A road trip across the US, from New York to Los Angeles, can be completed in as little as 3 days, or at a more snail like pace if time is on your side. I opted for somewhere in between and devised a plan that spanned 10 days of driving and sightseeing. In hindsight, this resembled the European-city-sampler cruise ship itinerary my husband and I experienced last year. Trust me – you cannot see Rome in a day. Same goes for Washington DC, Charleston, New Orleans…
Nevertheless, a cross country trip is a journey I would recommend to you, readers, despite its inherent double edged sword. The cities leave a lasting impression – they inspire you long after you’ve left, but you will yearn to return and explore them some more.
I’m so grateful for what I’ve seen, and would like to share some thoughts, scenes, and experiences with you. I hope you’ll enjoy.
On the road
PART ONE: WASHINGTON DC – A DAY IN OCTOBER
Cloaked in vibrant autumnal colours underneath an overcast sky, the moodiness and architectural beauty imparted by the US capital on this particular day felt very Parisian; it looked as if Washington DC had fashioned itself on the City of Light. Walking through the grounds of its vast Mall, lined on either side with elms shaded yellow by the season, I was reminded of the Place de la Concorde but without the car traffic. Here, in place of Paris’ Obelisk, the Washington Monument dominates the landscape.
These grounds served the military during the Civil War. Today, The Mall is anchored by the Lincoln Memorial at one end, and The Capitol Building at the other. The Smithsonian museums, galleries, and memorials – along with tourists – are scattered in between.
The images below focus on the Western end The Mall, where we spent a number of hours at: The Lincoln Memorial, The Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial, the World War II Memorial, and the US Holocaust Memorial Museum.
TRAVEL TIP: To save money, stay outside of DC and avoid high hotel and parking costs. We stayed in Arlington, Virginia – I scored a great deal at the Hyatt through Priceline.
It took about 20 minutes to get to the heart of The Mall via subway, including waiting time. The method of buying a Metro ticket seemed nonsensical to us at first, so ask for help to save those precious few minutes if you’re in a rush.
World War II Memorial
From WWII Memorial, looking to Lincoln Memorial
Lincoln Memorial
Looking towards the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Names inscribed on the wall at Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Inside the US Holocaust Memorial Museum
US Holocaust Memorial Museum
We love travelling to DC ourselves. It is good for all of us to see our America through the inspirational monuments in our nation’s capital. Alesia
I agree! Capital cities are sometimes overlooked but certainly not Washington DC. I look forward to a return trip! Glad to share the experience with you. Thanks!
So happy you were able to get there!! One of my favorite places I’ve lived!!!
I know – it took us a long time to get there but we made it to DC for a day and night. I’ll post more words and photos from Georgetown soon! What a great experience to have lived there! Thanks Steph!
Great to see you back on blogging, Marina, great post
Thanks so much Cornelia. I hope to get back into a regular groove. It’s all good though – glad to be here even with the rain!
A beautiful post, and beautiful pictures too.
Thank you Shimon. It brings back alot of memories, to look through these photos.
Poignant and beautiful. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks so much Gabriele. I’m so glad you enjoyed!
A smashing post Marina with some lovely photos.. looking forward to part 2
Thanks so much Adrian! It’s quite the task to filter photos but I’m reminiscing as I go through
Great post and love the pics!
I appreciate that Karen – thank you! Glad you enjoyed this post!
Marina, I find the way these images relate to each other very interesting and beautiful. Not just pictures of a place but a real essence of place and its meaning. Very artistic.
Thanks Karen! I am so happy the images evoked a sense of place. There was so much to absorb – it’s a great city. Your comment is lovely
Thanks for this post Marina. I’ve lived in DC for many years and now being so far away and looking at your beautiful images, so many great memories came to my mind. Love DC!
That’s such a compliment, especially since you’re a former resident – thank you Alicia. I can’t wait to return to DC to explore and uncover more of it. I have some more images coming in a post to follow
Marina, I have so much to catch up on with your road trip series! (We’ve been busy unpacking these past weeks, in Germany.) Love your black & white imagery (especially the Lincoln Memorial shot), and look forward to sharing in more of your adventures soon.
Tricia! How are you? You must be happy to be back at your home base, in Germany. Thank you so much for taking a look at the post – I thought the black and white suited this image and I am glad you agree! Keep me posted on your plans and how you’re doing!
Nice post. Need to go back to DC one of these days. Perhaps next April
Hope you are settling down nicely in lala land
Thank you! Next April would be Cherry Blossom season? Not a bad time to go I am sure
Thanks for the well wishes – I love LA and am really happy to wake up every morning on this beautiful West Coast.
Very cool! I have always wanted to do that one day… Looking forward to your adventures in images…
Thanks – and I highly recommend a road trip. Hope you enjoy the upcoming posts!
What a grand trip- looking forward to more, Marina!
Thanks so much! Look forward to sharing
Road trips are indeed a great way to see the world. Yes, you lose some in being on the move all the time, but on the other hand you gain some different and profound experiences. I have always loved road trips. Just moving on without necessarily any itinerary. Those pictures from Washington DC are all great, with good colours and catching composition.
Thanks Otto – I always feel that it is better to see a little, than nothing at all. It’s all a matter of perspective. I appreciate your words about the photos – I hope these photos tell a kind of story.
Oh, you were there at such a good time. Fall and spring are the best in D.C. Gorgeous sunset photo!
The timing was beautiful – the trees really brightened up the landscape. The sunset photo was taken between SC and FL – and it looked just like that. Straight off the camera! I was in awe. Thanks so much!
That’s beautiful! I love your pictures. Washington, D.C. was designed by a Frenchman so it’s funny that you found that at times it feels like Paris.
Thanks so much Gerard! Your comment is lovely. Well, the French appeal is definitely there. It felt good to reminisce!
A lesson of history. Another excellent post, Marina!
Thanks so much! Hope I didn’t overdo the history
I always learn something new from your post
Thanks K! That means alot to me!
Great photos, Marina! I believe we also stayed in Arlington on one our trips as well.
Sorry I have not visited your lovely blog for a while. Thanks for your patience as I will still be a less frequent blogger for a bit.
Arlington is close enough not to worry about parking, hotel rates etc. It’s good to have you back fergiemoto. Hope you’re well and please come visit soon