We decided on Wednesday night to make a trek into DC, I have never been there and you would think living in PA or for that matter, State College (4 hours away) that I would have at least come once. For warning, any blurry pictures (which I left many out) were of seeing DC through the window of our Honda CRV; at one point I was getting so frustrated by the pictures that Jay actually stopped so we could take some half way decent photos.
Here is the George Washington Memorial Parkway that you take going into DC from the north, Gaithersburg, MD, where Jay is doing some work. It is so pretty with all the trees.
Lincoln Memorial, but we did not get out and walk around we only walked around the park in front of the White House, which is a circle.
Potomac River
This is going to the tomb of the unknown soldier, but most places were already closed or gated off that we were not able to get any closer.
One of the bridges that you cross getting into DC from the north
WWII Memorial (small part of it as we were driving down the road)
White House, and this surprised me because when you see pictures on the news it looks like there is this expansive lawn when in fact it is right in the heart of downtown DC. You can't believe all the buildings around it (they must wipe these out when pictures of the White House are posted in books etc:) I couldn't even figure out where the presidents helicopter lands but there is the south lawn in front with fencing around it so people cannot get that close and then on the other side of the fence is a round park that we did manage to walk the pups around last night. 
Here is the White House when we were walking around the park and this is as close as you could get. Some people visiting got over the fence and were trying to set up their camera for some shots when a policeman on a bike rode over and told them they had to get back on the other side of the fence. 
We were ill prepared as we came into DC and next time we will get on the internet first and find out places to park (this was the hardest part last night) and map out a route. We were doing a lot of guessing and randomly riding around trying to find things and remember historical landmarks as we drove past. All in all we had fun.
3 comments:
I am so glad that Dad took you to DC. It really stinks that you weren't able to get out and walk around though. You need to make plans to go again while he is working up there. I have lots of suggestions on things to do and see.
I am also glad that you posted the photos on your own. No arm twisting and begging for a post or anything!
it's not clear if you're captions are labeling the pictures above or below them, but you have a picture of the treasury building in here that you've labeled "the white house". that might be part of what was confusing for you, you weren't looking at the building you thought you were.
next time you're back here in town, park at a metro station out in the 'burbs (shady grove, if you're coming from state college/north of town) and ride the metro into the city. it'll save you a lot of headaches!
I think that first picture labeled White House is actually the front of the Treasury Building to the east of the White House.
IMGOPH provides good park-and-see-DC advice: take Metro. However, if you want to park in the city and walk around, go over to the westside of the Lincoln Memorial and park in West Potomac Park near the Jefferson or the FDR Memorials. Everything is accessible and walkable from there.
Unfortunately, most things--museums, Arlington National Cemetery, the U.S. Capitol--close to tourists at 5:00. Still, you should come again soon. And before it gets hot and humid and pestilential. That'll all happen in, oh, about a week! :-)
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