Washington DC: Day Two- Smithsonian

Seriously, we did to much in Washington DC because it is over a month later and I am still blogging about it.  After the capitol we ran over the Smithsonian's.  There are a ton of them which is why we met up with Erica and Spencer.  First stop was the Air and Space Museum.

This is where Brent and I discovered that we really have no interest in Air and Space (sorry all NASA and space lovers.)  We walked around for about a half hour and then discovered we were done.

This is when we moved on to the sculpture Garden.  We do have a severe interest in funny poses though.

Spencer and I becoming part of the statue!

Glass House.  I am never sure what these type of sculptures represent but I do love looking at them. 

Brent observing the world...  Or at least looking at a giant brass ball. You decide.

After this picture was taken I got several compliments for people sitting near-by.  Apparently, my funny photos are actually funny to some people.  Who would have thought?

Does this look familiar?  If you are a bones lover then it should!  This is where the laboratory is set!  There was no need to go in, since I am guessing the actual inside does not look anything like the show.

It was off to another museum, where an original dumbo was displayed from the Dinseyland theme park. It was talking about modern culture, I think Disney paid to have their memorabilia on display.

A piece of the Berlin Wall! I love going into museums and never knowing what I am going to find!

This is for Kalen (who, I am pretty sure, doesn't read my blog).  It is a full size elephant!

The last stop on our museum tour was the hope diamond.  It is the largest diamond in the world.  It was pretty but I am okay not owning it, at least for now!

The museums were fun, but so so so crowded!  I really need to travel on off weeks instead of the busiest times of year.  

Washington DC: Day Two- Capitol

Can you believe we are only half way through day one!?!?!  I sure can't!  I have to admit this was the most difficult part of the day and here is why:

After the Jefferson Memorial I told Brent "okay, I am getting hungry."  I said it pretty flippantly but what that means is "We have exactly 20 minutes before I am unbearably hungry and you better find me food before then." Of course we decided to walk to the Capitol at that time (which was only 12 blocks away... uphill...and hot... and humid.)  By the time we got to the capitol I was NOT a happy camper. 

Here is the picture I took at the Capitol...

Here is how I REALLY FELT... 

 

I seriously love travelling but sometimes you are just hot, tired and overall exhausted but when you get to see things like the Capitol Building it suddenly becomes worth it.

After some overpriced food I was ready to begin the exploration again!  Unfortunately, the Capitol tour process is kinda stupid.  You have to take a tour and they really don't give you enough time to do what you want.  Instead they make you move at their rate and if you actually try to look around they yell at you (Brent got yelled at for being 5 feet away from our tour group).

Needless to say we broke the rules.  There is a room where each state can donate two statues.  Utah donated Brigham Young.  We wanted to see the statue.  When we entered the room, our tour guide went left and we went right.  I try not to be a rule breaker but seriously... why would I go somewhere and look at only what the tour guide wants to look at?  It doesn't make any sense!

This is the ceiling in the rotunda.  The entire Statue of Liberty would fit inside this room it is so tall.  It is also where they do Presidential funerals and other major events.

The mural at the top is the Apotheosis of George Washington (or him becoming a God).  I didn't really care for it.  It doesn't seem to acknowledge God's hand in the creation of a free country but rather glorify the man who was simply a too in God's hands.  Just seemed to be backwards thinking.

Despite not caring for it, we still had to take the picture!  Both Brent and I were so irritated with the Capitols tour system that we told our tour guide we had an emergency and needed to leave.  He just pointed us at the door and we were gone of to more important things.  I will probably want to do a full tour of the capitol but I heard you have to find an employee to take you so you can do what you want.  I will make sure to do that next time!

Day Two: MLK, Roosevelt, and Jefferson Memorial

The monument touring continued.  Many of the monuments were along the same strip in line with the Capitol building down to the Lincoln Memorial. Then there are other memorials that go all the way around a lake.  

This is the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.  It is right on the waters edge.

When you walk around the last you get some great views of the Washington Monument.

Brent thinking some sort of deep thought...  very handsomely. 

We asked a random lady to take our picture with the Jefferson Memorial behind us (Similar to the one above).  Here is what she took.  It is LITERALLY behind us... At least it is a pretty Lake.

Most of our couples pictures were taken by leaning the camera and monopod up against something.  Brent would get it all set up while I stood there looking at other stuff and he would usually yell "Mallory look at the camera" two seconds before it actually took.  There are a few pictures where I didn't quite make the cut!

This is at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial.  His was HUGE!  Well not as tall as Lincoln but very expansive. 

It had several different reflection pools statues, and other fixtures.

This was the main memorial though.  Apparently, his dog was very important to him.  there was a huge crowd around when we took this picture.  Of course Brent and I offered to take pictures for everyone.  Family shots and couples shots are just a lot more fun. 

