the wall before, but there was such a difference in the way that I felt as I walked along and read the names, flags and viewed the pictures that were left along the ground beside the memorial. Because I had family and friends that served in Vietnam, this one really brought back memories and old feelings. I could see the scenes of war protests in my mind. The Washington, and Lincoln Memorials were close by and they were sights that you would not want to miss. I even got a view of the White House. Oh, did I mention, entrance to all of the memorials is free. I can’t describe the feelings that I had during my visit to Washington D.C. while viewing the memorials. So many good men and women have given their lives for the freedom that we all enjoy. I just wish it didn’t have to be that way, both in the past and now the present. I started and ended that one day with tears in my eyes. I don’t mean to sound like the tears were a bad thing, they were not. I just felt so very proud and humbled by the fact that I live in America. I know America is not perfect, but I am so very proud that we have our freedom to enjoy. When I looked at the memorials, read the names, I have to believe that those men and women did not die in vain. God Bless America. I really mean it!
Pretty Baby
Iwa Jima Memorial
Contest Winning Photo
Memorial
Washington Memorial