DC - Maryland - Virginia

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April 4, 2010 - Easter Sunday - National Cherry Blossom Festival

Today we went to Washington, DC. to see the Cherry Blossoms in bloom.
The weather was spectacle with sunny skies and temps near 80 degrees.

The blooming of the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin in Washington,
has come to symbolize the natural beauty of our nation's capital city.

The famous trees, a gift from Japan in 1912, signal Washington’s rite of spring
with an explosion of life and color that surrounds the Tidal Basin in a sea of
pale pink and white blossoms. (The blossoms peaked this year on March 31)

http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/

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Arlington National Cemetery


First stop Arlington National Cemetery Visitors Center to pick up our Vehicle Pass

Following the establishment of Arlington National Cemetery in 1864, the grounds were enclosed.
Several gates provided pedestrian and vehicular access. The main entrance to the cemetery was located where the McClellan Arch currently towers 30 feet above the roadway. McClellan Gate was completed in 1879. Original gate to Arlington National Cemetery, "Meigs" inscribed on it.

We stopped and visited two gravesites near The McClellan Gate. What a beautiful location.
Up the hill we could see the Arlington House (Custis-Lee Mansion) and out in front across
the cemetery horizon we could see the 555' 5-1/8" tall Washington Monument..

The Washington Monument was built between 1848 and 1884 as a tribute to George
Washington's military leadership from 1775-1783 during the American Revolution

We spent the afternoon riding around the cemetery looking at markers and monuments.

We stopped at the Confederate Memorial, The Rough Riders Memorial,
The USS Maine Mast Memorial, Pan Am Flight 103 Memorial Lockerbie Cairn.
and drove by The Tomb of the Unknown Soliders and Arlington House.

Ample paid parking is available to visitors, accessible from Memorial Drive near the Visitors Center.
The cemetery is also a stop on most tour guides' itineraries, and is serviced by Tourmobile Bus.

arlingtoncemetery .org

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Washington Parish Burial Ground - Congressional Cemetery


July 31, 2010
Sunny and Hot

Today we visited Congressional Cemetery in Washington

Congressional Cemetery is a historic cemetery located at
1801 E Street, SE, in Washington, DC. on the west bank
of the Anacostia River. There are 14,000 headstones and
over 55,000 people rest at Congressional Cemetery and
their stories are part of our American History.

Historic Chapel

Cell Phone Tour
202-747-3474

Walking Tour

J Edgar Hoover (1895-1972)
First Director of the FBI

John Philip Sousa (1854-1932)
Composer and U.S. Marine Bandmaster

Arsenal Monument

The Arsenal Monument is a memorial to the 21 women who died in
an accidental explosion at the Washington Arsenal on June 17, 1864

Lummi Nation Totem Poles
Liberty and Freedom

Green or Natural Burial Section

Congressional Cemetery enters its third century of service
The Cemetery is open during daylight hours for self-guided walking tours.

www. congressionalcemetery .org