DC trip day 2: Sunday

Long lines were the theme of our trip.  No matter where we went, it seemed that there were hundreds of other people wanting to do the same thing.  Apparently Spring Break in our nation's capital is very busy - several people in the area said it was unusually busy and "crazy."  It also turns out that many places have started to sell advanced "timed" tickets for entry to the sights.  You can try to get in line and get a free ticket, or you can go online and buy them in advance.  Well in advance.  Most of the places that we wanted to see were sold out for several weeks in the future.  More on this in the post about Monday.

On Day 2 of our Washington, DC trip, we were in line for the Air and Space Museum bright and early 20 minutes before it opened.  We weren't the first in line, but we definitely had an edge over all the other people who showed up after us.  

This museum was one of the highlights of our trip.

In line, before the museum opened.

We watched the IMAX 3D movie about D-Day.

Wearing the goofy mirrored 3D glasses...

Nate got to see the Lunar Module.

It was really cold, and a bit rainy with some sleet on this day.  I think the high this day was 38.  It was cold, but we toughed it out.

After the Air and Space Museum, on the National Mall.  Do we look cold?

Nate had really wanted to see the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and Bill of Rights.  However, the line to enter the National Archives was way too long, so we decided to get a snack instead.  

A coffee shop right behind the National Archives.

After the snack we went on a walk down Pennsylvania Avenue.  

Nate and the Treasury Building

The White House!

The (under construction) American Black History Museum

After this walk, we headed back to the hotel, with a quick pit stop in the Natural History Museum for a bathroom break and to warm up.  

The cleaning staff had made Nate's bed...

Dinner was burgers at a local bar/grill/restaurant.  Then on the way back from dinner we found something that we couldn't pass by without photographing.  (This may be one of my favorite pictures from the whole trip.)

What do you think is on the placard?

"Tom's"

Distance Walked: 8.1 miles.
Total Distance: 13.5 miles