Day 5: Another Day in DC 04/08/2009

Wednesday, day 5, found us riding the Metro again, after breakfast at Einstein Brothers. We walked along to see the White House. Ask Isabel who lives there and she squeals "Barackobama" as if his name were one word.

The rear of the White House.

We wanted to see the front of the WH, and as we walked around, we stepped into the Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum nearby.

This piece is called "Game Fish." Want to know why?

Cool, huh? (I set off a small alarm taking this picture. OOOPS!)

We eventually walked to the front of the White House to have a look.

Next up, we went to two buildings in one; connected by a walkway. The American Art Museum / National Portrait Gallery.

The Preamble, done as vanity plates for the 50 states. FUN!!




Say hello to Edith Wharton, as a child. (I have not read her Pulitzer winning "Age of Innocence," YET. It's on the list.)


Isabel stands next to "Barackobama."


On the second floor, we went to the permanent exhibit, "American Presidents." This is where all the presidential portraits that are not in the White House are kept. This portrait of President Bush, remember it? I saw it up close and personal. Every president was there. Each portrait has a brief bio about each President and the painter. It was educational and not boring. I read each and every one.

The most famous portrait of George Washington, the "Lansdowne" portrait (1796) by Gilbert Stewart was the main attraction.

Mr. Stuart's most well-known piece, "The Athenaeum" was also there. Mr. Stuart stopped working on it, and used it as a proof, to do other paintings. Oh, and it's the one on the dollar bill.

We headed up to the Lunder Conservation Center.

From the Smithsonian Website:

Lunder Conservation Center
The two museums share the conservation center, located on the third- and fourth-floor mezzanines. The center offers a unique, behind-the-scenes view through floor-to-ceiling glass walls of the techniques American Art and Portrait Gallery conservators use to examine, treat and preserve paintings, prints, drawings, photographs and other works of art. Ask about weekly behind-the-scenes tours and other special programs at the information desks.


David and I sat that one out while Jacob went around exploring the area.

We left DC via Metro back to Takoma Park, where we rested for about 45 minutes before heading out for dinner with my co-worker Barbara, her hubby Batt and their granddaughter Courtney. Thanks for buying dinner guys! We'll make it up to you next time you are down!

And thus ended Day 5.