Vermontcat goes to Washington (DC pics)

[Vermontcat]

I have finally finished going through all my photos from my vacation to Washington, D.C. so here are a few photos of the many things we saw.

This is the Smithsonian Castle.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/smcastle.jpg

We also went to the Air and Space Museum.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/airandspace.jpg

They had the original model for the Star Trek Enterprise in their giftshop.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/startrek.jpg

On the 2nd day we saw the Washington Monument.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/wmonfog.jpg

We also visited the World War II Memorial.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/ww2mem.jpg

We could see the White House from the top of the Washington Monument.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/whouse.jpg

We also saw the Lincoln Memorial from the top of the Washington Monument.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/ww2linm2.jpg

The fog finally cleared to a bright blue sky after we came down from the top.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/3bluewm.jpg

Lots more photos coming in the next post.

[Vermontcat]

The next day we saw a flying tiger in the Museum of Natural History.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/tigerup.jpg

We also saw a gold monopoly set there.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/goldmonopoly.jpg

We also went to the Museum of American History and saw some neat things like the original ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/rubyslip.jpg

The next day we went to the National Zoo.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/dczoo2.jpg

We saw the mom and baby panda but not very close up.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/panda.jpg
The baby is kind of hiding, maybe you can see his ear.

They also had a baby elephant out with his mom and dad.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/elephants.jpg

They had lots of pretty birds like this parrot.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/parrot.jpg

We also stopped by the Georgetown Mall to do a little shopping.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/gtmall2.jpg

Still more photos coming in the next post.

[Vermontcat]

The next day we visited the Memorials.

This is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/vvm.jpg

This is the Washington Monument as seen from the front of the Lincoln Memorial.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/lm2wm2.jpg

The Lincoln Memorial.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/lincmem2.jpg

A closer look at the Lincoln Memorial.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/lincmem3.jpg

Then we went to the Korean War Memorial.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/kwmem.jpg

There was a cute mallard duck hanging out in the pool by the Korean War Memorial.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/kwduck.jpg

Another view of the Korean War Memorial with the Lincoln Memorial in the background.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/kwmem3.jpg

Next we went to the FDR Memorial.
FDR and his dog Fala.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/fdrfala.jpg

A closer look at Fala.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/fala.jpg

Still more photos coming in the next post.

[Vermontcat]

Next we went to the Jefferson Memorial.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/jmwater.jpg

The Washington Monument as seen from the Jefferson Memorial.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/wmwater4.jpg

The Jefferson Memorial.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/jm.jpg

Inside the Jefferson Memorial.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/jm3.jpg

Then we went to the U.S. Capitol.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/caphill5.jpg

We found a duck and her ducklings by the reflecting pool.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/babyducks.jpg

The view of the Washington Monument from the reflecting pool.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/wmchview.jpg

Statue of Grant by the reflecting pool.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/horsestatue1.jpg

Looking back across the reflecting pool at the U.S. Capitol.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/caphill6.jpg

Still more photos in the next post.

[Vermontcat]

A fountain in the Sculpture Garden.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/fountain.jpg

A couple of ducks in the fountain.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/ducks2.jpg

We also went to the National Archives where we saw the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/archives.jpg

After we checked out of the hotel, we hopped in our Ferrari and drove over to Virginia. ;)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/myferrari.jpg

We saw the Iwo Jima Memorial.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/iwojima2.jpg

We couldn't get too close because they were working on the base of it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/iwojima4.jpg

We also saw the Space Shuttle in the Air & Space Museum by Dulles Airport.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/spaceshuttle.jpg

Another view of the Space Shuttle.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/spaceshuttle3.jpg

That's all the photos I have time for now.
I will have to add more photos later when I have more time.
I hope everyone liked their virtual tour of Washington DC.
It was a fun place to visit and there was so much to see and do there.

[Roxyluvsme13]

We didn't go to all the places you went! Your pics are MUCH better, too. P.S. Love your Ferrarri ;) (too bad it really wasn't yours :D)
I took over 200 pictures though :p. I wish we could have seen the Declaration, Library of Congress and all that stuff, but we did see the White House.
Oh, and I took a pic of the tiger, too, except from a different angle.

[Alysser]

WOW! :eek: What a wonderful trip you had. Im hope you had fun. Who wouldn't?! On a trip like that. I love Washington except for "The Mall" part. It always makes me upset and teary eyed. :( Either way, I enjoyed those pictures. Especially the Pandas whom I saw. But I never got to see the Baby. I saw the Declaration a LONNNNNNG time ago. We also went into the White house on a tour and to the place where they make the money. It was so much fun! :)

[Karen]

Excellent pictures, thanks for sharing! I do like that Fala gets her own statue!

[jazzcat]

Great pictures. Thanks for sharing them!

I went to DC for the first time 2 years ago last week end. We had a lot planned to do but it was cut short because my mother passed away while we were there. :( Your pictures kind of help to put an ending to my trip cut short. Can you believe I went to DC and didn't even see the White House?

We did get to see the WWII Memorial. It was a few weeks before the official dedication but it was complete. We visited it just hours after learning about Mom. It was very emotional because my Mom was so excited about me getting to see it and just the night before when I talked to her on the phone she told me to see it for her since she lived through that war. Sometime during that night she died. We couldn't get our flights changed to go home until the next day so we continued on with our sight seeing and you can bet the WWII Memorial was a priority.

Again, thanks for sharing the pictures.

[Suki Wingy]

Awsome pics, I really wish I could spend a lot longer there. Did you end up going to the WWI memorial?

[captain]

Great pics.

I never knew about the Vietnam Memorial - with all the soldier statues..... that is amazing.

