Day 4 - Aching calves

My sister's birthday started with toasted bagels & cream cheese and a Keurig coffee. We were feeling a bit lazy this morning (due to aching calves) so missed the morning Metro rush.

Our first stop was the National Museum of Women in the Arts, the only museum in the world that is solely dedicated to the artistic achievements of women. It is housed in a beautiful Renaissance Revival building that previously served as a Masonic Temple. I was surprised to find a lovely sculpture by Sarah Bernhardt,  having no idea that she was an accomplished sculptor.

By Sarah Bernhardt

The two dimensional pieces were interesting but I was drawn to the sculptures.

Four seated Figures by Magdalena Abakanowicz

Mary Magdalene by Kiki Smith

After our tour of this museum we wandered past a line of 14 food trucks trying to decide on our choice of lunch. Serenaded by a street musician, we had a delicious lunch outdoors while watching office workers sharing their lunch hour in the sun.

The Capital Bike Share program is very successful here with well located stations to pick up/drop off the bikes. We talked with one fellow who pays $75/ year for all of his city transportation.

Next stop was the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery. The building and the collection were equally incredible. The third floor mezzanine areas include paintings & sculptures of famous entertainers in the BRAVO wing. Two highlights were a painting of Ethel Merman and a sculpture of Bob Hope.

Ethel Merman

Bob Hope

A sculpture of Casey Stengel stands proud in the CHAMPIONS wing alongside a huge painting of the 1919 fight between Jack Dempsey and Jess Willard. 

We both fell in love with Alice Neel's self portrait at age 80 years. 

Wandered through the Luce Foundation storage area. The attendant explained that only 3 percent of the National collection is on exhibit. Another 7 percent is available to view in storage areas. They provide tea and coffee (free) in a small cafeteria space where we sat amid sculptures, rested our aching calves and pondered what to see next. It was a very welcome respite. 

There were too many highlights to exhibit but here are a few.

Needing outdoor space, we finally left the confines of the Museum to walk toward the White House. Unfortunately Michelle must have forgotten to advise the guards about our invitation for afternoon tea. We got no closer than the rest of the crowd!!

From the White House we walked another 546 miles back to our hotel where we collapsed on the beds and attempted to stretch our extremely aching calves! Ouch! Wine, cheese and salad in our room for dinner tonight!!