Some time spent in DC

[Tom S.]

Despite the reputation and politics, our nation's capital is a really great place to visit. Last week, we rented a house in downtown DC and I and my son's family hit a lot of the points of interest. My daughter-in-law and grand daughter had never been and it had been decades for my son and even longer since I had been. If you've never been, you really should go at least once in your life.

Clicking on a picture will present a larger version.

Here's the house we rented. It is one of the many row houses that can be found in DC. If a house was built before 1900, there is no way to know when it was built exactly because the building containing housing information burned in 1900, so those homes have 1900 as their build date. This house falls into that category. It was clean, modern and well equipped, but didn't have one square wall or flat floor.

Our nations' Capital building. The flag flying over the building on the left indicates the Senate was in session.

The view of the Lincoln Memorial taken while looking through the WWII memorial.

The most famous or infamous address in our country, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Note the Secret Service on the roof.

Part of the Vietnam Memorial. These three soldiers stare forever at the wall with the names of their fallen comrades.

At the Korean War Memorial, visitors see haunting faces of the statues. All branches of the service are represented, distinguished by their attire. No matter where you stand in the memorial, at least one pair of their eyes will be looking at you.

A view of the Washington Monument with the Capital building sitting behind. The reason for the difference in the color of stone in the Washington Monument is building was halted when donated funds dried up in 1856. After the civil war, in 1876, congress authorized the funds to complete building, but the quarry used to supply the stone had long since run out of matching stone.

Probably the most photographed statue other than perhaps the Statue of Liberty, in the United States:

At the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. It has been guarded every minute of every day since April 6, 1948:

Henry, the 11 ton elephant greets visitors at the entrance inside the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History:

My next vehicle (I wish!):

For most of our stay, the weather was decent, but Saturday brought snow and 50 mph wind gusts:

PLEASE RESIST THE URGE TO TURN THIS INTO A POLITICAL DISCUSSION!!

 

[jbtrucker]

My dad a WWII vet wanted me to visit the WWII Memorial , I haven't been able to make it . My sister , niece and family went there few years ago .

 

[quikdraw67]

Thank you for sharing this.

There are so many great things to see in DC.

It's a bit of a drive from DC, but the Udvar-hazy museum by Dulles airport is a mecca if you are interested in aviation.

Seems like every time I go there they have something new added to the collection.

 

[raljr1]

My son has a condo in Arlington. He loves the area. You are correct, DC has some great sights. Thanks for sharing these photos. We've been there several times but have only scratched the surface of what there is to see and do.

 

[bigwheelzip]

I take the grands there when they get to high school.
Favorite place for them is the Spy Museum. On the flight simulator at the Smithsonian, one of my girls repeatedly screamed "Oh my God" for the entire ride, and got an ovation from the crowd when she exited at the end.
Cherry blossom time is my favorite.

Sent from my motorola one 5G using Tapatalk

 

[Old_Cop]

I have been there many times, starting as a small child visiting my uncle in Takoma Park. More recently as a member of the 187th Session of the FBINA which included a tour of the Whitehouse. The last visit was to take my father to see the WWII memorial.

 

[Geronimo Jim]

Great photos. Thanks for posting. Brought back a lot of memories.

 

[Tom S.]

Thank you for sharing this.

There are so many great things to see in DC.

It's a bit of a drive from DC, but the Udvar-hazy museum by Dulles airport is a mecca if you are interested in aviation.

Seems like every time I go there they have something new added to the collection.

That was our first stop. I flew into Dulles and my son and family picked me up (they drove from North Carolina), and we stopped at the museum which is very close to the airport. They have an amazing collection of all things that flew, including the Enola Gay.

My daughter-in-law and granddaughter tried out one of the flight simulators but after several inverted barrel rolls my DIL was through.

 

[margethatcher]

non political

And its a lot safer with all the new defencive fencing and guard dogs.

 

[lkabug]

Tom, even with all it's problems, DC is absolutely a beautiful city.
Should you get there again, let me know, I would love to play tour guide and show you "my city". Although I've been retired for awhile, I doubt there is a street nor alley I haven't driven or walked down.
I certainly hope you had an opportunity to try some of the restaurants. Many are world class. Thanks for the pictures.

 

[Rustyt1953]

Lovely pics. It has been a long time since I was there. The overwhelming nature of it all sticks with you.

Especially "The Wall".

 

[PALADIN85020]

I've made two visits to DC. The first one was on our honeymoon, when John Kennedy was President.

The second was when I was an Honor Flight guardian for this guy. Dick Plowden was a WWII P-47 Thunderbolt pilot during WWII in Europe. He has since passed. A fine man and a good friend.



I also paid my respects at the wall, like this fellow, remembering some long gone fallen friends.

John

 

[Onomea]

My birthplace! My sister lives there, and I have visited on business in earlier years. Never really spent the time to get to know the place though. Someday, I should.

 

[Chubbo]

Spending time In DC

Since my childhood, visiting and spending time in Washington, DC, was an ambition of mine.

Age, physical/mental condition, and governmental affairs have changed all of that for me.

There was a time that I took great pride in DC, and its admirable morals.

Now, even if I were able, I’m not sure if I could endure viewing DC’s ruins.

Forgive my comments, they weren’t meant, to be political, but just my candid feelings, concerning DC.

Chubbo

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

On every trip I've taken to D.C., I make it over to the Washington Monument, and take time to pray for our nation. Then I walk to the Vietnam memorial, to pay my respects to my and my brother's peers. I hope to introduce the grandkids to the tradition in the next year or two.

Ivan

 

[Laketime]

Surprised to see Lincoln hasn't walked off in disgust. Nice pics.

 

[Puller]

Good pictures, sounds like you had a great trip.

The last time I was in DC they were working on the Washington Monument and it was closed, seems like that was 7 or 8 years ago.

 

[rbrbrb6]

I should get to go there for the first time in a month or so. My son and his wife were picked up for the A/F Fellowship program so he will be going to Georgetown to get a Masters in Policy Management and Ashly gets to pick if she wants to serve her Fellowship at the Pentagon, Capital or one of the think tanks like the Rand Corp. They should be there for 3 years and they just rented a house in Arlington since they lost out on two houses they made offers on at about 6%-8% over asking. The place they are renting for at least a year is only a mile form the Pentagon and is only $3900 per month!!!! Glad is is them and not this old guy!

 

[tripledipper]

Was last there a couple of years ago for a music event. Some great restaurants near the Capitol area but if you wander a little further from the main attractions it is like any other big city, there are some bad neighborhoods which the average tourist never sees. You used to be able to walk right up to the WH entrance, visit your Congressman's office. I was there for a wedding shortly after the Pentagon got hit. That image always sticks in my mind.

 

[SMSgt]

Been there many times over my lifetime. Nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there.