Washington DC – The Hall Family

Thursday, August, 17th 2023

Today we drove into Washington DC and did a little exploring. We started out at the base of the Washington Monument at the ‘Lodge’ where we got a little information and Q&A.

National Museum of Natural History

We then moved on to the National Museum of Natural History. After going through Security we got a map and some information form the front desk. The very nice lady at the desk offered to take a family picture of us in front of the Elephant.

The started in the Fossil Hall. Sidney is going though a Dinosaur phase so he had lots of things to look at and be very excited about. One of the more interesting balance that mama and papa have been trying to navigate as homeschool parents is teaching the difference between the creation story in the bible and the evolutionary theory.

We then moved on to the Sealife Hall. After looking around, it was time for lunch. We went the Atrium Cafe. The food was okay, but a bit on the expensive side.

We then went and looked at the Insect Zoo. What most people do not know is that papa loves the world of bugs.

There was a very interesting exhibit about light pollution and how it effects the world around us. What are you doing to minimize light-pollution in your life and home?

We then moved onto mama’s world of interest. The Gem and Minerals Exhibit

We finally finished in the Mammal Hall. It was actually smaller with less information then expected compared to the other exhibits in the museum.

The bottom line is that we need many days in Washington DC to really explore.

More Photos from the National Museum of Natural History

A surprise

We then returned to we found a parking citation on the truck. To help with a little context. We drive a big truck and Richard has a Washington State Permanent Disabled Parking Pass and has some medical equipment that we need to have with us accessible in about 15 or so minutes in an emergency. A couple days before papa called the City of Washington DC and talked with a ADA Coordinator to get information about where and how to park. When we found the citation we called the Parking Enforcement Department and found out that the ADA Coordinator gave us 3 year old advice that is no longer valid. Stay tuned, we have a virtual hearing in November.

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial and driving around town

On the way out of town we drove by the Jefferson Memorial but there was no parking close enough for the time we had left so we moved on to the President Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial. It was a nice little walk and Richard walked all the way to the end, before being carried back to the Visitor’s center.