I have an upcoming trip to DC with my son...

Parts of the Mall are always cordoned off in preparation for or recovery after some big event. Or currently, for construction of the African-American museum.

 

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@Pere , I agree. The reflecting pool is still drained for the winter.

My observations were about the general maintenance of the area. Piles and piles of leaves from last fall, WWII could use a good power wash, restrooms need a little TLC. This area is supposed to be a show case of D.C. and our country. IMO, it should be maintained like Augusta National! Spend the money and keep it up.

 

@jpcienkus thanks man! Sounds like you and I have some favs in common. I felt the same way about the Korean War memorial. The Lincoln Memorial is also one of my favorites. Do you know about the typo that had to be fixed in his second inaugural address. I hope to spend more time at the memorial. Last time I was there it was a whirlwind and all we got to do was see the main memorial and take pics. Won't eat any hotdogs or sausages...thanks for the warning there, and man I love me a good dog or brat. THe American History Museum is where I definitely want to spend a lot of time. I still do want to see that money display. I think its just cool. Thanks for the notes.

Good on you for taking the kids there. I need to do the same thing where there's more time to spend where we want it. I hope to have time to do the BEP as well...one thing I'm looking for is that I've been told that there is a quarter exchange at the mint branch in DC. I commented on a FB post a while back for the US Mint, Cant remember what it was, but I said I'd be in DC and whomever was responsible for the FB replies, said there was a quarter exchange there, but I neglected to write the details down. I'm not sure if that's at the BEP or around the BEP, but if you do find that dude, for sure let me know.

 

@phankins11 , no I didn't know about the typo. I did spend the time to read his 2nd innaugural speech. It was great. I also read the Gettysburg address on the opposite wall. I did not explore beneath the memorial as I didn't have the time. The statue of Lincoln is awesome. It's well proportioned and detailed. The arms/legs of the chair reminded me of the "fasces" on the reverse of the mercury dime. At first I thought they might be book bindings, but upon closer examination, I thought they were closer to the fasces.

At the Museum of US History, I really enjoyed the display about power generation. My company supplies materials that are used for generators, electric motors and transformers. It was cool to see the old equipment. I spent 18 years working in the automotive industry (10 at GM and 8 at a Japanese company), so the transportation section was also very cool.

I'd like to plan a holiday to go back and spend 1 full day at each of the Smithsonian buildings. This trip was great, but it was for business and my time was not my own.

 

Oh, the Bureau of Printing and Engraving is also right there in the mall. I didn't stop by nor do I know anything about tours, etc...for the building.

 

So in the first section of his Second address the word FUTURE was "chiseled" as EURTURE, they had to fill in the lower leg of the E to change it to an F but the mistake is still very noticeable. Here's a pic...

 

A wonderful way to pass time and get small and inexpensive souvenirs that will last forever is to collect all the elongated coins that these places have to offer.

You can find a list of all the penny pressing machines here: http://www.pennycollector.com/AreaList.aspx

And specifically for Washington DC here:
http://www.pennycollector.com/Locations.aspx?area=49

And, if you decide to go on a "squishing mission", I suggest you prepare yourself with lots & lots of Quarters and pre-1982 Copper Cents (they come out much better than "zincers" do).

What do you think?

 

Great idea odedpaz. I will add that to the list. Thanks for the links. I guess I'll go back through the layer of coppers I put in the change jar a few months ago

 

Where was this bit of information last week!!!! Sheesh. <<<sarcasm>>>

 

Stop off in Annapolis and I'll take you to John Paul Jones tomb. It's in the basement or cript in the Chapel . You are not allowed to take pictures or I would post one.
One thing about living here you never run out of places to see or go. No matter your interest .
And members Who ever in the area needing information pm me.

 

@Paddy54 , I'm going to take you up on that next time I'm in the area!

The John Paul Jones story was cool and the statue as well, but it was a little sad to see it sitting on that little island between the streets. I'm sure it doesn't get the traffic it deserves. The fact he was the first naval officer to get a big bad British war ship to surrender is worthy of the statue.

 

I don't live far from D.C. either and being able to go to the nations capitol is a treat. Especially in the springtime when the cherry blossoms bloom.

 

When I was a teenager I went to Washington, and the hot dog carts were amazing. I couldn't eat enough chili dogs. When I went back with my family a few years ago I was extremely disappointed with the food trucks, what a let down! It was an amazing experience though that I was glad to have with my family.

 

No problem just pm me I'll give you my number and I'll give ya the two cent tour. Do you know that the mast of the USS Maine is in Annapolis ? You can touch it. Also on the point of the Severn river is a brass vessel . Inside it...it holds water from all the oceans in the world.

 

very cool.

 

The US sent out a fleet of nuclear subs to gather water from every ocean,and sea. They brought it back and mixed them all together . The vessel stands on the USNA grounds at the point. Right down the sea wall it the mast of the Maine. Brought back from Havana harbor . The museum on the academy grounds is unreal. I love going there.

 

In Baltimore on Pratt st. Is really where the Civil war started. Yeah I know Fort Sumpter S.C. is where history books say. However the Pratt St. riots were truly the first casualties of the war. Right outside where the coin show was held last week.

 

Another over looked place is in a DC neighborhood . Battleground National Cemetery . It's right down the street from Walter Reed Hospital . This is where 40 some soldiers are buried. And where Lincoln came out with his wife and surgeon to watch the battle. While Union troops defended Washington from being out flanked by Confederate troops.
During the battle Lincoln ' s doctor was shot and died next to the president and his wife.
This could of been a major victory for the south had Lincoln been killed that day. As it did have a major role as Lincoln ' s new doctor was young. And since Booths shot to his head did not kill him right away. Maybe had his surgeon not been killed watching the battle he could of made a difference .

 

Not likely. The slug from Booth's gun entered below the left ear, traveled diagonally across his head through his brain (Probably accompanied by plenty of skull fragments) and stopped behind his right eye. most of his higher brain function was probably destroyed and the only reason he lasted as long as he did was his brain stem kept up the autonomous functions of heart and respiration. He was dead right after the shot was fired, his body just hadn't stopped yet.

 

Sorry, double post. My internet connection has been flaky all day.