Several days ago we packed up the in-laws and my cold germs and struck out on the road for our nation’s capital.  Not one of us had ever been, and considering Justin and I live a ridiculously-close 6 hour drive from D.C., we decided that now, while the air is brisk-not-cold and the leaves are golden-not-gone and the sky is blue-not-gray, would be the perfect time to lay eyes on the sites that until recently I’d only recognized from high school history books, the occasional news story, and rerun episodes of the Simpsons.

We took a night tour of many, many of the landmarks for which D.C. is known.  Here are my gut reactions to a just few of our Capitol’s most famous monuments:

Abraham Lincoln – Cold, intimidating, foreboding.  This is the guy who was supposed to be the chummy, honest Abe?  I realize that many people – especially Americans – especially male Americans – equate size with grandeur, but really.  This nod to our nation’s 16th president strikes me as almost… overcompensating.  You know, like the 52-year-old man with a comb-over driving the cherry red T-bird through rush hour traffic.  I mean, he abolished slavery, for crying out loud.  He doesn’t need a T-bird to prove his accomplishments.  It just seems to me that the Abe I knew – the one I learned about in elementary school – would’ve wanted to be more… I don’t know… approachable?

Taken with my phone’s camera.  Sorry.

Taken with my phone’s camera.  Sorry.

World War II – Beautiful, peaceful, symbolic.  Fifty-six pillars stand in 2 semi-circles surrounding a large fountain.  It represents the 16 million people who served in the military during the war, as well as the 400,000 lives lost.  I’d like to have lunch there.  You just have to see it.

Taken with my phone’s camera.  Sorry.

FDR – Touching, quiet, understated.  This was my favorite memorial.  It’s like walking through a timeline strewn with his quotes and different symbology and statues representing the tough times through which he led our country.  It was a truly moving display, and I’d like to see it again in the daylight.

Taken with my phone’s camera.  Sorry.

Taken with my phone’s camera.  Sorry.

Washington Monument – Phallic.  Need I say more?

If you’ve never been to D.C., I highly recommend a visit.  It helped me appreciate some of the things I learned in my history classes so long ago.  I just have 2 pieces of advice if you do decide to go:

1.  Don’t visit the Holocaust museum first thing in the morning.  It will definitely bring you down.

2.  Do ride the Metro – it’s public transportation at its finest, and the best way to study the locals in their natural element.

Taken with my phone’s camera.  Sorry.

Taken with my phone’s camera.  Sorry.