I love being in DC. The history in and of itself is enough to put me over the edge. It is a powerful place – so much so that it is impossible to wrap my mind around just what an impact the decisions made in those few blocks have around the globe.
This year I Ashlie and Marirosa signed us up to go on the White House tour. And yes, when I was let through the gate after showing ID that I was really on “the list” to get in that day, I let out a big woo-hoo and skipped just a bit up to the ramp into the security room. My emotions come out in so many different ways. (Even standing in line I could not stand still – besides the fact that it was SO SO SO COLD – but I was so very excited to have the chance to go inside).
Inside what I loved seeing most were the portraits of past Presidents. Especially this one of JFK. I came home with prints of that one, this one of Washington, and this one of Lincoln to frame for Chris’ office.
It was really cool to walk through the White House – many of the rooms are still used for meetings and dinners today. Awesome.
This trip also included visits to three monuments that I missed last year: Jefferson, Lincoln, and the Vietnam Memorial (need to leave some others for the next time I visit).
Here’s some of my favorite photos:
Vietnam Memorial:
Jefferson:
Lincoln:
And here is an example of just how cold it really was:
And something else we all were touched by – this was at the gift shop where I picked up the portrait prints. It was a little photo show of people who have worked in the White House. It showed their position and the length of time they had been in that position. I wish I would have written down the photographers name – the images were amazing.
We finally escaped the cold with lunch at Sequoia. Beautiful restaurant right on the river with a view of the Kennedy Center and Watergate. Awesome lunch. Awesome time.
Great shots Ali… You are busy today. I just commented on your new banner. And two minutes later I check out your source code and their are new pics up too…
Cool! Way to go!
I love Sequoia’s, beautiful restaurant and a DC favorite!
love your photos and today’s weather is terrible!! ice and snow…
have a great day!
Great picture from Sequoia. Lovin’ the use of that mirror!! Sequoia is an happenin’ spot on Sunday nights.
Oh wow! What an awesome trip! I hope to go to DC someday with my son — just gives you chills thinking about the history filling the walls and halls of the place.
Dear Ali,
Washington D.C. is such a powerful and emotional place to visit. As a history major/politcal science minor, D.C. is a treasured place for me as well. I love the Vietnam Memorial pictures…those touch me in a very emotional way. My father was a Vietnam Vet, nearly killed twice while there. I will never forget the phone call I made to my father while visiting there the first time and asking him for names of his friends and commrands to find on the wall, and how hard it was for him to say those names, and how emotional he was when I brought them back for him. He tried to visit the traveling wall at one time, but couldn’t bring himself to get out of the car. Your photography really captures the emotions and the purpose of that wall.
Glad to hear you enjoyed the White HOuse, Im sure the security things have changed since I last visited prior to 9/11. Such a wonderful experience to stand in a place that the most powerful men in the world once stood…and to think if they have been in the exact spot as you. Again, glad to see you have a wonderful time, and if you think its cold there…come to North Dakota…-21 this morning when I woke up BRR!
Ali..
Such cool photos! Glad you had a great time! I’m loving the banner too. I KNOW you’ll reach your goal! We CAN do it!
Thanks for sharing…
I totally feel the same way about DC. I try to go at least once a year because it grounds me and reengerizes me. I think about who walked in the places I walk.
You havven’t visited my favorite memorial yet, the FDR, but it’s probably better visited in the summer to fully enjoy the waterfalls.
sounds like a fantastic trip. love the photos you chose for Chris’s office.
mary
Awesome, awesome pictures. Thanks so much for sharing…DC is still on my wish list to visit one day! So seeing your pictures was an authentic treat for me! Thank you!
Been there along time ago. I stayed the whole summer in Collage Park in a sororiety house on campus. Funny, tho I MISSED alot of sites of DC. I was there that summer to work and it was hard work and barely got FREE time to visit DC. I visited the Mall a couple times and we did see the 4th of July fireworks which was amazing.
