Well it had been about a zillion degrees this week but we decided to proceed with our next mission. On this mission we will attempt to see all of the Smithsonian Museums. We have about 2 hours to accomplish this so here we go......Oh, just one disclaimer before we get started - there is no photography allowed in alot of the exhibits in these museums and no flash photography ever. Therefore, many of the pictures might be blurry since we had to force the camera into no flash mode.
First stop, the Freer and Sackler Galleries. We can't really remember which artwork was in which museum because you travel between the two via underground tunnels. It all gets a bit jumbled in your head (especially when you're traveling at warp speed through these places). We basically went in, looked quickly, found something of interest to snap a photo of, then moved onto the next building.
This was titled "Standing Buddha" - who knew you could lose that much weight just by standing up straight!
These pots were comparing earthenware to pottery (I think). One was super heavy and the other one pretty light. By the way, the sign said to please pick them up so Joy isn't breaking any laws here!
Of course there's time to pause for a shot like this of our beautiful city!
Next up - the Smithsonian Castle. There's not really much in the Castle now except information and offices but since it's the classic scene we decided we'd better not skip it!
Visitors can check the scale map of Washington, DC andfigure out what to do next.
There was some construction going on around the Castle. Luckily we came upon this sign that showed Brady how to cross the sidewalk safely.
Stop #4 - The Museum of African Art. side note: we're about an hour into our adventure and have barely scratched the surface of the museums. Do you think we're gonna make it?
Very quiet, very dimly lit museum with some very intricate artwork. We only took a picture of these cool "people" for sale in the gift shop though. The clock's ticking y'know!
Museum #5 - The Hirshorn Museum. This circular museum is a favorite of our friends Nathan & Julie Siwak - they got engaged inside! There's a beautiful fountain in the courtyard too.
Photos are tricky in this one - it's dark and heavily guarded but we did manage to snap this one. Brady at "Niagara Falls". It was basically a giant screen with the falls projected onto it. We'll still never understand what makes something ART and with that title the honor of being in a Smithsonian Museum. Oh well.
Outside pictures are allowed - and if you ask us - much more fun. Here's Brady joking around with some of the gang!
Since the U.S. Capitol is technically the center of the city, we are usually able to spot it from wherever we are on a mission. When we do see it, we try to snap a picture with it - just because we can.......... or can we? This pic was kind of a fail!
Anyway, moving on to #6 - The Natioinal Air and Space Museum. (Joy's least favorite museum - always has been, always will be). This museum is the most visited of any Smithsonian so we did a quick trip in through security, found 2 favorites, tried to get out through the McDonald's, backtracked all the way back around to the enter/exit doors and got out pretty quickly! Here's what we saw in that 10 minutes.....
Brady with the Spirit of St. Louis (because he loves flying)Joy with Charles Lindbergh (because they have the same goggles!)
Upon exiting the museum we somehow found ourselves in the middle of some kind of peace march/rally. There were drums, instruments of all sorts, chanting....it was great!
After the peace march, we made it into the National Museum of the American Indian. We had only ventured into this museum once before because we thought it was pretty boring.
Joy set the camera on a big rock with the self-timer going. It's not a bad photo - just a little crooked. The museum wasn't actually as bad as we expected. The only bad part is that you have to get to the 3rd floor before seeing too many real exhibits. We certainly didn't have time for that. Here's what we saw on floor 2. 
This beadwork flag was amazing. Not sure you can tell by the picture but those are words, done in beading, throughout the entire flag. Oh the skilled hands that made that - impressive!
Here's Brady doing his best "angry Indian" face - don't be messin' with him!
Upon exiting the museum we somehow found ourselves in the middle of some kind of peace march/rally. There were drums, instruments of all sorts, chanting....it was great!"Stop the violence - keep the peace!"
What do we want? PEACE When do we want it? NOW!
After the peace march, we made it into the National Museum of the American Indian. We had only ventured into this museum once before because we thought it was pretty boring.
Joy set the camera on a big rock with the self-timer going. It's not a bad photo - just a little crooked. The museum wasn't actually as bad as we expected. The only bad part is that you have to get to the 3rd floor before seeing too many real exhibits. We certainly didn't have time for that. Here's what we saw on floor 2. This beadwork flag was amazing. Not sure you can tell by the picture but those are words, done in beading, throughout the entire flag. Oh the skilled hands that made that - impressive!
Here's Brady doing his best "angry Indian" face - don't be messin' with him!The entrance area of this museum is so pretty with rocks and fountains all around - a nice place for a picnic.....if only there was time!
A quick stop at the Sculpture Garden next to Joy's favorite - the antique typewriter eraser wheel. Oh those were the good ole days!
A quick stop at the Sculpture Garden next to Joy's favorite - the antique typewriter eraser wheel. Oh those were the good ole days!(actually this picture is out of order but we can't get it to move so....just pretend) 
Museum #8 - The National Gallery of Art (East and West buildings) At this point we have 20 minutes until our 2 hours is up - gonna have to move a little faster....
This is probably Brady's favorite museum. He loves to just walk through looking at all of the artwork. There are benches where he can sit and read or think.....it's so very peaceful...
I'm pretty sure Joy could be a hand model =)
Museum #8 - The National Gallery of Art (East and West buildings) At this point we have 20 minutes until our 2 hours is up - gonna have to move a little faster....
This is probably Brady's favorite museum. He loves to just walk through looking at all of the artwork. There are benches where he can sit and read or think.....it's so very peaceful...BUT NOT TODAY!!!
Today we went into the East building, rode the escalator down a level, looked at the hand sculptures, rode the moving sidewalk to the West building, looked for a photo exhibit (that wasn't worth it) and exited out the far doors. We'll definitely have to go back and spend a bit more time in this one.
I'm pretty sure Joy could be a hand model =)OK - this is where the typewriter sculpture goes because this is what happened next. We went through the Sculpture Garden and sat at the beautiful fountain. We had done 8 museums in 2 hours, it was hot, we were hungry......
We decided to bail on the American History and Natural History Museums. We went to get food at the Panda Cafe instead. What we ate was spicy so we finished off with Ben & Jerry's.
This Smithsonian Race was a valiant effort, too bad we didn't succeed - better luck next time!
We decided to bail on the American History and Natural History Museums. We went to get food at the Panda Cafe instead. What we ate was spicy so we finished off with Ben & Jerry's.
This Smithsonian Race was a valiant effort, too bad we didn't succeed - better luck next time!
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