Thanks so much for sharing. I am only sorry I never got to Washington when my friends were living there.

Thanks again.

[Killearn Kitties]

I'll bet you were all exhausted after that visit! Your pictures are great, but isn't it typical that the fog only cleared after you were back down to ground level. That always seems to be the way it goes.

What did Samantha think of Fala??? :D

[Cataholic]

Those are some great pictures. I, too, didn't know about all the soldier statues. Very moving, even in photographic form. Thanks for sharing.

What did Samantha do while you were gone? :D

[Samantha Puppy]

Glad you had a good time. Did you like the Museum of Natural History? I think that one is my favorite.

(I think we may take Aidan to DC for his first visit sometime this summer. It's only an hour away from us.)

[Edwina's Secretary]

DC is such a fabulous place to visit with so many things to see and do. I have been there (have a brother who lives there) and can never get enough.

The Vietnam Memorial is the Wall....with all the names of those who died....but no statues, right? The statues must be new (to me anyway.) Those are Korean War?

[ramanth]

I loved your photos! A trip down memory lane for me. :)

The last time I was in Washington D.C., Reagan was president! :eek: :D We toured the White House and shortly after leaving, Secret Service popped up out of thin air, a helicopter landed near the entrance and Reagan hustled over to it, waving to the crowd. It was pretty neat.

Did you see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier?

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

Sara, yes, the statues are the Korean War, and that seems to be the theme for Korean War memorials because there is one near Stevens Point, WI that has satues like this also. The statues are just a bit bigger than real men and women (about 8' tall?) and there's a reason for that, but I don't remember what the reason is. I love memorials like this.

I've never been to DC, but plan on making it there someday.

Great pics, Vermontcat! Looks like you had a wonderful - educational - visit! :)

[BitsyNaceyDog]

Wow, great pictures. I've never been there, Justin wants to take me sometime though. Justin's family all live in Maryland and a lot of them work in DC.

[emily_the_spoiled]

I am glad you posted the pictures. I know that we talked while you were in town, but at least I know for sure that you got to see some of the highlights while you were here!

This is one city where comfortable shoes are a must when you do all that walking ;)

[Vermontcat]

Thanks for all the nice replies everyone. :)
It will take me a few posts but I will try to answer all the questions and maybe post a few more photos too.
We still didn't have time to see everything in DC while we were there, we never got to the White House Visitors Center and we didn't get to see them make money in the Bureau of Printing and Engraving.(the line outside was too long)

Jazzcat (hugs), that must have been so hard for you.
Here's another view of the WWII Memorial looking down at the Lincoln Memorial.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/ww2linmem.jpg

Suki, do you mean the DC War Memorial that is near the Korean War Memorial? We missed that one because we walked around the tidal basin to the FDR Memorial instead.

[Vermontcat]

Captain and ES, This is the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the wall.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/vvm2.jpg

And here is a link to the newer Korean War Memorial which says the 19 statues were done by a sculptor from Vermont. :cool:
Korean War Veterans Memorial (http://www.nab.usace.army.mil/projects/WashingtonDC/korean.html)
You can even click on each of the statues on the link to see them in detail.
It says it wasn't done until the late 90's, the duck I saw there was in the newer Pool of Remembrance.

KK & Cataholic, Samantha was very good for her petsitter while we were away. :)

Samantha Puppy, yes the Natural History Museum was very interesting, my kids liked the animals, dinosaurs, rocks & minerals etc. There was a lot to see there.

Ramanth, we didn't see the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, we only had time to drive by the edge of the Arlington Cemetery after we stopped at the Iwo Jima Memorial.

Emily the Spoiled, it was so nice talking to you on the phone twice, you were very helpful. Even with comfortable shoes with all the walking we did we all had sore feet by the second day!

Now I hope to post the last few photos of what we did on our way back from DC to Vermont. :)

[Vermontcat]

After 5 nights in DC we drove over to Baltimore, Maryland to see Medieval Times!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/medtimes.jpg

It was a very cool Dinner & Tournament with beautiful Andalusian Horses and handsome knights.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/knights2.jpg
The knight our section was cheering for won, he was the cute one in red and yellow. He even tossed a flower to my daughter. :D

Here is a link with more info if anyone is interested, for me just seeing the horses perform alone was worth it but the whole show was amazing and we all had a great time there!
Medieval Times (http://www.medievaltimes.com/index2.htm)

[Vermontcat]

The next day we drove from Baltimore across Delaware to New Jersey.

This Memorial Bridge is either going into or out of Delaware, I forget which.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/bridge.jpg
Maybe Ginger's Mom can remember since she gave us good travel advice for that area of our trip.

We spent our last night of vacation in Ocean City, NJ. It was nice and quiet there because it was early for their busy season and it was a bit cool and breezy on the beach and boardwalk.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/ocbeach.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/ocbeach2.jpg

The Ocean City Boardwalk.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/ocboardwalk.jpg

One last photo of the kids collecting seashells on the beach.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v103/vtcat/DC%20trip/ocbeach3.jpg

Ok, I think that is all the photos.
It was a really great vacation but it sure is nice to be back home again. :)

[Laura's Babies]

WOW! The last time I was in DC was in 1989, that Korean War Memorial wasn't there, it is AWESOME too! I LOVE that Vietnam War Memorial Wall, they also have a smaller one in Pensacola, Florida..

I really enjoyed your virtual tour and the pictures were really GOOD quality shots!

[captain]

:rolleyes: :o

Oooops - sorry, I got the memorials mixed up ........
Thanks for the link. I will be taking a closer look now ...

Looks like you had a great time.