National Air and Space Museum

Ghis touching a piece of moon rock.
Ghis touching a piece of moon rock.

Morgane really liked this museum and I learned some new things. For example, how things fly. That’s also the name of the kids’ hands-on exhibit.

I like shiny things!
I like shiny things!

We watched a little demonstration that explained the principles of flight – lift, thrust, drag and ?? Morgane got to be a volunteer. Now I understand how rockets are designed for space where there is no air and propellers are designed for air. Air is a fluid like water, so moving through air is a bit like swimming. Also, air that is moving more quickly has less pressure than slower moving air. So the air that goes over the wing (the longer path, therefore the air moves faster) creates lift. Okay, I don’t understand it perfectly, but if you take a strip of paper and hold it against your skin, just under your mouth and you blow straight forward, the paper will lift up.

Pilot Morgane
Pilot Morgane

I think that was our last DC day. Anyway I am museumed-out. I would have liked to see the art gallery, that’s all I really missed.

We are not sure where to go now – the mountains or the coast. We are looking for a woofing spot, but no luck so far. Ghis’s back is feeling better though.

I didn't know the planets each had cute little logos.
I didn't know the planets each had cute little logos.

Late Night Photo Escapade

Finally, a parking spot!
Finally, a parking spot!

Ghis and I snuck out at 10:30pm last night and drove to Washington DC to take pictures of the lit buildings. We started with the White House and while I was trying to focus, they shut all the lights off. Also, there was nowhere to park or even stop near a lot of the monuments.

The White House
The White House
The White House, a moment later.
The White House, a moment later.

I did spot a cupcake place but it had just closed at 11pm. We did get a few nice shots though.

Capitol Hill
Capitol Hill

We’ve both discovered that our parents have their own histories in these parts. My parents took their honeymoon at Virginia Beach. Ghis’s parents visited Washington DC and got kicked out trying to climb the White House stairs or something. Maybe Ghis can correct me on this!

The Lincoln Memorial
The Lincoln Memorial