Airplanes, Electronics, and the Capital building

Hi Everyone!

Today we got up early, too early, for a tour of the Capital building.

The dome of the Capital building is under restoration.  It is made from 9 million pounds of cast iron, which has expanded and contracted with the weather for over 50 years, so there are hundreds of tiny holes that now need to be filled so that the dome can last for the next 50 years. Thankfully the visitor's center had a dome replica so you could see what the exterior and interior of the dome look like without the scaffolding.  

From there we went to the Library of Congress.  It is one of the most impressive buildings in DC.  I really loved the mosaic ceiling and the marble staircases.

The reading room is huge, and just as ornate as the rest of the building.  It is still used for research, although I don't know that I would get much research done in a space that beautiful. 

Dad and I went to the Air and Space museum and saw the airplane the Wright Brother's flew on their first successful flight. We also saw several items from the Apollo space missions; including a space suit.

We went back to the American History museum and saw exhibits on money and electricity. The Smithsonian has a $100,000 bill from the 1930's; they were only used by the banks, and haven't been used in many years.

We also saw an exhibit about the lightbulb and electricity. I really liked the vintage electronics, especially the toasters from the 1910's and 1920's. I'll be heading to London tomorrow evening, so I probably won't send out a post tomorrow. I don't want anyone to worry about me.