Trip to DC

There are a handful of places that I'd like to visit someday. For those who don't know, I want to go to Ireland. No real reason, actually ... I don't think liking shamrocks, the color green, and pretty scenery really justifies a trip, but who cares? I've always wanted to go to Ireland and those are my (silly) reasons.

I want to go to Australia, and just recently I've been bitten with the 'Let's Backpack Through Italy' bug.

Within the US, I want to iceskate in Rockefeller Center, I want to see Niagara Falls and I want to drive up the Oregon Coast.

Going to Washington, D.C. wasn't NOT on my list; it just wasn't something that I was intent on seeing anytime soon.

Silly me.

The past four days, I was in Washington, D.C. for a work trip (my first one in 4.5 years). My coworker suggested that we leave early Sunday morning so that we'd have time to sightsee Sunday afternoon before our meeting started Monday - great call on his part.

Let me tell you ... the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, and the White House are beautiful in postcards and on TV. Seeing them in person is absolutely breathtaking.

I can't believe I didn't have DC on my must-see travel list. If you haven't been, I'd totally recommend putting it on your list.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from my trip:

the Washington Monument from the Metro station

close-up of the Washington Memorial
(the little dots by the flags are the people waiting in line to go to the top)

The Washington Monument, from the steps of Lincoln Memorial,
with a cool reflection in the Reflecting Pool
outside the Lincoln Memorial

Abe up close

from the inside of the Lincoln Memorial
the Korean War Veteran Memorial

cool shot of the Korean War Veteran Memorial Wall,
with a reflection of the monument

the Jefferson Monument
the Jefferson Monument lit up at night

cool shot of DC across the Potomac
(if you squint, you can see the light
at the top of Washington Monument -
it looks like a star)

The White House, all prettied up for the holidays

I don't know what D.C. squirrels eat, but this was seriously
the fattest squirrel I've ever seen. I know this isn't the most
flattering picture, but it was hard getting a good picture since
he kept running around like a madman in the park -
for a chunky little guy, he sure could move (or waddle)