Here is part two of our final months in Washington D.C.
I made this image with the use of two polarizing filters to slow down the shutter, but not overexpose the image. Kind of an interesting result.
The reflecting pool had actually frozen enough for people to walk on it. It was pretty cool and doesn’t happen often, so of course I had to get out there and try it myself!
The Lincoln Memorial had a beautiful white blanket over the stairs. Unfortunately, since the federal government was shut down, the inside of the monument was closed.
These guys are part of the Korean War Memorial. It is my favorite of the war memorials. To me, they are the truest reflection of my experience. On the 19 faces of this squad on patrol, you can read the emotion … fear, anxiety, anticipation, weariness, and maybe even a little excitement. The day after a major snowstorm seemed appropriate for the subject.
The squad leader with a look that I can identify with.
A fitting dichotomy.
With the sinking of a South Korean ship by North Korea this year … nearly 57 years after hostilities ended, the engraved message on the memorial rings true “FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.”
The happy snowman was a much more carefree symbol.
These guys are part of the Vietnam Memorial. The represent the veterans of the war who returned home. The are gazing at the black marble wall that this their brothers and sisters in arms who weren’t as fortunate and didn’t make it home.
Vietnam Women’s Memorial honors the women who served in Vietnam.
I like the way this lady’s hair and jacket off set the bronze, over-sized Einstein.
This squirrel dug through the snow and came up with a tasty acorn.
Here he is enjoy the fruit (or nut) of his labor.
Another view of the Washington Monument with all the freshly fallen snow. It was very pretty to walk around. I spend almost the entire day just wandering and making images. It was great fun … but meant for an editing nightmare! 🙂
The Thomas Jefferson Memorial, with just a thin sheet of ice on the tidal basin. The memorial was built after the model of the Pantheon in Rome. It was dedicated in 1943 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and a 10,000 pound statue of Jefferson was added in 1947.
The stark, white obelisk of the Washington Moment soaring overhead.
A view of the capitol with the snow covered national mall, after kids (young and old) played in it all day.
This is the most recent of the war memorials. It is the World War Two memorial. The large pillar in the middle represents the Atlantic campaign and each of the small pillars represent a state or territory of the US.
These next images are from the inside of the National Botanic Gardens. I had no idea the gardens were so close to the capitol, but they are right next door.
Anna with a little pregnant bump (she was almost 6 months along here).
Anna gliding through the Smithsonian Institute’s American Art Museum.
Well, that about sums up our nearly six months in Washington DC. Although we tried to see everything, there simply wasn’t enough time to do it all. So, we hope to one day move back and spend a few years exploring the city. Who knows, maybe after France! 🙂
Next up will be a few posts on our baby-moon cruise, followed by a short homage to Gabi and Philipp, our dear German friend who’s wedding we had the pleasure of attending.
Until then…
–Jim