The Mall in Washington, DC

Holly S. was able to meet me on The Mall in Washington, DC.  Since moving to Japan, I have realized that I do miss the ability to hop on the Metro and head down to see a museum or two in DC.  Monday, I took the opportunity to spend some time with Holly as well as visit some of the places I haven't seen for a while.  One of the places I had not been to before was the Freer Gallery of Art. This gallery has Asian art, Chinese, Korean, Middle East, Thailand and Japanese.  It's interesting to see Japanese art, that isn't in Japan. 

After visiting the Freer Gallery of Art, we walked past the Floral Library, which I never knew about!  Pretty interesting.   

Apparently it was a Tulip Library with a variety of tulips planted.  Thought it was interesting to have different flowers planted in this little area. 

Here are the multiple flowers in this library.

We continued along the Tidal Basin.  I could see the Thomas Jefferson memorial across the basin. 

There are cherry trees, or sakura, planted.  Some of these trees were a gift from Japan. 

Looks like Japanese lantern

As we walked along the Tidal Basin, we walked past the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.  I was there before, but it was opening day and very busy. 

"Out of the Mountain of Despair a Stone of Hope"

We continued along our walk to the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.  I enjoy this memorial because it's quite different from the others.  It is very wheelchair friendly, which would make sense since he was in a wheelchair for part of his life.  There are a few waterfalls which I think make it a peaceful place, which is ironic as he was president during World War II. 

This was taken across the basin toward the Martin Luther King Jr. 

See the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial?

Here is Washington, DC across the basin. 

The Washington Monument

We walked to the Korean Memorial.   

 We wandered past the reflecting pool and the Lincoln Memorial. 

Reflecting Pool

Lincoln Memorial

 The Vietnam Memorial tends to be hidden a bit, but it is interesting especially when you think of all the names on those walls. 

Vietnam Memorial

 It was on to the World War II Memorial.

Atlantic Side

Facing the Pacific side.  Love the fountains. 

Pacific side

We went to have some lunch at the Food Court in the Ronald Reagan Building and the International Trade Center.  I had a burrito from California Tortilla, YUM!  After lunch we went to the National Museum of American History.  Last time i was here it was closed for renovations.  I wanted to see what was new. 

The National Museum of American History entrance, The Mall side.

Didn't have a chance to really read what this was all about, but it had a lot of different vehicles.

Julia Child's Kitchen

Julia Child's Kitchen

1964 Ford Mustang

I did not get through the whole American History Museum and time was running short for me, but It looks like there was a lot more there and I barely scratched the surface. 
I am grateful that I was able to spend some tourist time in Washington, DC and spend time with friends!