Days 8 and 9 of my road trip were spent in the nation’s capital.

route

The weather those two days was cold, windy, and rainy, but I made the most of my time there. To alleviate my exposure to the elements, I would stay outside for a little while and then find something to do inside somewhere. Then I would go back out, then find something to do inside. Etc.

This was my first time in DC since 2001, and I was amazed at how much of a fortress certain areas and buildings have become because of security concerns. Buildings like the White House Visitor Center and the National Archives that you once were able to simply walk through the front door are now protected by metal detectors and security screenings. Walking and stopping at high value targets like the White House, I always felt like I was being watched, especially since I was traveling alone. Such is the life in a heightened-security state.

But anyway, on to the photo tour. The U.S. Capitol from the southeast end:

capitol

The Statue of Freedom above the Capitol dome:

freedom statue

Inside the Capitol rotunda, a statue of George Washington and The Apotheosis of Washington:

rotunda

Inside the Library of Congress:

library of congress

Looking to the Capitol from the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court:

supreme court

The west side of the Capitol:

capitol

The Capitol fountain:

capitol

Sputnik I inside the National Air and Space Museum:

sputnik

The Washington Monument:

washington monument

The National World War II Memorial at night:

world war ii memorial

Walking up the steps to the Lincoln Memorial:

lincoln memorial

The Reflecting Pool from the Lincoln Memorial:

lincoln memorial

The Korean War Veterans Memorial:

korean war memorial

To be continued….

My “America: F**k Yeah!” Road Trip: