DC in photos.
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I love being in DC. The history in and of itself is enough to put me over the edge. It is a powerful place - so much so that it is impossible to wrap my mind around just what an impact the decisions made in those few blocks have around the globe.
This year I Ashlie and Marirosa signed us up to go on the White House tour. And yes, when I was let through the gate after showing ID that I was really on "the list" to get in that day, I let out a big woo-hoo and skipped just a bit up to the ramp into the security room. My emotions come out in so many different ways. (Even standing in line I could not stand still - besides the fact that it was SO SO SO COLD - but I was so very excited to have the chance to go inside).
Inside what I loved seeing most were the portraits of past Presidents. Especially this one of JFK. I came home with prints of that one, this one of Washington, and this one of Lincoln to frame for Chris' office.
It was really cool to walk through the White House - many of the rooms are still used for meetings and dinners today. Awesome.
This trip also included visits to three monuments that I missed last year: Jefferson, Lincoln, and the Vietnam Memorial (need to leave some others for the next time I visit).
Here's some of my favorite photos:
Vietnam Memorial:
Jefferson: 
Lincoln:
And here is an example of just how cold it really was: 
And something else we all were touched by - this was at the gift shop where I picked up the portrait prints. It was a little photo show of people who have worked in the White House. It showed their position and the length of time they had been in that position. I wish I would have written down the photographers name - the images were amazing.
We finally escaped the cold with lunch at Sequoia. Beautiful restaurant right on the river with a view of the Kennedy Center and Watergate. Awesome lunch. Awesome time.
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57 comments
There is an absolutely AMAZING book about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, called Offerings at the Wall, ISBN 1-57036-174-6. The photos and stories in it will break your heart. My visit in 1995 was very, very moving as I had the name of a young man at our church to look up. It was incredible to find a familiar name carved in that wall, even someone I never knew, so I can only imagine how it is for visiting families.
I also remember the eternal flame at the Kennedy grave site...although it was probably WAY to cold to visit there this time of year. The frozen fountains is an amazing shot.
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if you ever come to boston, be sure to visit the jfk library. it will take your breath away.
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Incredible. Thanks for the photo tour. The prints are way cool.
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A-
THe photographer is Tina Hager ... i took a photo of the text just to remember the name. Shes one of the main white house photographers ... http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/07/images/20020719_d071902-515h.html
Love the photos!
A
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What can I say, but WOW! I had the opportunity to visit DC back in 1986 on my Junior Trip. It was fabulous then, and I can only imagine seeing it today. I remember the solomnness of The Wall, and the Tomb of the Unknowns. The White House is great, and I loved the few Smithoneons we were able to visit.
I would love to go back and see the WWII memorial, and to take my mom with me so she can see for herself just what a place it is.
Love your pictures, they are wonderful.
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I love D.C. My first time there was just this past November. It was so awesome. So very rich in history. I'm a history buff. I also purchased that photo of JFK and one of Regan for my dad. So glad you had a blast. Here's hoping I get to go back soon!!
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Where you not brought to tears by the Vietnam memorial? Oh, I get chills just looking at those pictures. Brings a swell of emotion to me that I don't even have the words to describe.
DC is such an awesome place. I can't wait to go back there. Glad you had a good time!
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can only imagine how excited you were....and i lurveeeeeeeeee that restaurant pic !
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So good to see your new post, DC is a fabulous place. Thanks for sharing it with someone so far from home.
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last week on "not your average travel guide" (which is probably on the travel channel, but I am not sure) they had a DC episode and there is a tour you can take called DC in photos- and the guide takes you through all of the sights, and shows you the best way to photograph them. I thought that was so cool.
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one of these days I'll get there!
great pix Ali!
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As someone who has lived in the DC area for over 10 years, I can say that I'm still in awe. I have yet to look up at the Capitol building & not feel an excited chill.
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DC is a great place! Love the photos. Thanks for sharing.
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Oh, wow! Lucky for you to take such a trip. I love DC and could go again and again - I actually did go 8 years in a row with 8th graders (not as bad as it sounds). There's just SO much to soak in and see at every turn. So glad you got the chance to go and experience and take pictures - AWESOME!
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what a cool vantage point for the restaurant photo! I just moved up to DC about 7 months ago, and I am loving all there is to see. SO MUCH stuff to do. For your next visit, I recommend going to the National Cathedral tp://www.cathedral.org/cathedral/
(gorgeous) and then having lunch a few blocks from there at 2Amys pizza http://www.2amyspizza.com/
...absolute HEAVEN. Also, Ford's Theatre and the museum there are super cool, too!
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Washington DC is such an incredible place. I know how much it influenced me and changed my life. I'm glad to see how touched you were, too.
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Thanks for posting those pictures Ali. I know that I have posted about this before, but I frequented DC when I was a kid with my parents. I have visited all of those places, so it was fun to see your photographs. Thanks for sharing.
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So, so beautiful. Washington DC is at the top of my list of places to visit someday soon.
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I too love DC. The power of it was lost on me for a while (too many field trips in elementary school - I grew up in VA), but I visited last summer with a child we had visiting us from Ukraine. Even though we couldn't share in words, he clearly knew where he was. The White House is exactly what it was designed to be - a symbol of power to the rest of the world. Even a 9 year old from a remote part of a foreign country was amazed to see it.
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looks like you and the gals had a great time. nothing like having some good friends along for the experience. I am so sure there are a ton of stories just waiting to be told! Love all the pics!
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