Washington D.C. Sight seeing

D.C. is a beautiful place for people that like history and big monuments. haha Walking around and getting to all of the monuments and memorials is no joke. Try not to pick the hottest day of the year to do this trip because you will be hot!! I showed my friends around D.C. at the end of March which was perfect because the weather was great and not to hot and the cherry blossom trees had just started blooming. They are scattered along the Potomac river and make the city just so much prettier. We took the metro from Alexandria to the Federal Triangle and started our quest to see as many memorials as possible. First we went to the capital which is located east of the Washington Monument. We walked along the National Mall passing the Smithsonian castle and stopping by the Botanical gardens which are right by the Capitol. So many beautiful flowers and plants or exotic cactus plants are displayed here.
After a quick break at the beautiful fountain outside the Capitol we made our way back west towards the Washington Monument. Unfortunately it was already too late to get inside of it. So we decided to check out the White house, snapped a few pictures and kept on walking towards the World war II memorial. It's a huge memorial for such a tragic and cruel war. After that we went by the Korean war memorial towards the Lincoln Memorial. From the top of the stairs you have a beautiful view over the reflecting pool of the Washington Memorial and the Capitol in the east.
Now we walked down to the Potomac River and made our way to the F.D.R. Memorial. It's tells the story of the president, his accomplishments and his family and dog. :-) After that we strolled even further along the Potomac until we arrived at the Jefferson Memorial. It may have been smarter to just drive here and stop for a second, but it was such a nice day for a walk.
On another day my friend and I went to Arlington cemetary. From the parking lot we walked over to the Women's Memorial or Women at war memorial. This is were all the pictures of the fallen soldiers of the Iraq war are displayed along with notes and flowers from their families. A very sad part of our trip. If this place doesn't touch your heart and bring tears to your eyes then nothing will.
Afterwards we went to the Kennedy grave and the Tomb of the unknown soldier all located in the cemetery. We watched the change of guard ceremony that takes place here.
On the north end, outside Arlington cemetery, we made our way to the Marine Corps Memorial. This is were the huge 78 foot high Iwo Jima statue is located. The flag pole rises 60 feet into the air and the flag has been flying here since June 1961.
This was the end of our site seeing tour.