Washington in the fall

Although we officially moved to the Washington DC area (specifically a former part of the district … Arlington, VA) it feels more like an extended vacation. Plus, Anna’s pregnancy has made things much more interesting. We have been trying to take advantage of our time in the nation’s capital … or as the French say we’re trying to profiter.
So, here are some images I collected during the fall of 2009 here in the DC area.

Honest Abe is impressive and is prevalent throughout the city. I most appreciated seeing and learning about him in a great exhibition in the Smithsonian Museum of American History. It even included the top hat he wore to Ford’s Theater in April 1865. Then, we went to a production of “The Rivalry” in Ford’s Theater. If you’re not familiar with the show, it’s a historical drama of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates in Illinois during the 1858 US senate race and perhaps the most famous political debate. Although Lincoln lost the senate contest, it catapulted him to national fame and enabled him to eventually become the 16th President of the United States of America. It was particularly poignant to see it in Ford’s Theater and we highly recommend the show.

A wood duck in the reflecting pool of the National Mall.

Two soldiers of the Old Guard during a changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.

You know where this is … who else would have (for a time) the world’s largest phallic symbol? Oh, and the capital.

The World War Two Memorial that opened in 2004. Each small pillar represents a state or territory and the two large pillars represent the theaters of the war, Atlantic and Pacific.

Walking near the National Portrait Gallery.

The metro is fast, efficient and best of all … clean. The only thing we wish is the trains were more frequent. During rush hour, it’s PACKED and at night, waiting 20 minutes seems like an eternity. But, overall we are very satisfied with the DC metro.

Judy Garland’s Ruby Slippers from the Wizard of Oz … now residing in the Smithsonian Museum of American History.

Thanks to Mike E. for making this image.

The Korean War Monument is one of my favorites in DC. I appreciate the look of fear on the soldier’s faces. I believe emotion is present in any conflict and not often reflected in the memorials.

The all important US Air Force Monument.

The Jefferson Memorial is another well done memorial, and the building was completed in 1943 and opened by President Franklin Roosevelt, on the 200th anniversary of Jefferson’s birthday. It was finally completed in 1947 with a 5.8 meter (19′) statue of the 3rd president weighing in at 4,300 kg (10 tons).

These soldiers are part of a re-enactment at the Battle of Manassas. For those of you from the North, it’s also known as the Battle of Bull Run (1st and 2nd), fought on July 21, 1861 and August 28-30, 1862. If you’re confused about the dual name, you’re not alone. It comes from the northern tendency to name battles for the nearest land feature (in this case Bull Run Creek) and the southern tendency to name the battle for the nearest city (Manassas, Virginia).

A demonstration of canon cleaning with a little water.

The Henry family took refuge in this house during the battle. In fact, an octogenarian grandmother, Judith Carter Henry, was unwilling to move from her upstairs bedroom. Unfortunately, she didn’t survive the battle, along with about 28,000 other people between the two battles.


The First Battle of Manassas (or Bull Run), according to legend, is where General “Stonewall” Jackson famously earned his nickname when Confederate General Bee attempting to rally his faltering troops shouted “there stands Jackson like a stone wall! Rally behind the Virginians!”

The fall colors were stunning.

While I joined the boys at Deer Camp at Moose Lake, Anna hosted Mom M. and Sarah here in DC. Fortunately, I was able to join the girls for a day at the end of their trip.

A few weeks later Mom G. came out for a long weekend just before Christmas. The sights were great all decked out for the holidays. Oh, and this is one house that needs no introduction.

The National Christmas Tree and Washington Monument.

Apropos model train at the base of the tree.

The capital is always beautiful at night.
The next post will have our holiday trip back to the midwest for a week, then a week out in California. It was a great trip and we’ll share the pictures soon.
until then.
–Jim