Difficult Run, Great Falls, Virginia (video)

Few people know about Difficult Run, one of the most scenic spots in Great Falls, Virginia. Passing under Georgetown Pike, Difficult Run speeds through a steep gorge with waterfalls reaching the Potomac River with panoramic views at the mouth of Difficult Run. I happen to love it - this short film is my humble attempt to show this enchanting place to those who do not know it. Nov. 11, 2012

National Zoo (Washington, DC, USA) - Part I, Arriving to the Park

The Smithsonian National Zoological Park, also known as the National Zoo or simply the Zoo, is one of the oldest zoological parks in the United States founded in 1889 by an Act of Congress. As it follows from the name of the Park it is a part of the Smithsonian Institution with the mission to "provide leadership in animal care, science, education, sustainability, and visitor experience." July 19, 2011

National Zoo (Washington, DC, USA) - Part II, Exploring the Park

Personally, I think there is something barbaric about all zoological parks where animals are kept in captivity and shown to people for their enjoyment. Do not get me wrong - I am not implying at all that the Smithsonian National Zoological Park is somehow involved in exploiting animals to excite crowds. Quite the opposite, the National Zoo is rather successful in fulfilling its mission to provide leadership in animal care, science, education, sustainability, and visitor experience. But this very success creates some interesting dilemmas. July 19, 2011

Kings Dominion Park, Part I: Arriving to Kings Dominion

If you have never visited Kings Dominion amusement in Doswell, Virginia, this photo gallery can help you get better idea what you can find in the park. I am talking about all parts of it - rides, attractions, shopping, dining as well as its environment and logistics. Keep in mind that the park is big; it is located on 400 acres with endless entertainment for the entire family. Our first part of photo galleries dedicated to Kings Dominion is about things you will see when you first come to the park: parking lot, entrance, International Street. Other Kings Dominion pages:

1. Arriving to Kings Dominion (current page)
2. Inside Kings Dominion Park
3. Kings Dominion Park - Paradise for Kids
4. Big Guns of Kings Dominion Park
5. Kings Dominion for Everybody
June 27, 2011

Kings Dominion Park, Part II: Inside Kings Dominion Park

In this part of our pages dedicated to Kings Dominion amusement park (Virginia, USA), we will try to focus on the environment of park itself. You will see that the park can offer much more than just rides - it is more like a small planet you are about to explore. Other Kings Dominion pages:

1. Arriving to Kings Dominion
2. Inside Kings Dominion Park (current page)
3. Kings Dominion Park - Paradise for Kids
4. Big Guns of Kings Dominion Park
5. Kings Dominion for Everybody
June 27, 2011

Kings Dominion Park, Part III: Kings Dominion Park - Paradise for Kids

The original park opened in 1975 did not focus very much on kids. In 1997 the new Kidzville section of the park was built up around the original Scooby Doo ride proving that kids and kids entertainment are taken very serious by the current management of the park. With this part of our gallery we wanted to give you an idea of how you can entertain your kids you have brought them to the park.

Other Kings Dominion pages:
1. Arriving to Kings Dominion
2. Inside Kings Dominion Park
3. Kings Dominion Park - Paradise for Kids (current page)
4. Big Guns of Kings Dominion Park
5. Kings Dominion for Everybody
June 27, 2011

Kings Dominion Park, Part IV: Big Guns of Kings Dominion Park

Not a secret, some people come to Kings Dominion park mostly for the sake of a thrill from various adventurous rides offered. In fact, they associate amusement parks mostly with such rides rating their experience according to the amount of the adrenaline they managed to pump into their blood. But even if this is not true, most intensive rides are always special at parks like Kings Dominion. Consequently, it would be only fair to dedicate a separate page describing high thrill rides at Kings Dominion.

Other Kings Dominion pages:
1. Arriving to Kings Dominion
2. Inside Kings Dominion Park
3. Kings Dominion Park - Paradise for Kids
4. Big Guns of Kings Dominion Park
5. Kings Dominion for Everybody
June 27, 2011

Kings Dominion Park, Part V: Kings Dominion for Everybody

Previously, we mentioned that Kings Dominion has a lot to offer to kids. However, kids, especially, little ones, do not come to the park along. In this last part of our gallery we want to show that entire families with moms and dads and their children are very welcome in the park. True: some rides in Kinds Dominion are not meant for adults; they are simply to small. But many attractions can be experienced by the whole family.

Other Kings Dominion pages:
1. Arriving to Kings Dominion
2. Inside Kings Dominion Park
3. Kings Dominion Park - Paradise for Kids
4. Big Guns of Kings Dominion Park
5. Kings Dominion for Everybody (current page)
June 27, 2011

Smithsonian National Museum of American History, About the Museum

The National Museum of American History: Kenneth E. Behring Center is a very good place for kids and adults to start learning or to improve knowledge about American history. I also think that this museum can be interesting for visitors from other countries. American History museum is located on the National Mall, at 14th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. The Museum is open daily except December 25. Regular hours are 10:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. with extended hours until 7:30 pm during summer time. Admission is free and no tickets are required.

