Space Shuttle: Discovery

Linda and I visited the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, DC, today (she blipped a Sumatran tiger) then we drove over to the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia - companion museum to the National Air and Space Museum on the National Mall in downtown Washington. The NASP Museums are places I've wanted to visit for ages. So much to see and it did not disappoint. The Discovery was a highlight, of course. A few months earlier and it would have been the Enterprise but it has since been moved to New York City. It would have been cool to have it after yesterday's blip of the TV Enterprise. Oh, well. The Enola Gay was there, and an SR-71 Blackbird, and lots of space memorabilia, and other gorgeous and wonderful vintage aircraft. Or is that aeroplanes? At the right of the spacecraft is the Canadarm remote manipulator system.

It was deliciously cool inside - way better than the oppressive heat of walking through the zoo. We saw some tigers and lions and several simians, an elephant, some jellyfish, a cheetah, and much more.

Spend some time going over my research as well this weekend. Finishing up at AIP tomorrow then off to the coast for some beach time (I hope). I need the break!