Washington, D. C.

 On the way home we stopped to see family in the D.C. area.  Everyone knows there are wonderful things to see here.  We only had a short time but happened to be close to The Manassas Battlefield National Park so we took a look. By the way, as usual, the National Park rangers/docents were excellent and at the visitor center was a 45 minute movie (very professional) explaining the two battles and how they were relevant in the larger conflict.

In case you forgot, the First Battle of Bull Run (Union name) was fought at Manassas (Confederate name) April 15th, 1861; one of the first battles after the Ft. Sumpter takeover.  Union Forces, led by Gen. McDowell, wanted to secure an important railroad junction that would impair the South's ability to supply Richmond.  Bystanders from D.C. came out to watch the battle, which they thought would basically end the war.  Surprise, surprise, the Confederates, led by Gen P.G.T. Beauregard and Gen. Joseph Johnston, with support from Gen. Stonewall Jackson, prevailed.  The Union, nursing their dead and wounded,  recognized that this would not be a simple, short war.

A year later, much more battle tested forces met for a second time, Aug 29-30, 1862.  Again the South prevailed, this time led by Gen. Robert E. Lee, assisted nobly by Gen. Stonewall Jackson, vs. the Union forces led by Gen Pope.  Casualties this time much greater, this battle encouraged Lee to move to Antietam and then Gettysburg.  Stonewall Jackson got his nickname at these battles and, rightfully so, a statue has been erected on the battlefield.



Zoom in to read a little more about Jackson.

A tribute as to how he got his nickname.


Well, you all know the Smithsonian Air/Space Museum in D.C.  A few years ago, a billionaire contributed $60 million, and along with other corporate and private donors, built the Udvar-Hazy Center, a Smithsonian Air/Space Museum annex very near Dulles airport.  The building is quite spectacular, with 120 aircraft/140 spacecraft exhibits, from early aviation to the Mars Rover.  Highlights include the SR-71 Blackbird (reconnaissance), the Discovery Space Shuttle, the B-29 Enola Gay (dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima), a French Concorde.  Admission is free, although there is a charge for the IMAX theater, the simulator and the virtual reality demonstrator.  You could easily spend many hours here.


You have to zoom in to read the details of the SR-71, but suffice it to say it was the premier reconnaissance aircraft in the Cold War and once flew from LA to D.C in 1 hour, 4 minutes.




A little easier to read, thought this satellite tracking satellite was pretty neat.  Amazing what man has been able to do with aircraft and spacecraft.  

Highly recommend both the National Park and the A/S Museum if you get up this way.


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