Striker5
06-06-10, 12:41
My planning hit a bump due to a walk/run for breast cancer, blocking my routes into the mall area. Some observations:
-I had been in DC once as a gopher at the Marine Corps Marathon in 2001, but never saw the sights. This was an opportunity as I am on TAD, so there are no loved ones to slow me down or influence my actions(stupid loved ones!:D).
-Started at the Washington Monument, worked my way down the reflecting pool to the Lincoln Memorial. En route I hit the WWII memorial, very appropriately put in place by GW Bush. Went to the Vietnam Memorial, which hit me harder than I was expecting. Then on to the Korean War memorial - those guys had to wait a long time to get this one.
-I was impressed and pleased to see that there was no public jackassery - none. Everyone was respectful and well-behaved. I think the place is awe inspiring and the Capitol police were efficient. I think when the Capitol cops crushed DC demonstrations in the 60's and 70's it worked its way into that hippy DNA and they know not to screw around the mall area.
-Next stop was the national history museum. Most of it was OK - but when it was good it was really good. Seeing the chair that Lee sat in when he signed the treaty at Appamatox was worth the price of the trip. I stood there for a few minutes dumbfounded thinking "Lee sat in that chair". Saw G Washington's uniform - big dude.
-The America goes to war section was very good. I talked to this kid for a few minutes and he was quizzing me on all the issue weapons and knives, etc the USMC employs (haircut gave me away). I tried to be professional and courteous, but I could tell that Mom was not pleased with this conversation. I complimented kiddo on his knowledge (he asked me if an EMP would short out NVGs) and went my merry way.
-Went to National Art Museum - highlights were David's Napoleon, Rembrandts, a handful of truly amazing Vermeers and a single, typically disturbing, Bosch (Death of the Miser). LOTS of naked kids on canvas and in marble - creepy. Went to the modern art bldg - Crap. A huge building full of kindergarten fingerpainting and junk hauled in from the grassy patch behind the shed. There were some Van Gogh's, Cezanne and Gaugin, but the rest was pure tomfoolery.
-Saw people from all over the world, some homos, a crew of Down's syndrome folks, a boy scout troop and most of the hot women in the world went to DC that weekend evidently. A platoon of uniformed Germans were getting their pictures taken w/ some Japanese honeys - only in the USA.
-In conclusion, the trip was moving and exciting and a little depressing. This is the greatest country in history - all the power of Rome and mind boggling decency and restraint. It makes our decline that much worse. More Americans should go to DC to see the majesty of the country they are frittering away with their ignorance, apathy, and foolish notions about the human race.
If you've never been you should go. God Bless America.
-I had been in DC once as a gopher at the Marine Corps Marathon in 2001, but never saw the sights. This was an opportunity as I am on TAD, so there are no loved ones to slow me down or influence my actions(stupid loved ones!:D).
-Started at the Washington Monument, worked my way down the reflecting pool to the Lincoln Memorial. En route I hit the WWII memorial, very appropriately put in place by GW Bush. Went to the Vietnam Memorial, which hit me harder than I was expecting. Then on to the Korean War memorial - those guys had to wait a long time to get this one.
-I was impressed and pleased to see that there was no public jackassery - none. Everyone was respectful and well-behaved. I think the place is awe inspiring and the Capitol police were efficient. I think when the Capitol cops crushed DC demonstrations in the 60's and 70's it worked its way into that hippy DNA and they know not to screw around the mall area.
-Next stop was the national history museum. Most of it was OK - but when it was good it was really good. Seeing the chair that Lee sat in when he signed the treaty at Appamatox was worth the price of the trip. I stood there for a few minutes dumbfounded thinking "Lee sat in that chair". Saw G Washington's uniform - big dude.
-The America goes to war section was very good. I talked to this kid for a few minutes and he was quizzing me on all the issue weapons and knives, etc the USMC employs (haircut gave me away). I tried to be professional and courteous, but I could tell that Mom was not pleased with this conversation. I complimented kiddo on his knowledge (he asked me if an EMP would short out NVGs) and went my merry way.
-Went to National Art Museum - highlights were David's Napoleon, Rembrandts, a handful of truly amazing Vermeers and a single, typically disturbing, Bosch (Death of the Miser). LOTS of naked kids on canvas and in marble - creepy. Went to the modern art bldg - Crap. A huge building full of kindergarten fingerpainting and junk hauled in from the grassy patch behind the shed. There were some Van Gogh's, Cezanne and Gaugin, but the rest was pure tomfoolery.
-Saw people from all over the world, some homos, a crew of Down's syndrome folks, a boy scout troop and most of the hot women in the world went to DC that weekend evidently. A platoon of uniformed Germans were getting their pictures taken w/ some Japanese honeys - only in the USA.
-In conclusion, the trip was moving and exciting and a little depressing. This is the greatest country in history - all the power of Rome and mind boggling decency and restraint. It makes our decline that much worse. More Americans should go to DC to see the majesty of the country they are frittering away with their ignorance, apathy, and foolish notions about the human race.
If you've never been you should go. God Bless America.