End of an Era

Before we left DC for good, there was only one more thing we had not done but was on our combined Bucket List: climb to the top of the Washington Monument!  (And by climb I mean take and elevator.)  And now you, Gentle Reader, get to climb/elevate with us.

First, you'll look out the southern window at the top of the 551 foot tower, enjoying views of the great Commonwealth of Virginia, and our home at the time.

Next, move around to the easterly window, and view the Capital, Capital Hill, and the Park Service replacing grass on the Mall.  Thanks, Obama.

Continue around to the north, and enjoy a view of the White House and downtown DC at night.  Hi, Obama!

Finally, look to the west, over the World War II Memorial, the Reflecting Pool, the Lincoln Memorial, the Potomac River, the Commonwealth again, and see California waaaaaaaaaay off in the distance.

And now here are some more photos for your personal viewing pleasure, including an artistic view of the White House...  

...this stunning shot of the night sky, and America...

...and what the Washington Monument would look like if you were falling over.  

America. 

Richmond, One More Time

No, we can never actually get enough of the city of Richmond.  Or the campus of UR.  Or really most things down there.  So, we went back one more time.  

And hit up Hollywood Cemetery, too!  

End of 2014

2014 had to come to an end, regardless of how long it took me to post these pictures.  

We ended 2014 with a quick walk around some of the memorials on the Mall.  Plus, I got to play with my new Christmas gift, a fish-eye lens!  You get to reap all the benefits.