Our Nation's Capital

We spent two days enjoying the sites and sounds of Washington, D.C. begin commercial We stayed at Cherry Hill Park in College Park, Maryland and if anyone is coming this way, I recommend you use this as your home base. Many years ago, Mike and I stayed here when we were traveling with Rich and Anita and we found the staff helpful and the park neat and clean as well as convenient. Well, if anything, they are even better now! end commercial

Since this was our third trip to D. C. we had very specific spots we wanted to visit so we didn't spend much time with The B's - they had their own list. What would a trip to Washington be without a trip to The White House. This very beautiful clock and weather vane adores a lovely old building kitty korner from the south lawn.

I am always most proud of our government when I see someone protesting for it is only a truly democratic society that allows dissension. This lady has been in her spot across from the south lawn of the white house since 1981 with her message of an anti-nuclear peaceful world - now that is dedication.
Where else but in the United States would you get by with displaying this poster?!

Views of the south lawn of The White House - since the Obamas were not available to pose with me, I had to settle for their home.

When you get around to the front of this house, there are five barracades in place that prohibited me from putting my camera through the fence for a picture - a big change from the last time we were here - but that was pre 9/11.

From the White House we walked down to the World War II Memorial. This view from a distance gives you an idea of the total size.

The memorial is very large but kind of cold - too much concrete for me. But, this part was very nicely done and captured the spirit of the memorial.

"Here we mark the price of freedom." Along the entrance are bronze panels that tell the human story of the war but they are only 12" by 24".

There are tall concrete pillars (15-20 feet) for each of the states with a large bronze wreath on each. The pillars are in a circle with
these huge pillars (50 feet) representing the battles in the Atlantic and the Pacific.

Our next stop was the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial which was really well done. Two large blocks of stone are the entrance through which you walk.

And King's Memorial looks like the piece that has been moved forward.

In a semi circle are quotes from MLK Jr. engraved in the wall. We both agree completly with this one!
He was a gifted orator with thoughts that transcend the times.

This memorial is directly across the pond from Lincoln's Memorial - a fitting location.

Wherever you are in DC, the Washington Monument is always visible. Most of the time, I focus on the flags that fly at her base,

but these days most everyone is focusing on the "ants" that are inspecting the monument for earthquake damage. Yep, this fellow is at the top!
More to come from Washington, D.C.