The Mall and The White House

We thoroughly loved Washington and would like to go back as there was too much to see and do in the short time we had there.

Walking from Lincoln Memorial up The Mall towards Capitol Hill.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Eerie reflection on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial  - rain/dull sky's

Standing in the World War 2 Memorial

The Washington Monument - closed because of the earth quake in 2011. Geese in the foreground.

The White House - 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. Construction started in 1793 on the original House that was burnt by the English in 1814 and was rebuilt and completed in 1817 -  it has had many additions/alterations since.  

Barack Obama was in residence for the Inauguration so there was lots of security, surprising how visible the building is. Michelle Obama's famous veggie garden was just to the left of this lawn in full view also.

  

Walking up Pennsylvania Ave which was being prepared for the cavalcade - public stands and banners.

On the steps of Jefferson Memorial

Thomas Jefferson's Memorial

Thomas Jefferson Memorial 1743-1826 3rd President of US.  He wrote the Declaration of Independence in 1776 (13 American colonies, then at war with Great Britain, regarded themselves as independent states and no longer a part of the British Empire).  In this document is one of the most famous statements made 'We hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness'.

Criticized by many modern day scholars over the issue of slavery (he had many), he remains rated as one of the greatest US Presidents - he was the 1st Secretary of State under George Washington, United States Minister to France, spoke 5  languages, was a great scholar and established the University of Virginia.

On our last night in Washington we headed out to the historic water front George Town on the Potomac River lots of pretty red brick buildings decorated in patriotic flags and real Christmas wreaths. The area was the hub of nice restaurants and shops. We had dinner at the atmospheric J Pauls Saloon and Bar  - crab cakes and apple fritters yum!