Next we headed off to the Smithsonian National Zoo. By the time we got there it was 90+ degrees outside. We met up with ACE, Mari & D, ate our sack lunches, and started our trek through the zoo. Is there any other way to describe a trip to the zoo? We definitely got our workout. We saw pandas, birds, the making of the future elephant habitat, gorillas, zebras, monkeys, beavers, sea lions, & more, smelled the zoo smells and called it good..
Thomas thought the owls were pretty cool. There were several kinds there.
Grace loved the flamingos.
We all thought that the bald eagles were amazing, especially so close up.
Wesley really wanted to swim with the ducks. Did I mention it was in the 90's?
After a couple of hours of walking around in the heat, we were done. We walked back to the entrance with tots crying because their legs were tired and they just wanted to go back to ACE & Mari's. We let them vent, walked as fast as we could, traded piggy back rides for the little girls, took turns carrying Wes, and found the spirit to say "hi" to any animals we saw on the way out. What a sight.
We piled in the car and made a quick stop at 7-Eleven for Slurpee's. So perfect! The kids sipped away in silence as Wayne and I quietly plotted our next outing. Mean parents, I know, but in our defense our destination, the National Air and Space Museum over by Dulles Airport does have air conditioning. That, and the drive from the zoo was just long enough for us to get a bit of relief from the heat and long walk, up hill both ways at zoo. By the time we arrived at the Air and Space Museum (& parked for FREE since it was after 4pm) 1 of our 5 kids was ready to smile again for the camera. Thanks, Thomas! We walked in the museum and our jaws hit the floor. The girls seem to be timid about showing their excitement in these photos, but deep down they were just as impressed as the rest of us. Seriously....what a great museum! It doesn't trump the Air & Space Museum at the Nt'l Mall, but it definitely is worth seeing as well. I'm sure we'll be back to spend more time there.
Curtiss P-40 Warhawk - WWII
Under the Space Shuttle!
The space shuttle Enterprise...
The Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird which was developed during the Cold War and is still holds the record for altitude and speed.
The Enola Gay- aircraft used to drop the first atomic bomb.
The kids are standing in front of the Concorde and under scores of all sorts of different planes.
One of Amelia Earhart's flight suits.
Reproduction of one of the Wright Brothers' planes
Here are the best airplane moves we could muster after two days of museums, monuments, a zoo, and a temple. Our pocket books didn't feel much of anything, but boy we were ready to call it a day.
Little do the kids know the surprise awaiting them in the morning....
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5 comments:
Looks like so much fun! (except the hot zoo trek...) I'm anxiously awaiting the surprise!!!
I can't believe how tall your kids are getting!
There's a museum like that up at Hill Air Force Base. AMAZING!
I love your family vacations! You always seem to get so much in, and plan so well. That museum does look like it is amazing! Matt has gone over there to kill time before when he's been in Dulles.
You make me want to go to DC! That looks like a great trip. I'll have to keep that airplane museum in mind when we finally get the family out there.
that Air and Space Museum is heads and tails better than the one at the Smithsonian!! My parents served a temple mission there a few years ago & took us there (and one of the best parts is not fighting the crowds & heat to get there!!)
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