If you think the weather was cold/did you ever experience DC in the summer? UGH, very humid hot weather. My hair would never survive their area(LOL)! Well, part of that could be because I worked in a hot kitchen with no air? but still…Humid.
Thanks for sharing your weekend and photos.
Love the new banner too. Hope you make your #GOAL. It’s fun to watch it rise every day.
So glad to hear you enjoyed our fair city! Even in the cold! Did you know that all the memorabilia left at the Vietnam Wall are kept in a special warehouse and are catelogued and kept for posterity. Sometimes they go on display. The warehouse is packed with special momentos. I think someone did a coffee-table type book of them.
So glad to hear you enjoyed our fair city! Even in the cold! Did you know that all the memorabilia left at the Vietnam Wall are kept in a special warehouse and are catelogued and kept for posterity. Sometimes they go on display. The warehouse is packed with special momentos. I think someone did a coffee-table type book of them.
That is my very favorite painting of JFK. I went to the white house when I was 13 and I can remember seeing that painting and how it made me feel, so sad but beautiful. Even 22 years later I can still remember exactly where it is.
next time you will have to visit Arlington Cemetary.
Merci Ali for this “virtual” visit of US great monuments!!!
it’s really cool to see!
great!
{ThE fReNcH tOuCh}
http://prolix.typepad.fr
I loved your very cool ‘tour’ of Washington, DC. Thanks.
Sue
I loved your very cool ‘tour’ of Washington, DC. Thanks.
Sue
I loved your very cool ‘tour’ of Washington, DC. Thanks.
Sue
Our last summer before heading home (after having lived in the US for 4 years) we visited Washington D.C. I can’t remember much from that trip – which was 20 years ago this summer. I think I may be due for another trip to DC – look at it with fresh eyes. A new perspective.
Wonderful photos from your visit… we have such a beautiful and inspiring Capital City, don’t we? Perhaps next time you can come at the holidays and skip through the White House gazing at the decorations!
Awesome photos Ali! I visited there many moons ago in highschool. Was amazing then to me. Being from another Country its very cool to learn about the foundation of the neighbouring country. Glad your home and thanks for sharing your trip with us
hugs
j
There is an absolutely AMAZING book about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, called Offerings at the Wall, ISBN 1-57036-174-6. The photos and stories in it will break your heart. My visit in 1995 was very, very moving as I had the name of a young man at our church to look up. It was incredible to find a familiar name carved in that wall, even someone I never knew, so I can only imagine how it is for visiting families.
I also remember the eternal flame at the Kennedy grave site…although it was probably WAY to cold to visit there this time of year. The frozen fountains is an amazing shot.
if you ever come to boston, be sure to visit the jfk library. it will take your breath away.
Incredible. Thanks for the photo tour. The prints are way cool.
A-
THe photographer is Tina Hager … i took a photo of the text just to remember the name. Shes one of the main white house photographers … http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/07/images/20020719_d071902-515h.html
Love the photos!
A
What can I say, but WOW! I had the opportunity to visit DC back in 1986 on my Junior Trip. It was fabulous then, and I can only imagine seeing it today. I remember the solomnness of The Wall, and the Tomb of the Unknowns. The White House is great, and I loved the few Smithoneons we were able to visit.
I would love to go back and see the WWII memorial, and to take my mom with me so she can see for herself just what a place it is.
Love your pictures, they are wonderful.
I love D.C. My first time there was just this past November. It was so awesome. So very rich in history. I’m a history buff. I also purchased that photo of JFK and one of Regan for my dad. So glad you had a blast. Here’s hoping I get to go back soon!!
Where you not brought to tears by the Vietnam memorial? Oh, I get chills just looking at those pictures. Brings a swell of emotion to me that I don’t even have the words to describe.
DC is such an awesome place. I can’t wait to go back there. Glad you had a good time!
can only imagine how excited you were….and i lurveeeeeeeeee that restaurant pic !
