Cherry Hill RV Resort, College Park, MD:  We sat outside for a while again this morning.  Not long though before the searing heat drove us inside.  Took care of some computer stuff and then checked out some movie theaters in the area.  Found one nearby and planned on going to the 1:45 show, but we got watching a movie on TV and didn’t bother.  Just stayed inside and watched movies all day.  Tomorrow should be the last day.  Next week the highs will be in the mid-80s.  Yesterday a couple of cars in the metro derailed.  The green line, which is the one we usually take.  They had to shut the power down in both directions—at rush hour.  Bet that was fun.  They say the heat caused the rail to buckle, or something like that.  Supposedly 103 today.  Not sure what the heat index was.

Cherry Hill RVResort, College Park, MD:  Planned on driving down to Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello today.  But after we determined it would be about 130 miles each way, mostly on two-lane roads, we decided not to.  Besides, we would be outside a lot of the time.  Not a good idea in 100+ heat.  So we headed over to the laundry here in the park and did the laundry.  It’s a really nice facility and the chore didn’t take long at all.  Came back and put everything away and then headed out to get a prescription for Mike and do some grocery shopping.  Got that done and everything put away and then I sat outside for a while in the shade reading my book.  Just too hot.  Inside the rest of the day in the air conditioning.

On the steamy sidewalks of D.C.
Picture by Mike

Reflecting pool, National Gallery of Art

Cherry Hill RV Resort, College Park, MD:  Back into D.C. this morning.  Took the express bus to the metro station, got on the metro and we were on the streets by 11:00.  Really hot again.  We went to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and basically spent the whole day there.  All the First Lady inaugural gowns are on display.  Well, most of them anyway.  I was looking forward to seeing Jackie Kennedy’s gown, but it wasn’t there.  It wasn’t at the Kennedy Library in Boston either, so I don’t know where it is.  Had lunch at the cafeteria in the museum, which was really expensive. But who wants to go out looking for a restaurant in 100 degree heat?  Left there around 4:30 and started back to the metro station.  Stopped at Market Square and had a couple of drinks, then went down into the bowels of the metro system.  Right at rush hour (sigh).  But it went very smooth.  Our bus was at the metro station in College Park when we got there.  Another 40 minute trip in the bus and we were back home by 6:20 or so.  This trip should be called “Trains, Buses, and Taxis”.  Close to 100 today. 

Smithsonian National Museum of American History

Stradivarius violin dating back to the late 1600s

Old Post Office Building

Justice Department

Cherry Hill RV Resort, College Park, MD:  This morning I got up, showered, and got dressed while Mike was still sound asleep.  Sat outside reading my book and it was really pleasant out there.  Blue sky with a few wispy clouds and the cicadas were in full chorus.   Mike finally got up and stumbled outside.  Sat outside until it got too hot.  We pretty much decided to just hang out here and skip the fireworks in D.C.  But, I thought we could get a hotel room in D.C. and then pop in and out of the air conditioned comfort and still enjoy the festivities.  I was just going to take clean underwear and a clean shirt in my beach tote which would be no problem.  But Mike wanted to take a small suitcase, and I could picture us schlepping around D.C. in the heat getting to and from the hotel.  So, we decided to just stay here.  Went out for dinner and the temp was around 100.  Really uncomfortable.  So, we watched on TV.  I really feel for the people still without power in this heat.   

Air France Concorde
Smithsonian Air and Space Museum
Dulles International Airport

Sculpture Garden
National Gallery of Art

Cherry Hill RV Resort, College Park, MD:  Off to I-Hop for breakfast this morning and then headed out on the Beltway to Dulles International Airport and the satellite Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.  Again, no charge for the museum—just $15 to park.  Spent all afternoon in there.  Saw the Discovery shuttle and watched the IMAX movie, “Hubble.”  The Discovery shuttle flew several missions and the crew made repairs and improvements to this amazing telescope.  The movie was amazing.  We also saw the IMAX movie “Fighter Pilot” which was very good as well.  I bought a book from Col. Wolfgang W.E. Samuel, who emigrated to the U.S. from Germany at 16, didn’t speak English, and graduated from high school in Denver two years later.  Graduated from the U. of Colorado, spent 30 years in the Air Force, flew reconnaissance missions against the Soviet Union, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross three times and numerous Air Medals.  He wrote this book, “German Boy” about his life as a child during WWII.  Left at 5:00 to head back.  The temperature hovered between 97 and 100 on the drive back.  Took us over an hour, what with rush hour traffic.  The drive on the Beltway wasn’t bad though.  Actually, it’s kind of pretty—lush trees and all the noise abatement walls are covered with vines and other lush vegetation.

Smithsonian's satellite Air & Space Museum at Dulles Airport

SR-71A Blackbird
This plane still holds the world's air speed record.  They flew it to Washington from California in 1 hr. and 20 min.  The pilots actually wore space suits.

Space Shuttle Discovery

Space Shuttle Discovery

Gemini Space Capsule--Mike actually made all the titaniam plates for this capsule when he worked for McDonnell Douglas in St. Louis

Me and Wolfgang W. E. Samuel, the author of "German Boy"

Boeing B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay

Enola Gay

Cherry Hill RV Resort, College Park, MD:  Ventured into D.C. for the first time today.  Took the bus from our park, which is a regular city bus.  This bus was also an express, so we zipped right to the College Park metro station.  We loaded our metro card with funds and hopped on the train.  Trains are clean and fast, and the stations are modern and clean.  A great way to get down there.  We met an Aussie couple at the bus depot in our park who have been traveling all over the world for 9 years.  They’re traveling the US for two years.  Bought an RV in Florida and have been traveling around here since.  Don’t know what they did for a living, but they’re younger than us and have been everywhere.  We rode the train with them and then split up when we hit the street in D.C.  We had planned on going to the Air and Space Museum, but that went awry when we started walking around—in the opposite direction.  Walked down Constitution Avenue and I was interviewed by PBS for their PBS News Hour.  Should be on tonight.  Hope I don’t come off like a dumb blonde.  Truth be told, it’ll probably end up on the cutting room floor.  After that we continued to walk around and ended up in the Museum of Natural History.  Lots of crowds here, but the schools are out because of the heat and the fact that a lot of people are still without power.  All the museums here are free, and they’re air conditioned.  So, lots of people.  We got tickets for the IMAX 3-D movie, “To the Arctic”.  After that we walked around the museum and then back on the streets.  Walked over to the original Smithsonian.  Walked back up the Mall to our train station and stopped for a late lunch at a restaurant across the street from our station.  Back on the train and then the bus back to our park.  Hot again today.  Upper 90s I think, but low humidity. 

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden

Museum of Natural History

Hope Diamond--over 45 carrats
Museum of Natural History
Picture by Mike

Washington Monument
Picture by Mike

The original Smithsonian

The crypt of Smithson--founder of the Smithsonian

The Capitol

Cherry Hill RV Resort, College Park, MD:  Hot again today.  I sat outside reading my book for a while, but the heat drove me inside.  I feel for the millions still without power in this heat.  Went for a short walk.  This park is rated one of the best in the country.  It has some great amenities, but the sites are just so-so.  At least we back up to the woods.  Put a round roast in the oven and watched golf.  They’re playing not too far from us—over in Bethesda.  Roast beef, mashed potatoes and a vegetable for dinner.  Not a great day to have the oven going, but it tasted good.

The huge Prevost next to us--a young couple too.