I started at the African American Museum, walked to the Tidal Basin, took in the US Holocaust Memorial Museum then ended at the National Museum of the American Indian. There are many reports from our nation’s capital that are disconcerting. Let me assure you that diversity, equity, & inclusion are alive and well. It is not unAmerican to be embarrassed & ashamed that our forefathers enslaved good, decent human beings for hundreds of years. The African American Museum is a testament to the resiliency of people thwarted at every turn, who rise above the fray, and who continue to strive for better & more despite the systems still working against them. The museum was FULL of young people. My hope is in them.
Along the Tidal Basin I DID find a few cherry trees still in full bloom. So. I can say I saw (enjoyed!) cherry blossoms in DC and check that off my list. At the holocaust museum it was disturbing to realize when Americans in positions of power knew what was going on & their lack of action—at the very least allowing refugees (which remained a 3 year waiting list)—was appalling. There were numerous references to Mauthausen Concentration Camp which I visited when in Austria a few years ago. I’m of the opinion that every person should experience that nightmare, if for no other reason than to be an advocate of no, never again. It astounds me that a Jewish nation, who knows such atrocities, would afflict the same on another group of human beings. God help our politicians who seem to choose war over peace every time.
I’ll need to revisit the American Indian museum next visit. Only completed 1/4 floors before I needed to meet back with the group. Day two started with a visit to the US Botanic Gardens. Most of the outside exhibits were closed—probably spring planting. Plenty of beauty inside. We savored a few minutes of good food & fellowship on The Wharf before an afternoon visit to The Library of Congress. What a beautiful building.
In Philadelphia we began our visit at the Museum of the American Revolution—such a well done museum. Reminded how fundamental to our country’s founding was the notion that we did not want to be ruled by a king. Swung by the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Ben Franklin museum & Campo’s for a Philly cheese sandwich. On to the audio drive through Valley Forge.
Thoroughly enjoyed driving through the rolling hills of Pennsylvania Dutch Country with their old farms/barns & welcoming single candles in the windows. We saw rusty remnants of Bethlehem Steel as we passed through Bethlehem, PA on the way to the Houdini Museum & magic show in Scranton, PA. What a hoot. Dorothy Dietrich, the aging First Lady of Magic, regaled us with Houdini stories & memorabilia for 2.5 hours(!) before performing a kitschy magic show in which Debye then Greg then I participated. It was more than we bargained for…but we all had a good time. Drove by Biden’s boyhood home before hunting for our nighttime spot.
Because we are going with the flow, we have no reservations. The farther north we travel, the fewer campgrounds we are finding open. Shady Rest was a welcome find although it was 7ish before we got parked. Later than we prefer but thankful for a place with hookups. Woke to SNOW. Oh. Boy. Looks like a cold front moved through and is going to leave us in some frigid temps for a few days.
We are a week out. Many folks expressed doubts about 4 adults in a small space for 4 weeks. No one is dead & we’re all still talking so let’s call that a win!
No comments:
Post a Comment