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| Scott had a conference in Washington D.C. for a few days, so the kids and I headed up to take in some sights. I use the TripAdvisor website a lot when planning trips and it highly recommended "DC By Foot" - a free/tips based walking tour of D.C. They actually have three tours available and we did two. Highly recommended!!! This first one is "More Than Just Monuments" - we started at the Washington Monument, then headed to the WWII Memorial. |
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| It was so interesting to learn about some of the design elements of the memorials and monuments during the tour. For instance, the statue of Freedom on top of the Capitol building is 19'6" tall. No other statue can be taller than "Freedom" - Jefferson is 19'. Moving water is a symbol of life and hope, while the still water is for reflection and remembering the dead. The WWII Memorial has both moving and still water. |
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| Vietnam Memorial...the designer wanted the stone to be highly reflective to be as "human" as possible - you see yourself. It also starts and ends in the middle in a "V" shape. Every name of the missing and dead is listed on the stone - it's an overwhelming list of names. |
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| Lincoln Memorial |
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| It was a hike getting over to the Jefferson Memorial because you have to walk around the enormous Tidal Basin, but it was definitely worth it. |
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| Tidal Basin, cherry trees, and the Jefferson Memorial |
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| Korean War Veterans Memorial...19 soldiers, representing a squad on patrol... one of them is "looking" at you wherever you stand... |
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| Our tour guide suggested going to the top of the Old Post Office tower to take in the views...so glad we did! |
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| At the top of the tower... |
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| Old Post Office from the front...that's the tower we went up in... |
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| Even though the kids and I were exhausted from our tour of the memorials/monuments earlier in the day, we met up with Scott after his conference for our second tour, "The Lincoln Assassination". Very well done and so informative. We started in front of the White House where people are exercising their First Amendment right to freedom of speech. |
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| Our tour ended at the Ford's Theater - where the sad death of Abraham Lincoln occurred... |
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| Next day...let's look at some American art...don't think I've ever been in this particular museum - it's kind of off the beaten path, but near our hotel... |
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| The Chinatown arch...The "Friendship Archway", built in 1986, and a gift from Beijing... |
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| Scott finished his conference...off to the National Archives. It was packed! We got to see the three main founding documents...the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights...Wow. |
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| Photo out of order...the Old Post Office at sunset while on our Abraham Lincoln tour... |
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| One of our favorite pieces of American art... this painting of George Washington by Gilbert Stuart in 1796... |
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| Scott really wanted to visit the new visitor's center at the Capitol, but it was closed for the day...We took a beautiful walk around this beautiful building....We pray for our leaders -- for God-loving and God-fearing men and women to seek Him for wisdom and discernment... ******* "if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." ~ 2 Chronicles 7:14 ~ |
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| Majestic view of the National Mall...Ulysses S. Grant Memorial with its 13 horses and the Washington Monument... |
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| As we were walking around the front of the Capitol, we saw this massive group of intimidating looking vehicles and agents with very large weapons. We waited a few minutes to see what would happen when everyone/thing started moving. It was an impressive operation! Afterwards, one of the secret service agents said the vice-president had just left the Senate chamber. Wow! |
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| Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address...full of words crying out to and acknowledging the one true God... ******* "...Fondly do we hope--fervently do we pray--that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue, until all the wealth piled by the bond-man's two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash, shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said "the judgments of the Lord, are true and righteous altogether" With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan--to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations." |
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| Acknowledgement of God is everywhere in our nation's capitol... |
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| Powerful words..."Freedom is not free"...Whether it's our freedom in Christ - He gave His life for us - or our political freedom - so many Americans have sacrificed and died for our freedom. |
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| "ETERNAL VIGILANCE IS THE PRICE OF LIBERTY" |
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| Hmmmm...something to ponder... |
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| U.S. Botanic Garden ******* Grateful for being able to spend more time in our nation's capitol...so much to see and experience...Grateful for my freedom in Christ and the freedoms we still enjoy in the United States of America...Looking forward to coming back... ******* "...Give thanks to the LORD Almighty, for the LORD is good; his love endures forever." ~ Jeremiah 33:11 ~ |
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