Last days in DC

Here's some final pics from our time in DC:

Dad with "The Spirit of St. Louis" at the Air and Space Museum.

Our family favorite:  The Natural History Museum.  The echo-y old building put me in mind of the science building on Reinhardt campus - the perfect setting for stuffed animals and skeletons - it made you wonder what was hiding in the corners.

Mom got to see the Hope Diamond, which is the only thing she remembers from going to the Smithsonian during her childhood in DC.

This gorgeous diamond and turquoise diadem was given by Napoleon to his second wife.  I drooled over it for a long time.

The mineral selection was amazing.  Dad spent at least an hour here, much to Mom's dismay. 

I loved the bones section of the Natural History Museum.  They had some human skeletons from the early colonial period and gave excellent forensic descriptions that explained how they died.

Leaving the Natural History Museum - on our way to the American History Museum.

Overall, the American History Museum was a flop.  It was undergoing renovation, so much of what we wanted to see wasn't there.  One green guy who I wanted to meet was there, though! ;)

Our last stop was the National Zoo - just to see the pandas!  I was also intrigued by the "bunny ears" which were actually lit up at night to attract insects for research purposes.  The black squirrel was a big hit, too!

Thanks, Mom and Dad, for an awesome vacation!