Washington Monument, Washington D.C.

Favorite thing: We had a good time at Washington DC. Top view from Washington Monument was really nice. Strollers can be parked outside the monument. Although our trip to climb up the Washington Monument was at 11:30am., we went late and the securities were kind enough to all us inside. This may not be the case always. Zoo was good, but it is very crowded. They can introduce a small fees, so only genuinely interested will come to see the animals. The animals especially the Male lion and Tiger were great to watch. Cone icecream prices are high. We could see only one giant panda and that was in sound sleep, that we cannot make out it is a real panda or a stuffed toy. Union station parking is expensive, but instead of circling the streets mindlessly, it is a good option.

Favorite thing: Lots of walking and you don't even realize you are walking that much. For example.... take this walk. From Lincoln memorial... in around Vietnam memorial... in and around Korean War Memorial... to /from in and around World War II memorial... and then back up to Lincoln Memorial... that's a darn good walk. For two old geezers. Wear good sneakers.

Fondest memory: Too many to mention... Some are too embarrasing to mention! ; )

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Favorite thing: I've watched the Washington Monument, one of the city landmarks, many times on TV.

Well, I called this 169 metre (555 feet) high white marble column, the Washington Column. Keep in mind that in the Federal City columns are monuments and monuments are memorials. So, I saw personally this monument for the first time from the top of Sheraton National Hotel across the Potomac River, in Arlington, Virginia where I stayed. The white monument dominated the skyline of downtown DC where surprisingly there were no, even one, skyscrapers. The column with walls 15 feet or 4.57 meters thick at the base is equipped with an elevater which carry 25 passengers to an observation deck (500 foot level) during 70 seconds. A new elevator cab with glass panels in the doors comes down twice slower to allow visitors to view the commemorative stones within the interior of the monument. Certainly I wanted to see that all and take pictures of DC from the top the next day.

When I came to DC, thanks to Nat (b1bob), I had already visited Mount Vernon Estate and Gardens in nearby Mount Vernon, Virginia. It was a large property with the mansion where the first president of the United States and Virginian, George Washington (1732 - 1799), called "Father of his Country", spent most of his fascinating life, died and was buried. I surprisingly discovered there that George Wasgington had been a passionate farmer and gardener. So, the Washington Monument end exhibits set up there would perfectly broad my knowledge on this fascinating historical figure.

Fondest memory: But when we, a group of VT-ers came to DC, we could only see a fence around vast monument grounds with extensive renovations in progress behind. We were a few months too early. The info sign said: "Temporary construction closure. The Monument is scheduled to reopen in early 2005." And it opened on 1st April, 2005. The ticket kiosk is open 8.00 am to 4.30 pm, but tickets (free!) run out early (there are only the same day tickets available). So, see you again in Washington, from the top of the Washington Monument :-).

Favorite thing: This magnificent view extends from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial - you can see the Washington Monument itself as well as its mirrored image in the Reflecting Pool. I just couldn't help the urge to sit down on the steps to admire this awesome view!

Fondest memory: As I was sitting on the steps savouring the view, a few American movies and documentaries reeled through my mind, movies in which I saw this same view. It was a funny feeling, I could not believe I was looking at the real place, not just an image in a movie!

Favorite thing: Here's Irwin with the Washington Monument. That's a section of the mall behind him.

Did you know that the Washington Monument was finished in two different stages? If you look closely, you can notice that the marble at the top is a different color from the bottom.

Favorite thing: After becoming adults my sister and I have not had a lot of time to spend together on vacations or traveling. So one day she asked if I could take a day off from work in Washington and play guide to her and a friend in where else....Washington. It was great to spend a day with her, a friend, and my daughter. Pictured here with the Washington Monument in the background is my sister, a friend, and my daughter Danielle.

Fondest memory: The number of different monuments, obelisks, statues and mausoleums in Washington exceeds all possible limits. There is at least one monument per 100 sq. meters. By the way, same goes for american flags. So if you're a great fan of just any monument - then go ahead, otherwise limit yourself to the most important, like Lincoln and Washington (on the picture) and try not to look around.

Favorite thing: The Washington Monument - one of the most remarkable symbols of Washington, this marble obelisk was finished in 1885, after decades of construction. During the Civil War work was interrupted, and for this reason the latter third of the obelisk's stones came from a different place, so it's possible to note the different colorations. It used to be possible to take an elevator to the observation level, for free. Now I don't know.

Favorite thing: Visit the Washington Monument overlooking the Reflecting Pool.
Situated between the Lincoln and Washington memorials in the Constitution Gardens, the reflecting pool is over a third of a mile long and is lined with shade trees.

Favorite thing: Washington Monument.
The Mall leads to this great obelisk, another glorious and recognizable symbol of the USA.
Incidentally, DC is also famous for the beautiful cherry blossoms in the spring as you can see from this photo.