D.C. is for History Lovers

This weekend was my last "free weekend" for awhile - tomorrow it's back to spending every free minute cramming for one more FINRA license I have to obtain by mid-September.  We trekked into D.C. to the National Mall to check out a number of places that were on our list of must-sees.  Our first stop was the National Archives.  If you've seen the movie National Treasure, staring Nicholas Cage, I'm sure you remember the scene when Riley uses the camera laser to raise the temperature of the display case so that the Declaration of Independence has to be moved to the underground vault so that Benjamin Gates can steal it.  Movies have a way of romanticizing things and then when you get to experience them in real life, you're met with a huge let down.  We waited an hour in line to get in to the exhibit...anticipation mounting...excited to see the most important documents of our Nation's history...pushing and squirming our way through smelly tourists...to get a 3 minute glance at the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and the Bill of Rights.  Don't get me wrong, it was amazing to see these historic documents, but it was not the glamorous scene depicted in the movie. 

Next, we walked over to the Museum of Natural History.  The main artifact we were on a mission to find was the Hope Diamond.  This breathtaking 45.52 carat diamond supposedly carries a curse. (Click link for a list of those affected by the supposed curse.)  For a limited time, it is on display in a special diamond setting designed by Mr. Harry Winston.  After Mr. Winston purchased the diamond he donated it to the Smithsonian because he believed it would keep him from be afflicted by the curse.

For lunch we walked over to the American Indian Museum.  It was our first time visiting this museum and it was amazing.  The building was constructed so that there are no right angles.  Really, NONE!  Native Americans believe that evil spirits can hide in corners.  The architecture of this building flows beautifully.  A tip from us to you, if you're visiting the National Mall, skip eating at all of the other museum food courts, don't buy an overpriced hotdog or soft pretzel from a food cart vender...walk yourself over to this museum for a one of a kind meal at the Mitsitam Cafe.   

The cafe features different food stations serving food from different Native American regions.  I tried the conch ceviche from the South American section and Josh tried the chipotle chicken flat bread taco from the Central American section.  I hadn't eaten conch since 2009 when we were in the Turks & Caicos Islands.   Mmmm Mmmm have I missed it. 

Across the street from the American Indian Museum is the United States Botanical Gardens.  I'd love to come back here when the weather is nicer.  Amid the hustle and bustle of D.C. the gardens offer a quiet, serene oasis.  When my parents come back to visit, we'll definitely have to take my mom here.  Although her love for photographing foliage could make it hard for us to ever get her out of the gardens. 

Suffering from achy feet and mild heat exhaustion we found our way back to the metro station.  Plans for our next excursion to this area include the International Spy Museum and Ford's Theatre!