SUTTON Travels

15 November 2017

National Postal Museum Smithsonian

The Smithsonian's National Postal Museum is worth at least a couple of hours of your time.

You will learn the history of the U S postal service through stories, videos, objects, and of course, stamps.

Some rare stamps are featured in the stamp exhibit

One exhibit includes cases of mail fraud and robberies

There are activities for children. And if you wish to spend a longer time, you can read the storyboards in each exhibit.

Fees- no entry fee

Security- there is a security screening

Tours are available at no charge.

Shopping- there is a museum store with reasonable prices

Location- 2 Massachusetts Ave. NE Washington DC

Metro- we used Union Station, which has the advantage of lots of places to eat at reasonable prices

The website is informative postalmuseum.si.edu

PLACES TO VISIT IN WASHINGTON DC

Here’s a few places to see along with some photos and links to information.

United States Capitol

Monuments and Memorials

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

Museums

American History

Air and Space Museum

Natural History Museum

Postal Museum

National Art Gallery

National Postal Museum

Holocaust Museum

National Museum of the American Indian

National Museum of African American History and Culture

And here’s my webpage www.suttong.com

And some books I have published

My Travel Blog

My YouTube Travel Site

Smithsonian's National Zoo

Panda National Zoo / Geoff W. Sutton 2017

The Smithsonian's National Zoo is famous for its Pandas. The zoo is worth a day's visit to enjoy a walk around a beautiful wooded park. People of all ages will find something of interest.

Fees- there is no charge to enter the zoo. There is a fee for some attractions

Food service- there are several places to purchase food and drink. It is expensive compared to nearby restaurants. You can bring in food and drink.

Photography is permitted but the lighting and glass enclosures make some shots difficult.

Parking- limited but available at the park for a fee

Metro- we got off at the Woodley Park metro stop and walked the short distance to the zoo.

Website- you will find helpful information on the web nationalzoo.si.edu

My website Geoffrey W. Sutton

PLACES TO VISIT IN WASHINGTON DC

Here’s a few places to see along with some photos and links to information.

United States Capitol

Monuments and Memorials

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

Museums

American History

Air and Space Museum

Natural History Museum

Postal Museum

National Art Gallery

National Postal Museum

Holocaust Museum

National Museum of the American Indian

National Museum of African American History and Culture

And here’s my webpage www.suttong.com

And some books I have published

My Travel Blog

My YouTube Travel Site

United States Botanic Garden

U S Botanic Garden / Geoff W. Sutton 2017

The U S Botanic Garden in Washington DC is a great stop for one or several hours. We went on a cold gray day in November--a good place to warm up in beautiful surrounds. And there is no admission fee.

The conservatory is organized by garden themes.

You can take a free tour or follow your own path on provided maps. There are also outside areas.

Food service- there are no dining facilities but there are restaurants nearby- on 3rd street and in nearby museums.

Photography is permitted- see the website for policies.

Shops- there is no gift shop

Website- you can find helpful information at usbg.gov

PLACES TO VISIT IN WASHINGTON DC

Here’s a few places to see along with some photos and links to information.

United States Capitol

Monuments and Memorials

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

Museums

American History

Air and Space Museum

Natural History Museum

Postal Museum

National Art Gallery

National Postal Museum

Holocaust Museum

National Museum of the American Indian

National Museum of African American History and Culture

And here’s my webpage www.suttong.com

And some books I have published

My Travel Blog

My YouTube Travel Site

Library of Congress

Library of Congress / Geoff W. Sutton 2017

The Library of Congress is more than a collection of books and papers. Walk inside and you will see examples of art and architechture worth an hour or so of your time in DC.

Ceiling above main entry

You will also find exhibits such as a Gutenberg Bible, the Jefferson Library, and a special exhibit of WW I posters and news sketches from famous trials.

Gutenberg Bible

War Poster

Library tours are available.

Library Tour

See the website for more details loc.gov

PLACES TO VISIT IN WASHINGTON DC

Here’s a few places to see along with some photos and links to information.

United States Capitol

Monuments and Memorials

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

Museums

American History

Air and Space Museum

Natural History Museum

Postal Museum

National Art Gallery

National Postal Museum

Holocaust Museum

National Museum of the American Indian

National Museum of African American History and Culture

And here’s my webpage www.suttong.com

And some books I have published

My Travel Blog

My YouTube Travel Site

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum

My wife and I have visited the museum twice and both times we found the permanent exhibit a moving experience that teaches the lessons of extreme hate, violence, and genocide with a view to encouraging actions that say "Never Again."

CAUTION: SOME IMAGES MAY BE DISTURBING

Bunks in Prison Camps

The permanent exhibit takes visitors on a solemn tour of the rise of extreme nationalism in Germany, which led to violent attacks, enslavement in camps, and eventually a program of mass killing aimed at exterminating entire groups of people--especially Jews.

Entering Gas Chamber

Visitors will encounter general historical narratives, personal stories, artifacts, photographs, and videos that not only tell the story of hate and death but also celebrate survivors, liberators, and the courage of those who risked their lives to save others.

Eisenhower Visits a Camp

You recevive one of hundreds of personal stories when you begin the tour. Each story tells of a woman or man who either survived or died during the holocaust.

Focusing on an Individual Life

The museum is well organized. Maps are available online and onsite. Materials are available in several languages.

The staff are friendly and helpful.

Food services are available.

There is a security check.

Check online for hours and more details, including special exhibits: ushmm.org

PLACES TO VISIT IN WASHINGTON DC

Here’s a few places to see along with some photos and links to information.

United States Capitol

Monuments and Memorials

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

Museums

American History

Air and Space Museum

Natural History Museum

Postal Museum

National Art Gallery

National Postal Museum

Holocaust Museum

National Museum of the American Indian

National Museum of African American History and Culture

And here’s my webpage www.suttong.com

And some books I have published

My Travel Blog

My YouTube Travel Site

14 November 2017

Lincoln Memorial

Lincoln Memorial / Geoff W. Sutton 2017

The Lincoln Memorial was dedicated in 1922 and is part of the National Park Service (nps). It is located on the west end of the National Mall.

After our visit, we walked north to the Foggy Bottom metro station at 23rd and I streets, NW.

PLACES TO VISIT IN WASHINGTON DC

Here’s a few places to see along with some photos and links to information.

United States Capitol

Monuments and Memorials

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial

Museums

American History

Air and Space Museum

Natural History Museum

Postal Museum

National Art Gallery

National Postal Museum

Holocaust Museum

National Museum of the American Indian

National Museum of African American History and Culture

And here’s my webpage www.suttong.com

And some books I have published

My Travel Blog

My YouTube Travel Site

Washington Monument

Washington Monument / Geoff W. Sutton 2017

The Washington Monument stands tall. I have seen it many times since the 1960s. Currently (2017) it is closed for work on the elevator and will reopen in 2019.

Work began 4 July 1848 but was not completed until 1884 when it was the world's tallest building according to the National Park Service (nps.gov). Past and future presidents attended the cornerstone event.

An earthquake at 1:51 p.m. on 23 August, 2011 ocurred nearby, which damaged the monument. Visitors were shaken inside but all were safe.