Yesterday began my long journey from the most isolated mid-size city in America (Boise, ID) to our nation’s capitol. This is my first time on the Potomac.

Traveling from Boise to D.C. means first stopping in SLC, then in to Chicago to change planes to get to D.C. Kudos to Southwest Airlines, with whom LGM has a long established relationship. SWA was on time or early every leg of the flight. Great job as always.

Midway airport kind of sucks. It was messy and noisy, and I had the worst piece of pizza there that I have ever had. What up, Chicago?! Dulles Airport in suburban Virginia is the exact opposite: clean, neat, quiet, and orderly. I am a big fan. However, Dulles, which is only 15 or 20 miles from Fairfax where I was headed, is actually a poor choice for travelers wanting to get to suburban Virginia. The only bus that leaves Dulles goes ALL THE WAY into D.C. before coming BACK to Virginia. In all, the bus ride was a 3.5 hour trip - the longest leg of my trip. Monday = taxi to the airport!

After the 14.5 hour trip to D.C. I was exhausted and slept in a bit. I still managed to get into D.C. before lunch, on Saturday. I can still recall my anticipation as I emerged from the Metro Rail line at the Smithsonian stop, placing me smack dab in the middle of the Mall. Awesome! I only had a few hours, and there is so much to see, so I started with the museums since they close at 5:30.

“The Smithsonian” is actually 14 museums housed around the mall, and includes everything from the National Art Gallery, the Space and Flight Museum, Museum of Natural History, the Newseum, the Native American Museum, and the Museum of American History just to name a few.

I started my day at the National Art Gallery. First things first, though. EVERYTHING in D.C. is under construction or being renovated. EVERYTHING. A large portion of the galleries in the National Gallery were closed off. It is still an awesome place. My faves of course are the Art History 101 things. I am no art expert, but can at least get through the basics. I have developed a real affinity for the work of Paul Gauguin, so I took lots of shots of the Gaugin room:

This is Gauguin’s “Breton Girls Dancing” done in 1888 prior to his departure to Tahiti. I remember seeing the Pieta in Rome WAY back in 1995, and it absolutely took my breath away. Really it brought tears to my eyes. “Breton Girls” did the same. It is simply an unbelievable experience to stand in front of this work.

I then had some girls take this lousy picture of me standing next to one of Gauguin’s works done in Tahiti (obviously) in 1892. This piece was donated to the National Art Gallery by none other than Idaho’s Harriman family, the founders and developers of Sun Valley.

Leaving the Gallery left me with a real sense of longing. It was hard to turn and walk away from Van Dyk, Gauguin, Monet, Giotto and all the rest. When would I see them again?

I lit out for the Capitol Building (you need tickets for a tour), and the Library of Congress. The Capitol, like everything else in D.C. is being renovated. The grounds looked terrible. I chose to go the free LOC. The tour was unremarkable, really. You can’t see anything there. The stacks are completely off limits to everyone except for staff. So, you get to walk through the lobby and then see a few exhibits they have thrown up. They did have the collection of Thomas Jefferson on display. Congress bought Jefferson’s personal library of almost 6,500 books for $23,950 in 1815. The lousy Brits had burned all our books when they set fire to D.C. (two buildings) during the war of 1812. Not long after getting Jefferson’s books, the LOC burned again, and we lost 2/3 of Jefferson’s collection. Lame. OH - - - FACT: The Library of Congress has the largest collection of pornography (pr0n) in the world by virtue of the fact that they have two of everything ever published. Below, a great example of their porn collection: the fountain in front of the library:

After the library I really only had time for one more visit. I have to admit, I really didn’t care about the Space and Flight Museum, the American History Museum was closed for remodel, the Newseum was too far away, and the Natural History Museum was just a bit to much to see in the hour or so I had left. So i made my way to the new Native American Museum. It featured some first rate exhibits, a great cafe with native foods, and is a beautiful edifice:

We are also reminded that it was more than just smallpox blankets that took out the Indians:

From there I wandered through the National Sculpture Garden:

On my way to the Navy Memorial on Pennsylvania Ave. There, I got some folks to take a photo of me with the lone sailor:

The Navy Monument was probably the most moving moment for me of the day - and that was in a day filled with anticipation, beauty, and rare treasures. Finished at the Navy Memorial and being on Pennsylvania Ave., you know where I was headed next.