Dumfries, Triangle Va and Washington D.C.

Fri. We drove to Dumfries Va. to the Prince William Forest RV Campground. The trip was great till we got to I-95 where the traffic was stopped going south and slow going north. After a small delay we got to the campground got set up then drove to Starbucks for a treat then to Prince William Forest Park. After talking to the volunteers at the welcome area we walked about 4 miles in a woods that was NOT that pretty, the water falls was a small cascade, and it was HOT. When we got home we both were exhausted ready for a shower and get out of our sweaty clothes!!!.

.

Sat. We went to the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Top left out on the street the replica Marine Corp War Memorial flag raising at Mount Suribachi battle for Iwo Jima. Picture below is the flag that flew there and next to the flag is a WW2 vet that fought at Iwo Jima(he was 89yrs old and was very interesting listening to him). Top right is a picture of John  Philip Sousa. How at 13 he ran away to the circus because he did not want to be in the service. He was put in the service  as a apprentice musician. After many years he became the head of the Marine Band for 5 presidents and he wrote Stars and Stripes Forever and Semper Fidelis. The two middle right are on display as you walk into the museum. We were told that all of the planes, cars and tanks all are in working order. Bottom left is Molly Marine dedicated to all the women past, present and future who earn the title of "Marine". Next to her is Iron Mike. Then the third bottom picture is King Armored Car. Produced for the marine in 1916 By Armored Motor Car Co. of Detroit on a King luxury sedan chassis. In all 10 were made and they never saw war.

Sun. Yea we made it to our campground(Cherry Hill) in Washington D.C. After we got set up we took the metro to town.

We went to the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum, Hirshhorn Museum, African Art Museum, Sackler Art Gallery, Freer Gallery Art & Industries, and American History Museum.

Mon. We took the train in to town again.  It sure is nice getting there with no traffic. Below are some of the many statues.

 Also there are many museums.  Two that we enjoyed today was the United States Botanic Garden(3rd top) and Thomas Jefferson Building and Exhibitions (Library of Congress).  They have millions of books in multi buildings If you have a permit you will get your book within hours. They will let everyone use most of the books. The detail in the building is beyond description, there are so many hidden meanings everywhere you look. This was our favorite so far we could spend another day there. The next five pictures. Bottom row you have the Supreme Court, Minute Man, U. S. Capital Building, and U.S. Court House.

We went to the  U. S. Botanic garden and just love how it was laid out and all the flowers.

Tues. Linda had one of her headache, we are hoping it will be gone tomorrow which will be the third day. We went to town anyway and saw the Natural History Museum. It was raining and by the time we walked the four blocks we both were drenched.After taking off our rain gear and getting a little dry we had a wonderful visit at the museum, there was so much to see. As we walked to the U. S. Dept. of the Interior we past Washington Monument, the White House and other monuments.

 At the Dept. of the Interior we had a mural tour with one other couple.  The building was one of the first in D.C. around 1930 they went through many interior ideas before doing these murals. When we left we were a little bum because we were to see the Marine Corps at the Iwo Jima Memorial Parade and it got rained out.

Wed. Linda still has headache but up went to D.C. After we got off the train we went to get a roll at a bakery and across the street Starbucks coffee.  We went to the U.S.Archives. Then ate lunch as we walked to the capitol, Linda made a friend along the way. 2nd row left the Capitol is being renovated. 2nd picture the picture used on a two dollar bill. When they did the Lincoln statue the right side is when he was younger and the left older. We went back to the Library of Congress and went through Bob Hopes section. They had alot of interacting their. We then walked to Good Stuff eatery and had a Obama burger, fries and a marshmallow milk shake (yum yum).