Diary/Photo Journal
Week of August 24, 2003
Continuing on with our History theme, we ventured into Washington, DC for a long day of walking, looking and more walking. We decided it would be best to experience DC on foot and eight hours and 10 miles later, we did enjoy the experience.
We had hoped to take a White House tour but the tours are suspended indefinitely, so we settled for a self-guided tour of several monuments and other noteworthy sites. Here is our take on the different places:
White House: Grand
Lincoln Memorial: Thought provoking
Jefferson Memorial: Inspiring
Vietnam Wall: Humbling
Washington Monument: Impressive
Capitol: Nice
Library of Congress: Spectacular
Air and Space Museum: Awesome
Museum of Natural History: Interesting
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Gerson at White House and the Capitol Building |
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Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials famous speeches inscribed on walls |
What is great about these memorials, is that from each one, you can see at least two of the other monuments.
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Washington Monument from different
views. Sun cresting peak and view from the base View from Lincoln's Memorial and reflection on the Vietnam Wall |
The Smithsonian museums have so much to see and experience. You need several days just to get through them all.
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Smithsonian Castle and Gerson at the South America exhibit pointing out his birthplace - Curitiba |
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I just thought the third sign was a cute way of saying "the place to dump your spouse off" |
Here was our favorite place - the Library of Congress. The original collection was burned by the nasty British and the Library was started again by Thomas Jefferson and his generous donation of his private collection of over 6,500 books. What makes this building so fascinating is that you can walk freely around the Great Hall and enjoy several special exhibits. The exhibits change throughout the year and include extraordinary documents, maps, books, photographs, films, tapes, objects, etc. of history. Also, in case you did not know, the Library is open to the public. A large portion of the book collection is available for your perusal.
Even though the exhibits are wonderful, they are eclipsed by the craftsmanship and beauty of the building itself. Here are samples of what exists on every wall and ceiling in the Great Hall and in the research rooms. You get a sore neck reading all of the names and the quotations inscribed in the mosaic tiles embedded in and around the perimeter of the ceiling.
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The exterior of the Library of
Congress The Great Hall ceiling is all mosaic tile Other painted hall ceilings Entrance to the Library of Congress |