The Lone Sightseer

I left the conference skipping the final session. There wasn't one I really wanted to attend and I hadn't had any time to go see any of the sights. So my last session was over at about 11:15 and I headed out. Took the metro to a good starting point and walked to the National Mall. Started out in the sculpture garden and looked at this nice tree.
Then I started walking toward the Washington Monument. Shortly after this picture I ripped my headphones apart, so the rest of my day was largely silent (which helped my ipod's battery life to last through my flight home).
Up close!
White house from up on the hill by the monument. I didn't get any closer. You can't get overly close anyway, and there is a big fence around.
Right at the monument!
I then headed down the street and across to see the WWII memorial. Very pretty.
And made by GW!
Missourian Dork.
My feet were getting tired, so I stopped to reflect...(it IS the pool of reflection, you know...)
And watched some baby ducks.And smiled.
You can see what an awesome day it was! I was so HOT in my NTI shirt, but it had been barely 50 the 3 days before, so I didn't know what to expect, except that I needed to wear tennis shoes. Pretty.
Honest Abe!
At the Lincoln Memorial. So crowded and loud.
Korean war memorial.
Reverence.
Jefferson Memorial. It was a million mile walk as I went the long way around the lake. Dumb. Probably at least 2 miles.
Doesn't he look cool?? This is my favorite memorial by far. It's just so cool!
Standing by!
I walked around the lake the "short" way this time. Here's a pic from across the lake. Thought about paddleboating, but then thought better of it.
Reverence at the Holocaust museum. I would have had time to do the tour, but they didn't have tickets available until 4:15. Bummer. I just looked around a bit at some other exhibits and was on my way!
Capitol. I was tired at this point and didn't go any closer.
I was spent at the end. I walked from about 11:30 until 3:30....I walk pretty fast, so at a slow pace I probably averaged about 12 miles. Should have brought my nike+ipod! My knee is totally swollen today :( It was fun going all around. A bit lonely, but I didn't have to wait on anyone! I met up with my roomie Becca after this to give my subway pass to her husband to use for the weekend. Then I went to a place called Harry's and had a huge cheeseburger and fries and some cookies. I was tired and hungry! After that I went back to the hotel and chilled in the lobby until time to catch a cab to the airport.

After I ARRIVED at the airport my cabbie tells me he only takes cash and I only have 10 bucks. Woops. I had to go inside, down three floors and find an ATM to pay him. No wait, the story gets better. So I go get my boarding pass and head to the security check. I go through and of course, forgot to pour the water out of my camelbak from the day before. So I have to get my bag checked and go back out through the exit so I can pour it out. Then as I go BACK through security I get randomly selected for a pat down. Nice. I waited a couple of hours for my flight. We ended up being about 3o mins early getting home!!!

Well, that's my day!