Gene called from the cafeteria of the Smithsonian Institution (where a donut cost him $2.50), reporting that everyone was doing well and there has been no homesickness or problems. He said the entire contingent has gotten nothing but great compliments on the Scouts' behavior and uniforming. His group was waiting to get into the Smithsonian.
The weather has been nice, a little hot and somewhat humid, and mostly overcast. The Scouts returned to the hotel at around 5:00 PM last night and most went swimming. Everyone was in bed by 10:30 PM and he assumed sleeping, as they had had a long day.
He mentioned that most of the Scouts have already bought the "fake" Oaklies for anywhere from $5 to $10 per pair.
The troop continues to divide up with the leaders and the Scouts are choosing which areas they want to visit on a particular day. On the list are the Smithsonian Institution, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, the National Gallery of Art Museum, the Newseum, the National Geographic Museum, the National Postal Museum and the Washington National Zoo. One group (Polar Bears) will be attending a lecture on Mars missions today.
Gene will try to call again sometime Saturday.
