Playing Tourist for a Few Hours

I took my DB#2 to the Air & Space Museum in Chantilly, VA. We spent over 3 hours here. This was my 2nd trip to the museum and there was much more to see as they had finished the "Space Hangar" which included the Space Shuttle Enterprise. I let DB#2 linger around all the airplane engines displayed...as for me..."if you've seen one, you've seen enough".

Here's some pictures I took of our adventure:



The planes were everywhere:


Yellow ones:


My favorite shuttle picture...a winner:


The backside of the shuttle with DB#2 underneath:


One of 4 flight simulators:


Two simulators that actually roll and bump:




More planes:












And I couldn't get enough pictures of the space shuttle:


We were sooooo engrossed in all the planes, that we forgot to take a trip up to the tower. Next time.

So, if you are in or near the DC/Northern Virginia area...I highly recommend visiting this museum. It's less than a mile south of Dulles International Airport off of Rt 28 in Chantilly, VA. There's an entrance fee of $12/car. A real bargain if you can more than 4 people in your car.

We Will Never Forget...Pentagon Memorial Dedication

I wanted to take the time from our hectic schedules to remember those who lost their lives 7 years ago...the WTC, the Pentagon, and the airline flight that crashed in Pennsylvania.

Early this morning, DH and I attended the Pentagon Memorial Dedication. I will never forget the feelings of sorrow & peace as they read the names of the 184 who lost their lives that day (125 at the Pentagon & 59 on American Airlines Flight 77).

Side Trip

My DB is in town for an extended weekend.

Yesterday, we took an early morning trip into Washington, DC. We arrived at the Smithsonian metrorail stop and came upon the Washington Monument. It was great to get an early start and we were able to capture some "quiet moment" pictures before the tour buses arrived.

Our goal was to go down to the Tidal Basin to see if any cherry trees were blooming. Yes...I know we are late by a week or two to catch any late bloomers, but DB's flight was cancelled last week. You remember...American Airlines and correcting the wiring in their planes (glad they were able to fix that issue).

As we approached the Tidal Basin and the Jefferson Memorial, there was not a bloomin' cherry tree in sight. Sigh.

We continued our walk along the basin and lo and behold, we find a tree full of blossoms.

We headed to the Jefferson Memorial and walked up the majestic steps.

We continued our journey around the Basin, we came across the FDR memorial park. This was a nice surprise. Here, they had several "rooms" with waterfall displays, statues, etc.

A startled squirrel was also passing through this park.

We left the Basin and headed over to the World War II Memorial.

We had an incredible day walking around and the weather was perfect.

So, naturally no pattern review got done and I am one tired puppy. :)