American History Museum Day: Everything I'd Gained

Today I played adventurer.  Although the weather was as perfect as its been since I moved here, the day started roughly.  Since I'm an American and public historian, I decided it was finally time to visit the National Museum of American History (NMAH).  On the way there though, I almost lost it.  I was seconds away from sobbing in front of the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center.  You know, because I just get so choked up when I hear/see Reagan's name.  Kidding!  It was in that moment, surrounded by beautiful Romanesque architecture when every emotion I've felt since moving here hit me all at once.

I had a moment for everything I'd lost and a moment toasting everything I'd gained.

Everything I'd lost and everything I'd gained.

Although this experience had little to do with the rest of my exploring, it felt revelatory and it sets the scene,  I guess, for my solo adventures.   If I hadn't uprooted myself, it would be nearly impossible to have the wonderful day I had today, at the very least. 

I had really low expectations for the NMAH, I'll admit this up front.  As a rule, I try not to set high expectations- but also, I was a little underwhelmed by parts of the National Zoo and the National Museum of American History.  Some of the exhibits in both haven't been updated in decades.  I feared the same would be true of the NMAH.  It's not as if these fields are stagnant- we find new thing and create new interpretations of the past every day- it's just that these enterprises receive less funding than other, more glamorous (and more explode-y) sectors of the economy.