Back to the Nation’s Capital
A friend of mine is visiting her family, so I took a day off (yep, it’s true) to catch up with her while she had a free moment. She’s a Maryland native making her first trip home since moving, so we decided to revisited some familiar sites for old-time’s sake. We started in southwest DC, which wasn’t the best place to wander around. The idea was to start at the Capitol, but what I considered the most convenient Metro stop put us in an area that seemed a tad sketchy. We quickly figured out it wasn’t one of my better plans. Then, to top it off, we took a wrong turn and ended up lost in the wrong part of town. Oh well, it worked out.
Capitol Hill
Jefferson Building of the US Library of Congress
US Supreme Court
US Capitol
View of the National Mall from the Capitol
The Library of Congress has three buildings, of which I think the Thomas Jefferson Building, the original main library and headquarters, is the most unique. Of course, it’s also the oldest. It’s appropriately named after the third US President and well-known scholar, who, in a way, is responsible for the heart of today’s collection. He sold his personal book collection to the library after most of the institution’s holdings were destroyed when the British burned DC during the War of 1812.
We circled the United States Capitol, checking out the grounds. There’s much more to them then I originally thought. We even found an oddly placed “oasis” of sorts. It’s a random spring house hidden on the property. It was early enough there were relatively few people around. The best part of getting an early start to anything for me is beating the crowd.
Constitution Avenue
Andrew Mellon Fountain, in front of the West Building of the National Art Gallery
The Lone Sailor in his Granite Sea at the US Navy Memorial
J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building
Old Post Office Pavilion, which is no longer a post office
We walked up Constitution Avenue with the goal to reach the White House, but we ran out of time. I had a therapy appointment in the afternoon, so we had to rush to the closest Metro Station before finishing our walk. It didn’t really matter. We were both satisfied with what we fit in. It served its purpose and we were ready to move onto something else anyway.
Today’s Flickr set: city pics
Another afternoon spent in DC and Arlington
I had a softball tournament this weekend, however my team did not do so well this morning in the playoff portion. We were one-and-done, unexpectedly leaving another afternoon free. Boo. So, with my extra time, I decided to tackle one of my unfinished trips – visiting the Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington. I wanted to see the memorial during my last trip to the cemetery, however I ran out of steam before reaching it. That means I’ve been obsessing over ever since. Now, I have the time and I was on a mission!
Washington, DC
Despite my end goal, I still started in DC and walked down. What can I say, I had a lot of time to kill and energy to walk off.
War Memorials
WWII Memorial & Rainbow Pool
Korean War Memorial
I started at the Navy Memorial again, and stopped along the way at the various military memorials between the Washington and Lincoln Memorials, including the local World War I Memorial. I didn’t even know that one was there, I just happened to stumble across it as I wandered down the sideway. The National World War II Memorial is one of my favorites. It’s gorgeous and very fitting. Although, it’s hard to really compare them, since I like all three major national war memorials. All three are highly symbolic and humbling.
The Korean War Veterans’ Memorial, my favorite to photograph, includes nineteen larger than life statues of soldiers on patrol, which combine with the 19 reflected in the mural wall to create a 38 member platoon, representing the 38th Parallel. The individuals represent members of all four US Military branches, as well as various races. The mural, called the ‘wall of faces,’ is a collage of sketched military personnel, ends at the reflection pool. Also included in the memorial is a list of the 22 nations that joined us in the fight. It’s a masterpiece.
Presidential Memorials
FDR Memorial, “Room Three”
Jefferson Memorial
The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial is huge, but what else would be expected considering the man served as President for twelve years. There’s a lot to cover. The memorial is separated into four “rooms” representing each of his four Presidential terms, with various statues and/or bronze plaques depicting significant events during those years, such as the New Deal and WWII. Several of his quotes are inscribed throughout the memorial. Each room has some type of water fountain or pool. Eleanor is also honored near the back of the memorial.
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial is a little out of the way and I’m not sure of a convenient route to reach it except by hopping on a tour bus. It’s a hike otherwise, as it’s not really close to a Metro Station. But, the walk is worth it, if you’re up to it. From the Lincoln Memorial it’s just around the Tidal Basin, with the FDR and George Mason Memorials scattered the way. Of course, in the spring the walk is lined by the area’s Cherry Blossoms, which could also help.
Arlington, VA
So, over Memorial Bridge and into Virginia.
Arlington National Cemetery
Women in Military Service for America Memorial
Curtis Walk
I didn’t linger around the cemetery too long this trip because I was determined to reach the USMC Memorial, which is on a hill just outside of the cemetery’s northern gate, before I ran out of steam. I really just bee-lined it through part of the cemetery.
Memorials
Iwo Jima Statue
Netherlands Carillon
The United States Marine Corps War Memorial is a large sculpture of Joe Rosenthal’s 1945 Pulitzer Prize winning photo, Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima. Each figure stands about ten-feet tall. The flag is one of the few official locations authorized to fly the flag 24 hours a day. The base of the memorial is inscribed with two inscriptions, including “Uncommon Valor is a Common Virtue,” as well as all military engagements involving the Marines. It was all I had hoped and definitely worth the extra effort!
The Netherlands Carillon is between the cemetery and the USMC Memorial. It was a gift from the Dutch in appreciation for aid during WWII. The bells at the top of the 40-foot tower play Westminster Chimes on the hour and American patriotic music twice a day.
Today’s Flickr set: area photos
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