More Washington DC Photos

The National Gallery of Art was one of the high points of the trip for me. It was a little surreal to see so many legendary works of art under one roof, art that I've previously only seen in books and movies. We were only there for a relaxing two hours, but I could've stayed all day.



I was taken by the gorgeous sky-lit West Garden Court. I asked the kiddos to sit so I could take a few shots.


Elizabeth couldn't resist hamming it up with Rodin's Thinker.



And Degas' Little Dancer Aged Fourteen.



We also paid a visit to the Washington National Cathedral. While we were there all activity stopped at a quarter to the hour so that everyone could pray for peace. I loved seeing Scripture engraved on the walls, on pillars, on chairs, everywhere.

Elizabeth said, "Mom, this church is too fancy. I like our church better." :-)

One of the cathedral's magnificent stained glass windows features a piece of moon rock brought back by the Apollo 11 crew. It's highlighted in the center of the red spiral.

The boys were enamored with the National Air & Space Museum, and especially the Virginia adjunct, the Udvar-Hazy Center. They were thrilled to see an SR-71.

The boys insisted on taking a photo with C3PO at the National Museum of American History.

...and witnessed greenbacks being printed at the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing. We weren't allowed to take photos inside the press area, just at the entrance and the foyer near the gift shop. For the amount of money being printed each day (over $500 million), I couldn't believe how antiquated the process was. The printing machines were old and rickety and the sheets were inspected by hand. While we were there a couple of the machines jammed and they had to destroy the misprinted money.

It was impossible not to gawk at the huge stacks of uncut currency. It reminded me of those old Richie Rich comics I used to read as a little girl.

We had a number of fantastic meals in DC and Virgnia. The restaurant with the most entertaining atmosphere had to have been Ben's Chili Bowl. Okay, calling it a restaurant is sheer flattery. Dive is more like it. The chili dogs were only okay--and you could almost feel your arteries clogging with every bite--but it was a fun place to people watch. Alan and Dad ate the Chili Half Smoke named after Bill Cosby, who is reported to be a regular.

Me, I'm just a Zippy's chili kind of gal.

..."charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy." 1 Timothy 6:17