Washington, DC: Part III, The National Mall and the Smithsonian Museums | Eastern North Carolina Now

   In March, 2010 and 2011, I spent a few wonderful afternoons on the National Mall in Washington, DC, and inside a few of the Smithsonian Museums along that storied strip of mostly treeless ground between the united States Capitol and the Lincoln Memorial. One afternoon was clear and blue, and two afternoons were overcast, with one a real gully washer.

   Generally, I like being outside on the National Mall to walk about and just visually drink in the Greek Revival architecture, much of it inspired by the soulful suggestion of Thomas Jefferson, laid well upon the enduring line and artful curve within the city's design from the creative intellect of Pierre L'Enfant. The deliberate blend of the inspiring architecture fronting the 1.9 mile long park, with the seasonal and climate influenced light sources and associative color is a revolving feast for the eyes.

   Regardless of what the natural evolution of the day, I can always find a basket of special moments when I visit the heart of our nation's capital - The National Mall and the Smithsonian Museums. So it was on these fine afternoons in early March over two years.
Along that linear mall, on one of those overcast afternoons, from the Capitol and eventually the Lincoln Memorial, but east of the National Mall's midpoint is the Smithsonian Castle: Above and then below.     photos by Stan Deatherage
Sunday Afternoon, March 6, 2011, we emerge from the Metro station at the Archives / Navy Memorial on a overcast day just waiting for the gully washer to ensue. The subway exit at the Navy Memorial: Above. The National Archives across Pennsylvania Avenue: Below.     photos by Stan Deatherage
A different perspective of the the Capitol to East and the Washington Monument to the West, while visiting congressional members of the North Carolina delegation, here on Independence Avenue: Above and then below.     photos by Stan Deatherage
This map is of the west end of the Mall and how to get there by road. Click here to get a larger view of terrain and roads in this area of the District of Columbia.