For a while I have been wanting to write about Washington, DC, and posts some pictures of the city. I love living here and generally feel that the city gets too much bad press! It is beautiful, it is very walkable, there is so much to do and see, and it offers many interesting jobs. So there! I want to do a series on the city, highlighting some of the things I like. I will definitely be doing some entries on rowhouses, like I did with Baltimore. One of the nicest things with living in DC is to be able to stroll and run on the National Mall, where some of the country's most famous and visited attractions are located.
I figured I'd start with a few shots of the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. To many people, the most recognizable part of the US capital is the National Mall with all its monuments. I took these very early a Sunday morning at the end of March. First you see the Washington Monument and the reflecting pool, and then the Lincoln Memorial.
Allow me to quote from Wikipedia:
The Washington Monument is a large, tall, white-colored obelisk near the west end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C. It is a United States Presidential Memorial constructed to commemorate George Washington. The monument is among the world's tallest structures and is the world's tallest obelisk, standing 555 feet 5⅛ inches (169.294 m) in height[1] and made of marble, granite, and sandstone. The actual construction of the monument began in 1848 but was not completed until 1884, almost 30 years after the architect's death. This hiatus in construction was because of a lack of funds and the intervention of the American Civil War. A difference in shading of the marble, visible approximately 150 feet (45 m) up, clearly delineates the initial construction from its resumption in 1876.Its cornerstone was laid on July 4, 1848; the capstone was set on December 6, 1884, and the completed monument was dedicated on February 21, 1885. It officially opened October 9, 1888. Upon completion, it became the world's tallest structure, a title it inherited from the Cologne Cathedral and held until 1889, when the Eiffel Tower was finished in Paris, France.
The Lincoln Memorial is one of my favorites (the other one being the Korean War Memorial) and is dedicated to the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. It was dedicated in 1922.
Comments (10)
I love your pictures! The Washington Monument is in such an atmospheric and dramatic setting.
I used to visit the District a lot when I did contract work for the U.S. Department of Education. Since I always worked all day, I once took the Washington DC night tour and LOVED it. I also loved my morning walks from my hotel to Georgetown or towards DuPont Circle. I think Washington DC is a beautiful place.
Posted by Eden | April 21, 2008 12:59 AM
Posted on April 21, 2008 00:59
Great photos!! I loved this post and am looking forward to more posts on Wash. DC.
I visited there once when I was either 11 or 13 (funny, i am sure I wasn't 12 for some reason but can't remember if I was 11 or 13). I remember loving the money mint and visiting the Zoo and seeing the Panda Bears.
Posted by girasoli | April 21, 2008 1:38 AM
Posted on April 21, 2008 01:38
Yay! A DC series sounds great. I love that city and agree with you that it gets an undeserved bad rap. I've been going there since I was a kid. Amazing museums and monuments. Your photos are wonderful!
Posted by Annie | April 21, 2008 12:53 PM
Posted on April 21, 2008 12:53
Beautiful photos! I visited DC briefly with my son but spent most of the time at the Smithsonian. I'll read your posts on DC with much interest and use them on planning a future trip.
Posted by María I. | April 21, 2008 5:44 PM
Posted on April 21, 2008 17:44
That first photo with the bird flying overhead is absolutely stunning!! I've only been to DC once (I was around 12) but recall finding the monuments fascinating. I look forward to seeing more of DC through your eyes!
Posted by Anne | April 21, 2008 8:16 PM
Posted on April 21, 2008 20:16
E,
Absolutely gorgeous photography. Will you teach me? I look forward to this series.
Posted by Jane | April 22, 2008 12:56 AM
Posted on April 22, 2008 00:56
The Korean War Memorial is my "little known and undervisisted" favorite. I feel like so many people miss it on the bee line from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial. The sculptor did a phenomenal job and while I have some old photographs, I think you've just inspired me to go do a new photographic study of the memorial!
Posted by Perpetual Traveler | April 22, 2008 8:11 AM
Posted on April 22, 2008 08:11
Thank you everyone for your kind comments! Jane, I am no expert photographer, I just lucked out with this one!
Perpetual Traveler, I would love to see your series on the Korean War Memorial! As I mentioned, it is one of my two favorites.
And to those of you visiting when you were kids: time to come back! I'll show you around...
Posted by Chiocciola | April 22, 2008 10:26 AM
Posted on April 22, 2008 10:26
I blogged about this - last time I came to DC was in Fall of 2006 when I came to see Tai Shan (aka Butterstick). Wish I'd known you then! But did you know that there might be another baby panda on the way? If there is, I'll come back to see it too!
Posted by Annie | April 22, 2008 6:43 PM
Posted on April 22, 2008 18:43
Spectacular image!
That should be a poster child for the city!
Ciao,
Brenda
Posted by Brenda | April 27, 2008 12:59 AM
Posted on April 27, 2008 00:59