WASHINGTON DC part 2 - UPDATED

14 March 2013: we arrived in Washington DC area to find it unseasonably cold. The temperatures ten degrees lower than they normally should be; we hunkered down to stay warm, catch up, and relax. We ventured out occasionally: 

The Smithsonian's National Museum of American Indians

 The display cases are chock full of wonderful artifacts, so you can take it all in at once. 

 The Museum is fairly new, and is located next to the famous Aero/Space Museum. 

Well worth a visit.

We also visited the Museum of American History, where Julia Child's kitchen was a big draw.
We saw the new display of the large flag that inspired Francis Scott Key's Star Spangled Banner.

A complex of museums are accessible from this rotunda by the Smithsonian "castle" Visitors' Center.

We were fortunate to be in Washington DC for the lengthy Cherry Blossom Festival, 

and 30 March was kite flying on the national mall!

We stayed an extra week after what was said to be peak time for the cherry blossoms, 

but very few blossoms were out. Note the scaffolding around the Washington Monument.

Martin Luther King Memorial

We toured the Roosevelt Memorial

Thom at the busy Jefferson Memorial. Everywhere was busy!

It may not be in full bloom around the basin...

but we found Spring in the National Museum of Art!

Great Falls of the Potomac River

The usually wide river surges through the narrow gauge. 

Fairfax County Fire and Rescue practice their skills.

We say goodbye to our grand little niece...

and our grand nephew (center) who is learning Lacrosse.