So good to see your new post, DC is a fabulous place. Thanks for sharing it with someone so far from home.
last week on “not your average travel guide” (which is probably on the travel channel, but I am not sure) they had a DC episode and there is a tour you can take called DC in photos- and the guide takes you through all of the sights, and shows you the best way to photograph them. I thought that was so cool.
one of these days I’ll get there!
great pix Ali!
As someone who has lived in the DC area for over 10 years, I can say that I’m still in awe. I have yet to look up at the Capitol building & not feel an excited chill.
DC is a great place! Love the photos. Thanks for sharing.
Oh, wow! Lucky for you to take such a trip. I love DC and could go again and again – I actually did go 8 years in a row with 8th graders (not as bad as it sounds). There’s just SO much to soak in and see at every turn. So glad you got the chance to go and experience and take pictures – AWESOME!
what a cool vantage point for the restaurant photo! I just moved up to DC about 7 months ago, and I am loving all there is to see. SO MUCH stuff to do. For your next visit, I recommend going to the National Cathedral tp://www.cathedral.org/cathedral/
(gorgeous) and then having lunch a few blocks from there at 2Amys pizza http://www.2amyspizza.com/
…absolute HEAVEN. Also, Ford’s Theatre and the museum there are super cool, too!
Washington DC is such an incredible place. I know how much it influenced me and changed my life. I’m glad to see how touched you were, too.
Thanks for posting those pictures Ali. I know that I have posted about this before, but I frequented DC when I was a kid with my parents. I have visited all of those places, so it was fun to see your photographs. Thanks for sharing.
So, so beautiful. Washington DC is at the top of my list of places to visit someday soon.
I too love DC. The power of it was lost on me for a while (too many field trips in elementary school – I grew up in VA), but I visited last summer with a child we had visiting us from Ukraine. Even though we couldn’t share in words, he clearly knew where he was. The White House is exactly what it was designed to be – a symbol of power to the rest of the world. Even a 9 year old from a remote part of a foreign country was amazed to see it.
looks like you and the gals had a great time. nothing like having some good friends along for the experience. I am so sure there are a ton of stories just waiting to be told! Love all the pics!
You captured the true essence of DC. And you’ve captured my creative soul. Love what you do and what you’ve done for me. The inspiration never stops. I thank you for that.
i love dc, but have never been to the white house. when i went things weren’t freezing over! hope you stay warm
Ahh..I too love D.C., basically the whole East Coast. It is so rich in history. When my kids are old enough to understand and retain it, I will take them there.
I did have a question though, who is in the first picture you have up? Is that JFK’s back? Great, great picture, and the shadows in it speaks volumes…beautiful.
Hi Ali -
DC is my favorite US city. I couldn’t believe how emotional it was to visit – more than I would have expected.
I have the same shot of 1975 from the Vietnam Memorial. Powerful stuff.
Thanks for sharing!
I go to DC quite often. I just love it. The buildings are inspirational. The people watching is excellent. It’s just a great place to visit! Loved seeing your pics!
Love that you took advantage of the restaurant mirror (and clear space LOL) to make a picture of you and girlfriends on your lunch date. Nice view
)
congrats for the photos, great job!
Ali,
Looks like you had a blast. Just wanted to let you know I made a small donation to Autism Speaks. I hope you reach your goal.
Dana Barbieri
Great photos. Every time I go to DC I get emotional. Last April I went to the WWII memorial for the first time. Traumatic for me as my Dad is gone now and he and 4 of his brothers were in WWII. Upset with myself that I didn’t know until after it was over that my sisters and I could have attended the dedication. Check out the Wall of Freedom.
The other place I find extremely emotional is the National Archives–i.e., the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
Thank you for sharing the pictures. The Vietnam memorial is my favorite and your pictures of it are awesome (especially the first one with the reflection of the flag). So moving!