United States Capitol building - October 22, 2018
Home the United States Congress and seat of the
legislative branch of the U.S. federal government.
Located on Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the
National Mall, construction started in 1793.
It is 288 feet high, and sits on a plateau 88 feet
above the Potomac River.
Washington Monument - October 22, 2018
The first city landmark I noticed when
I arrived in Washington D.C. in 1962
was this one, the towering
Washington Monument at the western
end of the National Mall.
It was visible from my windows. After
dark I could even see its flashing red
aviation warning lights
at the very top when lying in bed.
When I'm back in the city I realize
how omnipresent it is and probably
visible from many, many windows!
The Washington Monument, constructed 1848-1884,
was the tallest building in the world until the
Eiffel Tower was built in Paris.
It is an obelisk, 555 feet high, built to commemorate
George Washington, first President of the United States.
No building in Washington D.C. is allowed to be
taller than the monument. Climbing the monument
is no longer allowed, the 898 steps (50 flights each
with a resting platform) were causing health issues
for some visitors. I did climb it once, probably in 1963
when young, agile, and not thinking about
heart attacks!
The monument is closed until Spring 2019 as the
National Park Service modernizes the elevator
system - the original elevator ride to the top took
20 minutes - and also constructs a permanent
screening facility for visitors entering the landmark.
It is impressive, as is so much of Washington D.C.
We try to visit once a year as we have so many
memories of this city, having lived there, met there
and married there.
If you haven't visited, hope you can some day.
.png)
Apparently visited there with my parents as a toddler, which I clearly don't remember. Was there again with my youngest when we took a tour through several states before settling him in at college. That was 2 years ago and I recall the monument also being closed at that time. You got some great pictures!
ReplyDeleteCool. I didn't know you met your husband in Washington. It's rather grand, in an American sort of way.
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonderful place to visit. My favorites are the museums. Donna@gather
ReplyDeleteWow! Not sure I would want to take a 20 minute elevator ride inside the Washington Monument, but it would be special just stand there and see it from every angle possible. Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteIt is highly unlikely I ever make it to the US again after the one holiday in Florida I took in 1999, but I can at least get a glimpse of some places through your blog :-)
ReplyDeleteI can't believe they closed the stairs to the public because some people would not make the 50 flights... Should people not be able to know themselves well enough to decide whether that long climb is for them or not?
Apparently there were some heart attack issues - I suppose one never really knows when something that drastic might occur Meike.
DeleteWe are inclined to think only the elderly are prone but there are young people who also have unknown heart issues also.
Hope you will come back some day to see the other beautiful areas of this country very different from Florida, such as New England and the Rocky Mountains etc. - plenty of great hiking there for you and O.K. - and of course you must come to see our scenic North Carolina coast and mountains too!
Mary -
It looks like Washington has turned on beautiful weather for your special visit Mary!
ReplyDeleteThe Capitol building is a stunning piece of architecture.
I love your story about seeing the Monument from your bedroom window.... life must have been very exciting for you in those days!
xx
I have as yet not seen DC but would love to!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that the Washington Monument was the tallest building in the world until the Eiffel Tower was later built!