Traveling the 50 States with the Flat Littles: Washington, D.C.

 

The Ahrens family from Northern Virginia is back with more travels with the Flat Littles, this time from three key spots in the Washington, D.C. area. I grew up just outside D.C., so this area holds a special place in my heart and obviously, a lot of our national history also.

Their first stop is the Washington Monument. Growingup we always called this the giant pencil, but it’s proper shape name is an obelisk. It’s 555 feet (and 5 1/8 inches, if you want to be technical) tall and made from marble. If you look really closely, you’ll see three different shades of white in the marble. That’s because, the monument was begun in 1854, but not completed until 1884. The stoppage came due to lack of funds and began again twenty-five years later and finished five years after that. While the marble from two different quarries were originally closer in color, time and exposure to weather ultimately revealed different tones. The third color serves as an accidental dividing line between the first and second sections. For more interesting history on the Washington Monument, look here.

 

Next up, the Lincoln Memorial. The description from the NPS.gov site is so poetic, I wanted to leave it to them: ” ‘In this temple, as in the hearts of the people for whom he saved the Union, the memory of Abraham Lincoln is enshrined forever.’ Beneath these words, the 16th President of the United States sits immortalized in marble as an enduring symbol of unity, strength, and wisdom.” The Lincoln Memorial is the work of Henry Bacon, architect, Daniel French, sculptor, and Jules Guerin, muralist; each of whom is a part of American history in their own right.

And finally, the beloved home of George and Martha Washington, Mt. Vernon, which is about 15 miles south of D.C. in Virginia. Visiting is like taking a step back in time with interiors restored to their original appearance in 1799, more than a dozen outbuildings (some still functional), Washington’s tomb, gardens, animals, and more all in the idyllic setting near the Potomac River. If you’re interested in learning more, but can’t visit, check out the website. There is so much to do online (although even more in person).

The Flat Littles have been some fun places already and there are more trips to share! Want to travel with the Flat Littles to your local area or on a trip near or far? Shoot me an email at bethwatson115{at}gmail{dot}com.