Starting things off in the US Capital
I’ve been stressed at school and decided to take the day off from any and all work. However, with that said, I didn’t waste an entire day, so, I needed an activity. Stress + needed activity = My solution: grab my camera, hop on the Metro and go sightseeing.
A couple of years ago I bought a ‘nice’ point-and-shot camera in hopes to picking up photography as a hobby. Granted it’s not a the best camera, but for my budget, it was on the higher end at the time. Anyway, I took a few trips to Gettysburg and Antietam Battlefields, as well as vacations to Bar Harbor, ME and London, before it faded out of my life. I didn’t necessarily get tired of the activity. I simply didn’t have (or didn’t make) time for it, so my camera has been collecting dust in my closet ever since. Now, I’ve found the time and energy to give it another go.
I’m hoping to make these short day trips a weekly event, but to start I stayed close to home with a walk through DC. Well, I actually started in Arlington Cemetery. I’ve wanted to visit for a while, so I just went. Then, to follow up, I stopped at some popular attractions in DC.
Arlington National Cemetery
Section 6
While at the cemetery, I stopped at a few of the most visited spots within its walls, including the Kennedy bothers’ graves, USS Maine Memorial, and the space shuttle memorials. I also made a small detour to visit the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, which is surrounded by some of the tragedy’s victims.
Tomb Sentinel at the Tomb of the Unknowns
Finally, I parked myself on the steps of the Memorial Amphitheater to watch the Changing of the Guard Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I watched it twice, as well as the added bonus of an Army Wreath Laying Ceremony.
I highly recommend a visit to the cemetery. It’s a very moving place. You’re encouraged to walk through the grounds and pay respects to the nation’s heroes. While I was there they had a wonderful exhibit within the Women in Military Service for American Memorial called Faces of the Fallen. It was made up of artistic portraits of those in the service killed over the past few years created by various artists in a variety of styles.
This morning’s Flickr set: cemetery pics
Washington, DC
The Lone Sailor
A bronze lion within the Law Enforcement Memorial
In DC, I stopped at a couple off the beaten path memorials, including the United States Navy and National Law Enforcement Memorials. Each is near a Metro station, but I walked between the two, which wasn’t too bad. Both memorials are made up of open plazas with symbolic pieces scattered around. Both are ideal to plop down and read, reflect, rest and/or journal, although the Navy Memorial is in a more convenient location (in my opinion).
White House
Lincoln Memorial
The view from the Lincoln Memorial steps
To finish off the day’s walk, I made a quick pass by some of the city’s most recognizable structures. Really, what would a sightseeing trip to DC be without stops at the Washington Monument, White House, Abraham Lincoln Memorial and everything in between?
This afternoon’s Flickr set: city photos
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