Rise early and catch the train to D.C. That's the start to our annual trip to Washington D.C. with David, Emily, Gary and Laurie. Our first stop was lunch at Founding Farmers, a popular restaurant we tried to visit last year but failed without a reservation. This year we had a reservation and the food did not disappoint. We enjoyed lunch and would return again....but Tom would make a more appropriate selection from the menu!
The Department of Interior museum was a few blocks away and we ducked in to see it. It wasn't much, a revolving exhibit in a small room. Across the hall was a Native American Crafts Store....who would have guessed?
Next, we went in search of the Einstein sculpture on Constitution Avenue. Do search for it. The huge rendition of Einstein is very impressive and it captures his intrinsic curiosity of the universe.
Joy and amazement of the beauty and grandeur of this world of which man can just form a faint notion.
Albert Einstein
On the way back to the Hampton, we stopped by the National Gallery to see a photography exhibit. We concluded a very busy day at our favorite restaurant near the hotel; Busboys and Poets!
Saturday
First on the agenda was a stop at the Koshland Science Museum, a part of the National Academy of Sciences. The exhibits for the most part are computer based and well done exploring subjects like climate change and aging. I enjoyed it a lot. As an educator, however, I wonder who their target audience is? I can see high school and college students along with adults enjoying the museum, but there is little to offer the elementary and middle school crowd.
Next we hopped on the DC Circulator Bus to Georgetown. We toured the central shopping district and tried to eat at Farmers Fishers Bakers at Washington Harbour but could not get seated. So we headed to Martin's Tavern, an eclectic place with great food and booths known by the politicos who ate there; such as the Harry Truman, John F. Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and Richard Nixon booths.
Our next stop was the oldest private house in Washington D.C., the Old Stone House built in 1765; definitely worth the stop and free tour!
Climbing the hill north of M Street, we ascended into the realm of the super wealthy to visit Dumbarton Oaks. The former home of Robert and Mildred Bliss (heir to the Fletcher's Castoria fortune) was donated to Harvard University and serves as a research institute for Byzantine, Garden and Landscape, and Pre-Columbian studies. The collection of artifacts and the facility are very impressive. Strolling around the outside of the house, we immediately decided to return to visit the vast gardens in the spring when the flowers are in bloom!
Drinks and dinner at the Georgetown Piano Bar ended our tour of Georgetown before we boarded the bus and returned to our hotel for the night.
Sunday
At Martin's Tavern, a patron told us about a wonderful exhibit at the Renwick Gallery. Hence, our first stop today was at the Renwick to see the large scale exhibition called Wonder; one huge piece of art created by an artist in each of the Gallery's nine rooms. It was an amazing experience for all ages! I'm so glad we got that tip!
It was lunch time so we headed to the American Indian museum for lunch. We love the unique offerings in its cafeteria. Gary had never been to the Smithsonian Castle so we toured that before heading back to the hotel. Laurie wanted to stop at the Koshland on the way back to see a few exhibits she missed and......to see if the curator remembered he would admit us for free if we stopped by today! Gretchen was excited because she could do the distracted driving simulation! Emily was not feeling well today so she waited at the hotel. She had a reaction to the antibiotic she was taking after her dental surgery. Hang in there Emily! It's been an arduous process and we really hope the surgery is successful in the end!
Thanks Gary for great trip planning once again! Oh, the weekend cost of our Metro and Circulator Bus transportation was $3.55 thanks to our Senior Smartcards!
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