Wednesday, September 11, 2013

September 11, 2013

It's hard to believe it's been twelve years since that day on September 11, 2001.
I don't think any of us will ever forget where we were when it happened.
Or how we found out what was going on.
I know I won't.

I mentioned in another post that we spent a week in Washington, DC at the beginning of August.
When we made it down to the mall area, this sight greeted us.
The Washington monument covered in scaffolding. Only due to earthquake damage though which is bad enough.
And then we went to see my favorite...Lincoln's Memorial.
More scaffolding. Really?! Some woman had thrown green paint on it. Ugh. But then I think, it could have been worse.
So I focused on the positive. I haven't been to DC in twenty years. I visited in the summer of 1993 with my family and a few friends. And one of my favorite memories from the trip is the night we went down to see the monuments after dark. Pretty late actually. I think it was after 10pm for sure. So the crowds were much lighter and it was so peaceful.

Mike and I decided to give it a try even though Evan and Erin are so much younger and typically are in bed before 9. :)
And it was just how I remembered.
 There is just something so peaceful about being there at night.
Words cannot capture just how it made me feel to be standing there once again enjoying the evening  breeze blowing through the memorial just as I remembered it.
Then there is the beautiful glow of the Washington monument despite the scaffolding.
And my favorite.
We had visited during the day. But it is so much more magnificent at night. During the day as you walk up, you really can't see Lincoln until you get inside. But at night...
he is waiting like an old friend welcoming you home. And silly as it seems, I had tears in my eyes as Evan and I walked up toward him sitting there so majestically.
No, there is nothing like visiting the mall in Washington, D.C. at night. :)


22 comments:

  1. Beautiful photos, Mary Jo! I especially love the one at night.

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  2. So glad that such fond memories came back to you during your night sightseeing! I've seen the WWII and FDR memorials at night and they are stunning as well!

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  3. DC is beautiful!! I remember the one time I got to go -- they had drained the pool for repairs ... I was like, THE ONE thing I wanted to see and it's empty ... but like you said above, you gotta remember the positive .... at least I got to go there, even for just a day :)

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  4. It certainly is a day for reflection today, for all of us... What a wonderful place Washington DC is, would love to see the Lincoln monument one day - thank so much for sharing your photos. Hugs, Anne x

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  5. Fabulous photos. I have gone to DC a lot through work and always drag er take someone along and one of the things I insist on doing is the night tours, there just isn't anything like it. Funny though there always seems to be scaffolding on the monument due to earthquake damage. I just wonder if it's going to be a permanant addition at some point.

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  6. Wow...so pretty at night! who knew!? Seeing the monuments at night will be a priority next time I'm there.

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  7. I was in DC for the first time in October of 2011 for a public health conference with a bunch of my grad school friends. We went walking around the mall and monuments at night as well and it was breathtaking. I finally printed some of my photos from that trip that I will be putting into a mini album. It really was peaceful to walk around at night and see the magnificence of it all. Thanks for sharing this photos. They are beautiful.

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  8. I don't know. I think the scaffolding looks kind of regal on the Washington Monument when it is all lit up like that, but then again I'm the odd one. Beautiful photos.

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  9. I'll never forget where I was or how I found out either ~ none of us will. What a tragic and profoundly sad day for our great country.

    On a brighter note, I love your pictures. Even if the monument was covered, it's still a beautiful site. I love DC and my favorite tours are the night tours!!

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  10. Wow! We were in DC the same day. My oldest was so upset by the graffiti on Lincoln. Hope you had a great trip otherwise.

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  11. IKWYM! I cant believe its been 12 years a day I will not forget!
    Love the picture you shared of DC sounds like special family getaway!!

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  12. I have never been there and your pictures were a delight to view.
    You captured the feeling you described about the Lincoln Memorial!

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  13. Beautiful photos, I have never been looks amazing!

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  14. Back again. My neighbourhood is not really set up for walking out for errands either. I can walk to a coffee shop, the pool and arena, and a building supply store...that is about it. But there are lovely places to just walk in my neighbourhood.s so no excuses anymore for me!

    My daughter lives in a newer area...built with shops to walk to within a mile. Once I get down the hill to the first shopping plaza, then it is only a few more blocks to my 2 favourite scrapbook stores and then a few more blocks to Michaels and HomeSense...so you can see I have plenty of motivation and fun errands!

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  15. Back again. My neighbourhood is not really set up for walking out for errands either. I can walk to a coffee shop, the pool and arena, and a building supply store...that is about it. But there are lovely places to just walk in my neighbourhood.s so no excuses anymore for me!

    My daughter lives in a newer area...built with shops to walk to within a mile. Once I get down the hill to the first shopping plaza, then it is only a few more blocks to my 2 favourite scrapbook stores and then a few more blocks to Michaels and HomeSense...so you can see I have plenty of motivation and fun errands!

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  16. I have never been there and your pictures were a delight to view.
    You captured the feeling you described about the Lincoln Memorial!

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  17. I have never been there and your pictures were a delight to view.
    You captured the feeling you described about the Lincoln Memorial!

    ReplyDelete
  18. I have never been there and your pictures were a delight to view.
    You captured the feeling you described about the Lincoln Memorial!

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  19. I'm so glad you were able to share your evening DC memories with the kids! I'm sure Evan loved it and Erin too ;)

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  20. This is so beautiful at night! I never thought of going there in the evening, but it is stunning! Thank you so much for sharing the pictures :)

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  21. Beautiful travel pictures, I have now added DC to my list :-)

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