A Monumental Day in Washington D.C. #17

From June, 2015

The final leg of our road trip led us to the East Coast and an unexpected stop at the nation’s capital of Washington, D.C. The long journey from Illinois through Indiana, Ohio and West Virginia was a strenuous one and we arrived with just an afternoon to see some of the world’s most famous landmarks. Research would've told us to park somewhere for the entire day to avoid the confusing one-way system and the $50 parking fine we received for parking too close to a fire hydrant. Absolutely mental.

The heroic work of George Washington – the first President of the United States – earned him the prestigious commemoration of the 169m (554 ft) Washington Monument completed 85 years following his death in 1884. The world’s tallest stone structure is surrounded by 50 U.S. flags – each representing one of the country’s states – and is located opposite the Lincoln Memorial in between the Reflecting Pool and the National World War II Memorial. The Monument was taller than expected and the significance of the much-loved historical figure was clearly felt when viewing the obelisk. The sight from the hill was quite remarkable and it is thoroughly recommend to anyone travelling to the East Coast.

We then walked down to the 11-year-old National WWII Memorial which had 56 pillars – each with a state’s name or a WWII-relevant area – surrounding a pool and fountain. I walked on and reflected in the pool that many President’s have used for their own self-evaluations. This led me to the incredible Lincoln Memorial; the exquisite monument of the country’s 16th President on a large seated white marble sculpture inside a majestic building. Just when I thought the view from George’s could not be beaten, old Abe goes and knocks him out the park! (Which is more than I can say for a certain baseball team…)

As you leave the western end of the National Mall – the national park location of these iconic structures – you pass the extraordinary Korean War Veterans Memorial which features 19 larger-than-life-size stainless steel statues of a Korean squad on patrol. The extraordinary 12,000m² (3-acre) Memorial Wall of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial lists over 58,000 names of servicemen and women. You can see your own reflection when looking at the wall to apparently ‘bring the past and present together’. The barely four-year-old Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial of the world-changing activist posing – arms-folded, looking onward and upward with great conviction – is the first time an African American has been honoured on or near the National Mall.

We soon found ourselves in the great National Museum of American History – one of the free-to-enter 19 museums apart of the Smithsonian Institution. We saw everything from Lincoln’s top hat to Muhammad Ali’s boxing gloves to Dorothy’s red slippers (there was also much more than clothes…) The United States Capitol building – the seat of the U.S. Congress – was unfortunately under construction, so it didn't quite have the same effect with all of its lovely scaffolding.

Desperate for a classic American sports game, we bought tickets to see the Washington Nationals baseball team play against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Nationals Park. Following an hour of driving struggling to find a parking space, we entered the turnstiles with 30 minutes of the match already gone. Missed out we did not, however. We were unlucky enough to witness the home team unable to make one run – let alone a home-run – as they were embarrassingly thrashed 8-0.

Despite the poor inevitable result seeming likely early on, the crowd stayed put, spirits remained high and the exaggerated bravado of the nation’s enthusiasm did not destabilise. Hot dogs, beers, burgers, nachos, corn dogs, fries, soda and every other type of fast food was overpriced, available and almost certainly in a fan’s clasp. The team’s mascots of former President’s with inflated heads raced around the pitch and Lincoln beat Washington in a tightly contested finish (not for the first time today). Colourful noises, commercials, t-shirts thrown into the crowd, quiz competitions and big-screen chats with attending dogs were prevalent throughout. After a quick late-night stop to see the flag flying above the glorious White House, we decided to leave Mr Obama to rest and we drove out of the city.

Before the game we went for a drink with my cousin who works in the capital and lives just across the Potomac River in the state of Virginia. Having seen her numerous times in the UK, it was strange to finally see her in her hometown. We had a great catch-up – although short-lived due to our solo night there – and she treated us to a much welcomed Pizza Hut and endless wine following the horrific baseball game. The four of us – including Rodney and his cousin – talked for hours before we had our pleasant final night of sleep – in her delightful apartment – with the drive to New York in the morning for our final U.S. destination. A last-minute overwhelming day of history, sport, culture and family in an exceptional city was certainly the best spontaneous decision made since leaving home.