The great thing is, when you take pictures for other people they always offer to take pictures for you!  One of the other couples did say they liked my dog picture though!

Another part of the Monument.

Finally, after all the walking we made it to the Jefferson Memorial. This memorial is very regal and Grecian! Overall, I prefer this one to the Lincoln Memorial because it is surrounded by trees and greenery.

Taking pictures in the outlaying portion of the monument.  

Isn't Brent such a great Photog?

On our walk back to the Capitol Building we saw a little boy fishing.  His line had gotten his line caught in the Tree so Brent went to rescue him!  What a great man!

At this point it was really hot and humid but we were still loving everything about Washington DC! 

Washington DC: Day Two- Korean War, WWII and Washington DC Veteran Memorials

 Our walking tour continued and we went.  The next two monuments were by far my favorite!  The Korean War memorial had three sections. To the left of Brent is a mirrored wall with soldiers faces etched into the stone.  

  

Across from the wall is the a field filled with these statues of soldiers.  Each statue was personalized.  Some were carrying communication equipment and others held weapons. It is interesting that as you walk up the pathway you are looking at their backs.  It really helps you feel like you could be out there with them, and helps you ask the question "could I do what they did?"

 This is my favorite memorial because it made it easy to visualize what working on the front lines would have looked like.  All the uncertainty would have really scared me, which gave me a greater respect for what those men do/did. 

 At the end of thee pathway is a circular reflection pool, with a shaded path around it.  It was so peaceful.

 From the Korean War Monument we moved onto the WWII memorial.  It was HUGE!  It was divided ino and oval with half dedication to the Atlantic front and the other dedicated to the Pacific front.

Each of the pillars had a state name, we made sure to pay tribute to the home state!

 My focus in college was on the holocaust so this memorial was extra special.  The expansiveness of the monument truly resonated the expansiveness of the battle that consumed the world.  This picture was taken by a Veteran.   

 There were a TON of middle school groups around.  I actually watched three 14-15 year old boys go up to an older veteran and thanked him for his service.  Who ever instilled that in those boys should deserve a medal.  I have to admit I am not that brave to approach a stranger and thank them, even though I am extremely grateful!  Expressing gratitude is difficult for me, and something I desperately want to improve on.  I am really proud of those boy who showed they were brave and grateful!

 after the WII, we went to the Washington DC Veterans Memorial.  I LOVED the simplicity of it all.  For Brents birthday his mom purchased him a camera bag with a mono-pod!  The mono-pod was a LIFE SAVER!  This is the first picture taken by leaning the camera against a tree.  We became pros... until the last day but you will just have to stay tuned to find out what happened.

 I thought this is somewhere I would imagine weddings  taking place. 

 Since it was Memorial Day weekend, there were fresh flowers on EVERY Monument.   I wonder who took care of it because they found a way to make every memorial look special.  

 I woke up early to curl my hair and it was super cute... until I walked outside with the humidity got to and and I became a FRIZZY mess! At least I tried to be cute.

These three monuments were my favorites, and all for different reasons. The amazing lush green of the area made the experience even better.  

Washington DC: Vietnam Memorial, Washington Monument, and Lincoln Memorial

Saturday was a big walking day, and a big seeing day.  This is the Locksmiths house.  I don't know who this guy was but apparently he was important enough to have his house preserved...  Good for him!

 On the Map it showed a memorial to the Declaration of Independence.  We had no idea what to expect, and were pleasantly surprised to find this beautiful lake, with weeping willow trees.  

 Next stop was the Vietnam Memorial.  This was the most crowded memorial (proportionally) by far.  I have a feeling that it is because there are ton of Veterans around. 

 One of the coolest effects of the memorial is that the black stone reflects.  It is really cool to see your reflected in the names of those who died.  

 After we the Vietnam Memorial we walked over the the Lincoln Memorial.  You may be looking at this picture and thinking "Mallory, that is not Lincoln."  Well you're correct.  This is the tall pointy building (Washington Monument) from the stair of the Washington Monument. We were super bummed because the reflection pool was drained and full of construction.  It made this view A LOT less spectacular.

 This is the Lincoln Memorial. A group of cigar smoking bikers took this picture for us!  We took a picture for them, as soon as they handed us the camera they all pulled out HUGE cigars.  Nothing like celebrating freedom with a nice cigar.

 Brent in front of Lincoln. Two great men right there!

 Another Great picture of the monument.

 This memorial is crowded, but it really wasn't to bad.  I accidentally got in this shot.  Looking through this I noticed that there is a lot of pictures doing my own thing as Brent snaps away!

The memorials are amazing.  On the side wall of the Lincoln Memorial is the Four Score Speech.  I enjoyed reading it, and getting a feel for what Lincoln had to do to unite the country during a really difficult time.  I am really glad he did!