#93 Smithsonian Castle & Museums 5-8-09

This is the Smithsonian Castle. It was donated by a man who had never been to the U.S. The gardens are beautiful, manicured and sculptured. The visitor center is inside the castle and there is an entire room with displays inside that has samples of what is in each of the many museums.

We went to the museum of Natural History. We were greeted by a full size elephant!

We both wasted no time getting upstairs to see the Hope Diamond. It is in a very brightly lit case, so the color is washed out in this photo. But it is really a beautiful necklace. A deep blue square cut diamond, surrounded by white diamonds and hung on a diamond necklace. Mmmmm nice.

This is just one display of a huge quartz and other mineral displays. Really beautiful. This one is pink. Looks orange in the photo.

Any natural history museum has to have some dinosaur bones. We took this picture from upstairs. These are really big bones.

The next museum we went to had to do with Travel. All kinds of travel.

The first exhibit was trains. This is an old steam train. Notice all the wood used in building it.

Engine #1401. A newer version of the train.

Waiting in the train station!

The first of the motorcycles. Long handles.

Below is a 1941 Indian.

Below is a 1942 Harley.

The 1950’s and the Woody station wagon. The toy car is a Kidillac.

And last but not least is one of the first RV’s Ah, home sweet home on the road.