With Carrie still feeling somewhat under the weather and Katherine fully worshipping at the porcelain (okay, plastic since it's a trailer) altar, only four of us made the trek into the city today. We might have called it another down day at camp like yesterday if it were not for the timed entry Archives and Holocaust Museum tickets we had to use.

Beginning our day at the Archives, Michael observed that timed entry tickets were not as good as just plain being there first thing in the morning. A year ago, he was able to walk right in and see all the documents he wanted for the first hour, whereas once you have the timed entry and come later, the interior is just as crowded. A word to the wise - come early and just forget about timed entry. After the requisite stop at the Declaration and Constitution, the group made its way through some of the changing exhibits. In 2014 the main changing exhibit was on famous signatures, including Hitler's marriage license, a letter from Albert Einstein to the President, and more. This year, the topic was how alcohol in America was viewed through the documents in the Archives, an exhibit of little interest to an 11, 13, and 19 year old (well, at least this 19 year-old).

At the Holocaust Museum, we made our way through the various levels of the exhibits without a lot to say to one another. Michael was looking forward to what he had been promised was one of the most moving pieces - the pile of shoes at the end. It was not to be seen though as it had been removed for conservation, without even a picture placeholder. Much of the informational content Michael already knew, as did Rebecca, but much of it was new for Emma and Sarah who had not studied the Holocaust in depth, despite some introductions through family discussion and watching Schindler's List and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas prior to the trip.

Leaving the museum after the requisite stop in the genocide-and-Jewish-themed giftshop (props to them for at least giving a head nod to other genocides like Rwanda and the Armenians), we ate a quick lunch of hot dog from a vendor (Rebecca declined, apparently still a little queasy), and made our way to the Air and Space museum for some time there. Emma and Sarah were most enthralled with the flight simulator rides, much less so with the history of flight.

With a third of the party still down for the count, the remainder of us called it an early day and headed back to camp to check on the members of the injured roster.