Today we saw many of the papers associated with the drafting of the U.S. Constitution, and most of Thomas Jefferson’s personal library that helped shape much of the thinking behind that famous document. But the title of this post is also about the state of my mind and body. My personal constitution does not seem to be fully up to a perfect union. My feet are blistered, I’m scuffed and scraped and sore all over. Having slept in a different hotel for three nights in a row, and different states many times along our path thus far, my mind is getting fuzzy. We began today’s touring with a Capital Bikeshare ride to the Smithsonian “castle.”
8481 Cool Castle
The other time we were here, it was closed so we didn’t get to look inside. Even tho it’s an information center with some interactive exhibits for kids, I was curious about the interior design. Though nice it’s not up to the look of the outside, but now I know. And I still love these fanciful brick buildings. 🙂
8488 Brick Fancy
Then over to the awesome original Library of Congress building, built under budget and over specification with exceptional artistry added by the artisans who wanted to leave their mark on history.
8517 Two Guys
The two guys are reading by the light of torches symbolizing knowledge, one young learning for career and the other old learning for the pure joy of it. “Adult Ed,” I said to Anne, pointing at the old dude. “Lifelong Learning,” she replied gesturing at the pair.
After an inspiring tour and our own wander, we walked over to the home of the Supremes, and mingled with visitors from around the world, looking at yet more magnificent stone carving and taking photos of each other.
8543 Supreme Court View
Then back on the bikes for a glorious ride to the Jefferson Memorial, which unlike this photo was quite sharp and clear.
8554 Fuzzy Jefferson
Our memories of the remains of the day are sharp, as are pix on Anne’s camera, but this is after I dropped mine and found it doesn’t focus distant anymore. We visited the Vietnam Wall after dark, passed the White House one last time, then back to our latest hotel to prepare for a flight (hopefully) to New Haven, CT. Flying and our destination will both do much to restore my constitution. 🙂
John & Anne Wiley 
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