#93 May 2015 Washington DC

After a refreshing tour of mountains and caverns we headed towards Washington DC. The park we chose in Maryland offers Washington transit and tours directly from the park. That was a big bonus, as we did not want to drive in Washington.

We started with the “DC After Dark” Tour. A double decker bus arrived to discover Ralph and I were the only passengers from the park.

The bus picked up more passengers in Washington at Union Station where we had a peak at the Capitol Building.

We knew the dome was being restored but it was still impressive to actually see the Heart of American power.

The White House is very imposing and appears secure with military personnel and fencing around it, which should discourage intruders.

The sentries on the roof should detect anyone with ulterior motives.

The “Bike Share” program seems to work well even in the evenings.

The Washington Monument is visible from many locations.

The Lincoln Memorial is very dramatic and moving after our experiences in many Civil War museums and battlefields.

The Gettysburg Address sums up why the Western World fights for democracy. Several years ago we were in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on the anniversary of the Address. A descendant of Lincoln gave the speech in the original location. That was the beginning of our understanding of the Civil War.

We saw many monuments and points of interest; however, the bus driver was new to the tour. His presentation appeared to be a memorized monologue that was difficult to follow. We were disappointed and did not receive the detailed information that usually highlights a tour.

We are not big city people and had been in big cities for a few weeks. We decided not to explore any more Washington city sights.

The Smithsonian Institution is world renowned for its museums; however, there is one location that is not well known. The “National Air and Space Museum - Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center” is located nearby in Virginia and only accessible by car (transit is in the planning stages). It opened in 2003 and houses the “excess” aircraft displays from the Air and Space Museum on the National Mall. The Wall of Fame provides an impressive approach.

Upon entering the museum there appears to be a ghostly aircraft. It is intended to be a ghost – the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird - the Stealth.

No reconnaissance aircraft in history has operated in more hostile airspace or with such complete impunity than the SR-71, the world’s fastest jet-propelled aircraft. During 24 years of active service the Blackbird accrued over 2,800 hours of flight time. In 1990 it set a speed record by flying from Los Angeles to Washington DC in 1 hour, 4 minutes and 20 seconds, averaging 2,124 mph. At the flight’s conclusion, it landed at Washington-Dulles International Airport and the airplane was turned over to the Smithsonian.

The organization of the displayed aircraft is based on time period, location and type of usage. It is very well structured. Our 80 year old tour guide was a military and commercial pilot and now volunteers his incredible wealth of knowledge to the public. He seemed to know the history of every piece of equipment on display. Our 90 minute tour lasted 3 hours and we loved every minute. He brought to life the story of the aircraft, often from personal experience.

In 1976 when the Concorde went into service it was the epitome of commercial aviation’s achievements. For over 25 years it flew thousands of passengers across the Atlantic in less than four hours, twice as fast as a conventional jetliner. However, its high operating costs resulted in very high fares, which few people could afford. In 2003, upon completion of its final flight, Air France donated this Concorde to the Smithsonian.

This view of the Concorde shows a few of the other aircraft displayed up, down and sideways.

Looking upward, the ceiling shows man's determination to fly.

Near the end of World War II some 5,000 Japanese pilots died making kamikaze attacks. The Ohka was designed to allow a pilot with minimal training to drop from a navy bomber at high altitude. At high speed he would guide his aircraft, with its warhead, into an Allied warship.

With its own hangar, the Space Shuttle Discovery is a highlight. The Space Shuttle program dramatically raised awareness of space and its possibilities.

This Shuttle shows the wear and tear from being in space much like the Independence at Houston Space Center (post #66) and Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center (post #79).

The Restoration Hangar is littered with current projects and many others waiting for funding.

Each time we visit an aircraft or space museum we are once again reminded of the aviation achievements from the Wright Brothers to the Space Shuttle and beyond in just over a century. This museum is well worth the drive.