- National Museum of American History: About the Museum
- National Museum of American History, First Floor: Science, Innovation, Technology and Transportation.
- National Museum of American History, Second Floor: American Lives and American Ideas
- National Museum of American History, Third Floor: American Wars and Politics

July 23, 2010

Smithsonian National Museum of American History, First Floor: Science, Innovation, Technology and Transportation.

When you plan your visit to the American History Museum, you should be aware that it is organized by thematic collections. Although they are structured to represent important aspects of the American heritage, museum's exhibitions do not represent a consistent timeline in the history of the United States from the time when first settlements were founded up to the most recent historic events. It seems that the reason behind this approach is simple: it's much easier to narrate about separate aspects of the American history rather than present in one place the whole history of such big country as the United States.

- National Museum of American History: About the Museum
- National Museum of American History, First Floor: Science, Innovation, Technology and Transportation.
- National Museum of American History, Second Floor: American Lives and American Ideas
- National Museum of American History, Third Floor: American Wars and Politics

July 23, 2010

Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Second Floor: American Lives and American Ideas

Exhibitions on the second floor of the American History Museum are focused on social aspects of American history - American lives and ideas. Here you will find interesting exhibitions "Within These Walls..." and "Communities in a Changing Nation: The Promise of 19th-century America." There are several collections dedicated to African-Americans and exhibition related to Jewish immigration. But again, no matter how interesting current collections are, there are significant gaps in museum's presentations related to some even very important historic events.

- National Museum of American History: About the Museum
- National Museum of American History, First Floor: Science, Innovation, Technology and Transportation.
- National Museum of American History, Second Floor: American Lives and American Ideas
- National Museum of American History, Third Floor: American Wars and Politics

July 23, 2010

Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Third Floor: American Wars and Politics

Did you pay attention to those gray areas on maps with National American History Museum floor layouts? It seems like these are areas closed to public with displays not setup yet for public viewing. Just looking at maps, I would say that about 40-45% of the total floor space at the museum is not used currently for exhibitions. If this is true, I hope that there is an effort in progress to show visitors much more than what is shown now. I am talking about this, because currently only half of the third floor is used for it direct purpose - to promote understanding of the American history and in particular, such things as American wars and politics.

- National Museum of American History: About the Museum
- National Museum of American History, First Floor: Science, Innovation, Technology and Transportation.
- National Museum of American History, Second Floor: American Lives and American Ideas
- National Museum of American History, Third Floor: American Wars and Politics

July 23, 2010

National Museum of Natural History - Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals

Arguably, the Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, Gems and Minerals is the most interesting of all 18 exhibition halls of the National Museum of Natural History. It is located on the second floor of the museum and occupies rather large space with seven thematic galleries. To explore the whole collection, you will need at least one hour and half. This article with a photo gallery provides an overview of what you can see in three (out of seven) of them: Harry Winston Gallery, Gem Collection Gallery and Minerals and Gems Gallery. June 29, 2009

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center - Premises, Entrance, Layout (Part 1)

The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM)'s annex at Washington Dulles International Airport, Virginia, United States. Opened in December 2003, the Udvar-Hazy Center displays historic aviation and space artifacts, especially items too large for the National Air and Space Museum's building on the National Mall. March 17, 2008

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center - Boeing Hanger (Part 2)

We continue our exploration of The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center of Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum (NASM)'s annex at Washington Dulles International Airport, Virginia, United States. Boeing Hanger is the largest space at Udvar-Hazy Center under one roof with many large and small flying machines on exhibit. Of 14 museum section, 10 are located in this hanger. March 17, 2008

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, National Mall Building

The Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum is one of the best - if not the best museum of its kind - in the world. It maintains the largest collection of air and space artifacts in the world. So, if you traveling in the U.S. and visiting Washington D.C., National Air and Space Museum collections and displays may open for you an interesting part of American history and culture even if you are not very much into rockets and airplanes. March 16, 2008

The United States Botanic Garden, Part 1: Review and Tips

When you are on the National Mall (the one that is in Washington DC) and looking at the US Capitol Building, you cannot but notice on the right side the glass dome of The United States Botanic Garden (USBG). Its Conservatory with various indoor gardens and very interesting and educational permanent and temporary exhibits makes this place a very popular attraction for adults and children. The USBG location and concept offer great flexibility in visiting the place - it can be your destination for the whole day; on the other hand, if you are in the area and on a harried schedule, just spend an hour enjoying wonderful flowers and other plants.
Part 1: Review and Tips
Part 2: Virtual Gallery - Orchids
Feb. 3, 2008

The United States Botanic Garden, Part 2: Virtual Gallery - Orchids

In Part 1 of the article on the United States Botanic Garden I mentioned the annual orchid exhibit that usually takes place from January to March. This virtual gallery of orchid photos taken during this event illustrates orchid diversity as well as mesmerizing and seductive beauty of the flower.
Part 1: Review and Tips
Part 2: Virtual Gallery - Orchids
Feb. 3, 2008