Bare with me and this post. It's long but I promise the pictures are worth it!
I spent the first four days of my spring break with my dad in DC. Spring is a great time to go, everything was bright and colorful and the temperatures were just right. I had so much fun going on all sorts of tours (including a one-on-one photo safari with a professional photographer as my guide) and eating delicious food. Photos from my guided photography tour are those of the White House, Renwick Glallery, and National Cathedral. These pictures have posted backwards (the last day of my trip to the beginning) so I'm going to tell this in captions and hopefully you'll get a good idea of what my trip was like. It was so difficult to choose which pictures to post so this is just as sampling of my four day adventure. My favorite sites were the National Cathedral and the Masonic Temple, Mt. Vernon is in close third. My favorite event was my photography tour. My favorite place we ate was breakfast at the Blue Duck Tavern (my mouth is watering just thinking about it). I have spent a total of 7 days in D.C. since I went to school in Virginia... I haven't seen the same thing twice and I still haven't seen it all!
The canon beds of Ft. Washington the first and oldest defense of the city. It was a flop, however, and now it's a National Park. One more off my list!
Dad and I on the drawbridge of Ft. Washington (it's an awful picture but the only one I have of my dad and I together).
Ft. Washington sits across the Potomac River from Mt. Vernon
The Library of Congress Jefferson Building. It turns out you can only take pictures in the main entry...that was unfortunate. A little random fact for you: the lighting fixtures around the library are exposed (light bulbs but no coverings or shades) because when the library was being built electricity was a new and exciting concept so they wanted to show it off.
If I lived in the D.C. area I would create a photo collection of doors and door knockers. Everything is so quaint and beautiful...nostalgic.
Two of these statues flank the entrance to the Masonic Temple. One has his eyes open representing light and the other closed representing wisdom....or vice versa...?
One of the many libraries in the Masonic Temple.
I'm sitting on the "throne" of the Grand Commander of the 33 degree of the Masons of the Scottish Rite...that's kind of a big deal. He only sits in it once every two years so I was sure he wouldn't mind my photo opportunity.
Temple room. The other side of the room is identical and just as beautiful. This is the temple of the 33 degree, which is the highest rite of masonry. Everything in the building is in some way connected with the number 33. 33 light bulbs on each chandelier, 33 chairs in the room, 33 carved on everything...you get the idea.
On the altar are the "Holy Books" of several common religions.
The foyer...it was only a little intimidating.
33 pillars.
Night tour on a double decker bus! I actually got some great shots thanks to a tip from my Photo Safari guide earlier that day.
Capitol Hill.
A monument to Christopher Columbus in front of Union Station.
Inside the National Cathedral
This is my favorite stained glass window in the cathedral. It represents space and the dark spot in the middle of the red planet is a piece of an actual moon rock donated by Buzz Aldrin who is an elder in the Cathedral!
Abraham Lincoln's statue sits below a breathtaking stained glass window that represents the fire of the Civil War. A statue of George Washington and a stained glass window of the fires of the Revolutionary war are opposite.
The National Cathedral
The National Cathedral
Glass art in the Renwick Gallery of American Arts and Crafts of the Smithsonian.
Thank you David Luria of Washington D.C. Photo Safari and thank you dad for arranging this opportunity for me.
The White House. My assignment was to use the tulips to hide the cars and people...not bad but I probably could have done better. This picture was taken in Lafayette Park where a demonstration concerning global warming was being held (complete with megaphones, posters, and TV coverage). Think green.
I didn't seen any cherry blossoms, I missed them by a week, but Dogwood blossoms and trees were everywhere. I hadn't seen a Dogwood blossom before this and I am stunned by how simple and beautiful they are.
Tulips from a garden at Mt. Vernon. I learned that George Washington had a botanical garden for experimenting with exotic plants!
Mt. Vernon. George Washington's plantation. He and his wife are buried on the premises each in their own sarcophagus. They were originally laid to rest in what is called the "Old Tomb" which is where the rest of the family, prior to Washington's death, is buried. In his last will and testament Washington gave specific direction as to the tomb in which his remains should be placed (measurements, location, materials...every detail, can you say micro-manager?).
A once in a life time shot! Thanks to "Big Al", our hilarious bus driver, for getting us ready for this photo on the way to Mt. Vernon. Thank you again to dad for making it all possible.
Leaving the Blue Duck Tavern after a delicious breakfast. My dad made this entire trip possible and made sure I was happy and comfortable the entire time. I loved spending this time with him and I'm so glad he's back in the states. It was my dad's idea for me to come out and visit to get away from the craze of wedding planning and school. It was such a great way to unwind. Thank you again and again dad! I love you!
