Vaca Part 2: The Monuments

We arrived in Virginia on Sunday evening and started out Monday with a walk through the monuments. We stayed with family who were invaluable helping us navigate traffic, parking and schedules. We missed the worst of the traffic and parked in a free parking area along the Potomac. We ate a picnic lunch watching planes come in over the river to Reagan National Airport. We then walked through the Jefferson and Lincoln monuments, along with a few memorials to be shared later. It was a busy first day and emotionally overwhelming to experience this dream of mine with my children.

I knew the monuments were big, but the sheer size was breathtaking! The stone and sculptures were inspiring and the quotes added such meaning to each space. I tried to photograph more, but the experience behind the lens was not as satisfying as taking it all in.

From the steps of the Jefferson, we could see this few of the Washington monument. I was thrilled to capture this photo of Ben at the Jefferson taking a photo of the Washington with his phone.

I decided I needed at least one photo of me in front of something, so here I am at the Jefferson. I love the three children all walking away from me, lost in their own sightseeing.

Then we walked over to the Lincoln (which felt further than it should have) and took in the massive stone and beautiful quotes. Again, I was taken by how massive the statute and pillars are, imagining all the labor and manpower it took to build something so amazing.

From the front steps of the Lincoln, we had another beautiful view of the Washington, this time over the reflecting pool. I would love to return sometime in the spring and retake this photo with the cherry trees in bloom.

On Friday we parked the car outside of town and took the Metro down to see the Washington monument (and then on to the Capital, another post). We decided not to get there early enough to get tickets to go to the top, but the view from the bottom was still breathtaking.

"Hey, mom, I can't see the point of this."
"Honey, it's a way of remembering..."
"No, really, I can't see the point! Look up, mom."

Tomorrow:  The Memorials