In & around Washington D.C.

I recently traveled all the way to Washington D.C. And while it wasn’t my first time in our national’s capitol, I hardly remembered my first trip. This trip I remember it all. The good, the bad, the ugly.

So here’s the 411 on my version of DC: A Gluten Free Girl in the City!

I left my West Coast desert digs for a week long adventure in among the monuments. For those that have not yet ventured to the majestic place that is Washington D.C., it should definitely be among your bucket list items. Between the impressive history of the great United States of America, the display of artworks, masterpieces and unforgettable (and unfortunate) world wide events… you’ve really got it all at your fingertips… for the price of a good pair of walking shoes.

If you don’t care about history, art, world events, or anything other than yourself.. save your money and the rest of us the headache and STAY HOME. Because this city is all about awe. And lots of steps in between.

The WHITE HOUSE

Washington D.C. is so so so much more than the orange guy it’s a toupee. And (while I don’t remember the Smithsonian museums being free before) the Smithsonian Museums are FREE. FREE! It’s free to educate yourself on life, history, and the amazing things that we all take for granted.

The US CAPITOL BUILDING

You may not be able to go into the Capitol building on the fly, but the front steps are still monumental. Next trip I will for sure schedule a tour with my Senator/Representative. Because I want to see inside where the words become iron penned into history.

The WASHINGTON MONUMENT

You can almost see Washington’s monument from anywhere remotely near the city.

Besides it being pretty recognizable as the random concrete pointy thing all by its lonesome… it’s also HUGE. And to think people built this FOREVER ago. The Monument was not open during my trip, and the public isn’t allowed on the stairs. However by now the elevator should be fixed and the ability to go up in the monument is now available. I’m good on the ground… But for those thrill seeker history buffs, have at it.

The LICOLN MEMORIAL

The majestic nature of his memorial has always been my favorite. After this trip I have a few new favorites that just leave me speechless. But Abe & his boot are still a childhood favorite of mine.

From the outside views, to the sheer impressive nature of his monument… It’s something to behold. If you are in, around, or near D.C. make sure to swing by and say hello to my friend Abe!

But if you go in peak tourist season… be prepared to SWEAT. And wait for photos. Sneak in where you can! 🙂 (Without being rude of course).

He is also so amazing to see at night!

We had lunch at the ONLY food place near the Lincoln Memorial… maybe that’s why the trash load is so low… there is literally no close place to eat once you start your trek through National Mall. YIKES! Next time snacks and water!

MARTIN LUTHER KING, Jr.

Just W.O.W. This monument was not built the first time I came to D.C. But man… it is just so amazing. Granted I saw him at night… perhaps that is what made it sooooo much more moving. But Dr. King’s presence is “felt” at his place of celebration. He may have a street in almost every city I’ve been to. He may have a day to celebrate his movement. He may have a famous speech. But this carved stone help visitors to just feel his presence. Feel his words. And leaves you wanting to go out and do good in this broken world. Way to go team that put that monument together… and way to go Dr. King for leaving one hell of an impact.

The monument is an incomplete statue of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr from the Hope rock (two pieces on either side not pictured) surrounded by his words etched into the walls of this place. He looks out over the basin, overseeing Thomas Jefferson & Lincoln’s Memorials.

This man, he fought and died for the promise of something greater. And he probably cries at the state of his beloved country today.

The Thomas Jefferson Memorial

The memorial was under construction during my time… much like several of the others. But TJ was still open to the public. By the time we walked from the Capitol, through National Mall (Smithsonian museums, Washington monument) and made it to Lincoln my dogs were barking. And I was beat. We elected to scooter to the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. I used to judge (yep, I’m a judger) people that scootered… Usually because some JERK almost ran me down on the sidewalk. BUT once I experienced the scooter… I have a new found love for them. Umm. Don’t get me wrong. if you are a nuisance then you should be cut from the riding brigade. But it made my experience of the memorial so much more awesome.

So Thomas Jefferson is across the basin from Lincoln. And in between these two monuments are the MLK and FDR monuments. The FDR memorial is the first memorial to be built with disabled individuals in mind.

Because of the Thomas Jefferson memorial being more out of the way from the routine pathway, less visitors appear to come to visit TJ than the monuments along the mall.

But he is still a sight worth seeing, and a detour from the mall worth taking.

WAR MEMORIALS:

Marine Corps Memorial – Arlington, VA

Korean War Memorial

World War II Memorial

All of these memorials and the many others I have yet to photograph are memories of the lives lost, and those changed forever. May God blessed all of the souls that have not yet found peace (both on this earth, and those in between) such that they may find the peace that heals their souls, and the quiet their minds need.

ART, HISTORY, & Remembrance

I may not be an art history buff, but I can recognize a few famous paintings. Here are a few paintings, skeletons, and things I enjoyed while wandering the National Mall and Smithsonian Museums.

While my blog does none of these justice on it’s own… hopefully they bring you, my reader, some enjoyment until you can visit on your own!

But word to the wise… If you are GF and in the City. Plan to BROWN BAG your meals. Because heaven help us, but our nation’s Capitol is SO behind the times on Gluten Free-ness it’s not even funny. I was horrified and shocked that whenever I asked anyone about GF options they gave me a sheepish look (or just plan BLANK look) and had nothing to help sort out menus. SO lesson learned. BROWN BAG IN THE CITY.

But the trip was great none the less. Hope yours is fun as well!

Happy Travels,

Nattie