The Originals

Having noticed that the GPS/Radio/Clock/etc, etc, unit in our Jeep was again malfunctioning, I called my friend TJ at Darcars Chrysler, Dodge, Ram, Jeep in Silver Spring, MD, and made an appointment to take it to the shop this morning. TJ is one of those service writers we all wish we could have, since she knows how to put the customer at ease and expedite the repair process. After a short chat with TJ and Dave, the electronics tech, it was decided to replace the entire dash unit with a new one. Since we have had three instances of problems with it, I had to agree that it was about time to get some new hardware.

We returned home about one o'clock, had a quick sandwich, and took off for DC again. We knew that most of the museums close at about five, but we thought we'd try to sneak one in anyway. An hour ride back to Archives Station got us to within a block of the National Archives building.

Can you say twenty-five foot tall Crepe Myrtles?

No photography is allowed anywhere in the building, but if you can, please put this museum on your list of to-do's in DC. In the David M Rubenstein Garllery, a permanent exhibit the explores Americans' debates about the rights and freedoms embodied in our nations's founding documents. The feature display is an original 1297 Magna Carta, one of only four in existence. In the Public Vaults Exhibition, visitors can venture "into the stacks" at the Archives and explore original records on a selected variety of topics. The Lawrence F. O'Brien Gallery is presently showcasing "Spirited Republic", an exhibit about Alcohol in American History. The central theme here is the conflict between those who enjoyed a drink (some of us have enjoyed a lot of drinks), and the opposite view of Americans who fear that alcohol causes harm to society and to individuals. A large part of this exhibit revolves around the 18th and 21st amendments that first banned the production and sale of liquor and then repealed that amendment years later.

The Rotunda houses the Charters of Freedom: The Declaration of Independence, the Constitution of the United States, and the Bill of Rights. This low-lit, cool area is a shrine to the most important documents in our country's history. Built with high, 70 foot high domed ceilings and 40-foot-tall bronze doors, the Rotunda has a spiritual, reverential feel about it. Approximately 50 people at a time are allowed to enter the Rotunda to view the documents, which are faded and nearly impossible to read, but are nevertheless awesome to view. The parchments are now kept in specially sealed encasements containing the inert gas Argon with a controlled amount of humidity to keep the parchment flexible.
It was getting close to the 5:30 pm closing time, so we made our way to the exit and headed back to Cherry Hill Park.

As we were enjoying the evening, chatting with the neighbors and such, a thunderstorm blew through, drenching the area. Of course, 10 minutes later, it was all over!

It was kinda cool sitting outside under the awning and watching the storm move through. As I write this, about 8:30 local time, two more t-storms have gone through, and we're happy we're safe and dry inside!