Hike for Culture?!

We missed the first Coaches' hike, but that doesn't mean we've been slackers. Lori and I visited Washington DC last week and trekked around museums and the Mall. In addition to wonderful exhibits, the Smithsonian helped us with endurance and stair work. Needless to say, 4 full days in DC are not enough. We needed at least another 10 days to do and see everything....perhaps another trip in November?? The National Portrait Gallery was closed for renovation until July 2006, so a return trip in the near future is a definite must. So much history, so little time?

One of the highlights of the trip was a visit to the Holocaust Museum. Words cannot describe the Holocaust, but the museum's permanent collection captured the insanity and horror of the times.

Being in DC this time made me appreciate American history more. In the past, it never captured my interest as much as European Renaissance or Chinese history. However, I have to admit seeing the Hans Holbein painting of Edward VI as an infant, hanging in the National Gallery was way too cool! Also, the portrait of Robert Devereaux, Earl of Essex was there as well. For those Anglophiles, Devereaux was the stepson of Robert Dudley (Elizabeth I's boy toy) , who literally lost his head when he got a bit uppity with the good Queen Bess.

Ok, enough with the history lesson.