Vacation Nerdiness

I find that I enjoy historic things much more now that I am older...case in point: Washington, D.C.. I recall being here as a child, and I imagine I looked every bit as bored as many of the adolescents that I see wandering around the city here in step behind their parents. Now however, after having developed a penchant for U.S. political history and being a big nerd in general, I find that I am having a much greater appreciation of things.

Today I visited the (relatively) new Udvar-Hazy Air and Space Museum Annex of the Smithsonian, out by Dulles. One of the best museum experiences I've had. The architecture and layout are top-notch, the exhibits are all in excellent shape and laid out in interesting displays, and the museum itself was spacious and relatively uncrowded for a Friday in the summer, which made it much easier to take one's time and read placards and such. Here's a photo of me standing by the Space Shuttle Enterprise.

I also visited the Washington Monument the other day. I have this really great photo of my grandfather in D.C. in the 1940's, looking much more dapper than I, sitting on a bench at the corner of the monument. I found the same spot (you can match the patterns in the stone and everything), and took a picture there myself. Same location, about 60 years removed. Kind of gave me the chills. :-)

Also went and saw a Nationals game at the soon-to-be-defunct RFK stadium. I forget how nice it is, living in Boston, that in some cities you can just go the day before or the day of and get really good tickets (third-base side in this case). This is of course very unlike Boston, where you have to plan months in advance to see any game and just pray for good weather. Oh well, I guess that is the price you pay to have a team in contention.















Lastly, this was one photo that was just to good to pass up...