D.C., Day 2-the rest

While I was in my Senate training, Del spent the day wandering around D.C., especially enjoying the war memorials.  This statue is one of 18 in the Korean War Memorial.  They represent each of the four branches of the military who served in the war and are larger than life.  The detail is incredible.

The soldiers reflect in a granite wall etched with pictures of more people, and the effect is impressive.

The city is full of amazing views, but many of the monuments were in the process of getting facelifts.  The reflecting pool across from the Lincoln Memorial was empty and under construction, so we didn't get to see that beautiful sight as we sat on the stairs.

After I joined him, we went back to wander through the monuments and memorials again.  Del had already explored all day long (plus the day before), but he was a good sport and we had a great time.  We decided to take the metro out to Arlington National Cemetery so we could get there before it closes.  Arlington is a pretty long walk from the Capitol, and the metro makes stops at all of the major sites and gets you there quickly.  Unfortunately, the tour manual we were using was for their peak season, which didn't start for a few more weeks, so when we got all the way out to Arlington we found that it had closed 15 minutes earlier.  We were really disappointed, but we found that you can see a lot of the cemetery and feel the peaceful atmosphere just by walking around it, outside the fence.  

Arlington is so beautiful and peaceful; it definitely felt like hallowed ground. I was surprised at how large the cemetery is.  Sadly, it seems to go on forever.

After visiting Arlington, we decided to spend a few hours walking back to the hotel, touring as we went.  We knew the metro was closing early, so once we started, we had to finish even if we were tired. Our first stop was the Iwo Jima Memorial.  I had no idea how large it was.  Around the memorial is a list of every war the Marines have fought in, from 1775 to Persian Gulf.  It was sad to see that we have fought in so many wars, which have cost so many lives.

The memorial has the phrase, "Uncommon valor was a common virtue" at the top.  It was very inspiring.

From the Iwo Jima Memorial, we needed to cross the Potomac River to see the rest of the monuments.  The Washington Monument was a beautiful sight that you could see from most places in the city.  There is a law that no building in the city can be built higher than the top of the Statue of Freedom on the Capitol building.  The Washington Monument is the only exception.

The monuments are very beautiful at night when all of the marble and granite is lit up.  The Lincoln Memorial is very impressive, sitting there like a silent observer of our society.

The biggest surprise as you visit D.C. is how huge and impressive everything is.  The buildings are enormous and grand, and the statues are so detailed. 

By the time we got to the Washington Monument it was dark outside, and the view was amazing.

The World War II Memorial was also beautiful all lit up at night.

We had a beautiful view of the Jefferson Monument reflecting in the Potomac.

As we walked to the Jefferson Monument, we passed two men fishing off of the bridge.  It seemed so funny because it was right in the middle of the city, not like fishing in Idaho at all!  I took this picture of Del so I could remember the fisherman in the background.  We asked him if the fishing was good, and he said he hadn't caught anything yet, but he'd had some nibbles.  I was surprised that there was anything in the river, but as we walked around the side we was several big splashes.  Some big fish must be living well in that river.

After visiting the Jefferson Monument, we had to make the long hike up to the Capitol.  It took over 45 minutes, and we were exhausted by the time we made it to the hotel at 10:30.  Long day, but very impressive!