Travel Log

Dear Readers:

Madame has given sensible advice about being the good traveler! Those who have eyes, heed!

The travelogue continues, but the day I describe is July 4^th (or “4^th of July” in the popular term of reaching back to describe).

It started out with a cheese, spinach, and egg crepe, along with a Belgian dark chocolate and blueberry crepe from the good crepe place across the street. Very tasty.

It was alas too late, given teenage slumber physiology, to catch the annual re-enactment of the reading of the Declaration of Independence at the National Archives, but with the long day ahead, maybe just as well.

Proceeded on down to the “National Mall,” where all the notable buildings, memorials, etc. are.  See the Zero Milestone, the center of capitol (not to be confused with the center of the Capitol), and, at one time, the supposed center of the nation.  Sort of an “all roads lead to Rome” thing, appropriate given how much the Founders modeled their politics and architecture off ancient Rome. 

Quickly saw the Haupt Fountain and the German-American Friendship Garden, and then settled in to watch the 4^th of July parade down Constitution Avenue.  In truth, it was not much different from many parades—high school bands, car enthusiasts, service organizations, floats, big floating cartoon figures on strings, etc.—but they did have military bands as well, and they had the DC Air National Guard out as additional security.  It was hot and humid, and the parade was too long and repetitive.  The walking and the heat elicited loud, whiny, but not frequent, complaints from MFP.  Although I didn’t agree with her about the walking, and only a little about the heat and humidity, I’d had enough of the parade.

So after a while we escaped the heat and toured the Smithsonian American History Museum.  As well as eating at the café there, which wasn’t bad, although pricey.  Biggest arugula and squash salad I’ve ever had.  The museum was interesting, but not a favorite.  And the simulator ride to the dinosaur underwater past was a bit on the lame side.

Toured the Smithsonian Natural History museum next.  A fair amount of neat to see things.  Biggest crowd was to see the Hope Diamond.  I was thinking of some Pierce Brosnan movie about some heist, but in reading about the diamond’s tragic history, maybe all the would be thieves have decided that it’s cursed and better left alone, as there didn’t seem to be too much concern about it. 

Walked by some Dept of Justice buildings and then it was on to the National Aquarium.  Although it had piranhas, sharks, and alligators, I had to agree with MFP that it was a bit on the depressing side, with its obvious lack of funding.  With her love of animals, zoos, aquariums, etc., it was disheartening, especially being right in the middle of the federal DC complex.

The line at the National Archives was very long and moving slowly.  Probably not a good choice in the heat, I decided.

Walked over to see how the crowds were near the Lincoln Memorial.  Some stoner band was playing in the park, saying something about how there was no organized event this year but they were having a disorganized one anyway.  They rambled semi-coherently about how irresponsible and dark-hearted the dysfunctional government was on a number of issues: environment, marijuana, minority incarceration, etc.

The steps of the Lincoln Memorial were entirely covered with people already placing themselves for the fireworks.  Took a few pics of the Reflecting Pool and then it was back to being just under the Washington Monument.  Sat next to some ladies, who struck up a conversation with MFP in which she palavered both well and extensively, something she chooses to bring out only occasionally (like a number of teenagers, am sure!).  Or maybe she was just making up for wandering off for more than a bit, a sideline story sometime.

The crowds are big, really big, but not overwhelming.  The fireworks begin, and they are as spectacular as they look on TV (or in USA Today the next day, where, looking at the front page display, I could say “I was there”).   

It was a decent day, all told.  Yet I couldn’t help thinking back to words heard earlier in the day:

"Our children are soft."
Yes, and one day they will be conquered by a people who aren't, I thought.

How many Roman parents once uttered similar words, in the capitol, surrounded by grand architecture, while celebrating Rome’s founding?