Sunday, April 22, 2012
It rained all day today and was quite chilly.

Two of these little fellas were playing outside our hotel

James Garfield Statue at the Capitol Building

The hotel had a large umbrella for us to use, so we walked to the Capitol building and then on to several of the Smithsonian Museums.  The first one we went to, and the most popular, was the National Air and Space Museum.  They did not have the Discovery on display ... sadly.

Muray at the Air and Space Museum

 Katie, your son would have really loved this museum !

The Breitling, which "flew" under a hot air balloon

The Mail plane and other old planes

Then we walked to the National Museum of the American Indian, where we spent a lot of time.  They also had a fabulous Zagat cafe, with foods influenced by American Indians.  Even fry bread !  And, Cathy, they even let us takes pictures with the flash !

Huichol VW ---- hand beaded, even on the inside !

Beautiful bronze sculptures throughout the museum

Display of arrowheads

Display of ancient figures that have been excavated

Ceremonial chief garb

Then we walked to the National Botanical Gardens, where there was a huge display of orchids !

Now, don't ask the name of these orchids ...

After visiting the botanical gardens, we walked back to our hotel.  We have been using our Car Finger app on our iPhone to find out way back to our hotel.  It works beautifully.
After resting, we needed to find someplace to eat dinner.  The gentleman at the front desk recommended Legal Seafood in Chinatown, which was quite a ways away.  Nothing nice near our hotel that is open on a Sunday, sooooo .... We took our vehicle out and using the GPS, we found the restaurant.  The only problem being that it was by the Verizon Center, where a hockey game was going on.  We had to use their parking structure, which cost us $17.  Oh, well ... didn't feel like using the Metro in the rain, at night, and not knowing where we were going.
I had Maryland Cream of Crab soup that was phenomenol.  Then, Craig and I split a dinner of crabcakes, shrimp and scallops.  A fabulous dinner.  Back to our hotel and tucked in for the night. 
Tomorrow???  Who knows.  If it is still raining, then probably more museums, etc.  We haven't been in the Capitol building yet, either.  Or the White House.