The National Mall in WDC

Yesterday started with good weather so we drove to the metro station (4 miles) and caught the metro for WDC. It took us about 25 minutes and ten stops but we made it to the mall and exited at the Smithsonian. From there we started a walking tour that took us about 10 miles around the monuments.

We walked the East side of the Tidal Basin and over to the Jefferson Memorial. It's a little out of the way but well worth the walk.









We then headed around the West side of the Tidal Basin and visited the Franklin D Roosevelt Memorial. He was president from 1933 till 1945 and saw the country through some tough times. His New Deal helped bring the country out of the Great Depression and his presidency saw us through the Second World War. It's a large and fitting memorial.

Again, along the West side we visited the MLK H Jr. Memorial. Once again a fitting memorial to a great leader.

We then visited the Korean War Memorial where soldiers are depicted on patrol in Korea. Again a fitting memorial to those brave men who gave everything for us.








We walked around the corner and saw the Lincoln Memorial As many times as I have seen it.... I used to run by it every morning when I was working in DC... it still is spectacular.










And inside is my favorite statue in WDC.
A picture can't show the size and grandeur of this memorial.

It was down the reflecting pool to the World War Two Memorial. Again a fitting tribute to those who gave all for us.












It was then around the White House for this South Lawn view. I like this spot better than the view from Pennsylvania Avenue. It's always smaller than I think it should be.

A short walk and a metro ride brought us to the Pentagon and a short walk later we were at the Pentagon 9/11 Memorial. You can see where the building has been repaired and this large area is a Memorial to the 183 souls who lost their lives here at 9:37 on that morning. We paid our respects and then again hopped the metro back to the American History Museum at the Smithsonian for some first lady dress viewing.


We again jumped on the metro for the trip back to College Park where we left the truck and a short drive later we were at the trailer just as it started to rain..... exhausted but happy. My wish is that every American would be able to spend a day like we had yesterday. It's truly a patriotic experience.
Today we rest and do chores.... like grocery shopping..... and tomorrow it's off to the National Zoo.