There is Treasure Everywhere: September 3 or Sunset at the Lincoln Memorial

As I walked home from work today I watched the geese flap around the Mall in an oval, as if they were flying laps to keep in shape. (They must have felt guilty watching all of the bronze body-builders bounce around the perimeter…Oh wait, that was me.) I tilted my face up toward the sun, watching the birds and basking in the perfectly warm air, and only one word could describe my state of being: contentment.

But, wait. Let me back up a bit.

Today began like most other days. I got up earlier than I wanted and had to force my west-coast-time body into submission in order to function. I got to work, and started researching Tesla Motors new all-electric sedan. (It’s pretty sweet. It’s called the Model S, and is obscenely expensive, but definitely cool.) Then at 9:45 I walked ten minutes down the road to the Library. The Library of Congress, that is. I went to a legal research seminar for a few hours. It was interesting, but mostly an exercise in not falling asleep.

I after going back to work for a few hours (more alternative energy stuff), I took my “lunch” break. Since I eat lunch at my desk, my “lunch” break is 30 minutes of “me” time. I can leave the office, walk around the city, and do whatever I want. The past few days I just picked a direction and walked for 15 minutes. Today, I walked for a few minutes, and then found a park bench in the sun and read for 20 minutes. “Mere Christianity.” I have read M.C. twice in the past two years, and I still can’t wait to read it again. It’s nice to have a deeply personal, spiritual book as a break from the world in the middle of the day.

Then, more work… and then, magically, I left the office around 5:40. Again, I was an agent unto myself. A free bird. A lone wolf. I could go anywhere (as long as it wasn’t Anacostia), and do anything (as long as it was open…most things aren’t after 5:30) I wanted to!

Almost overwhelmed with opportunities, I got on the metro to contemplate my options. Before I knew it I got off at the Smithsonian stop. I wandered up to ground level and found myself in front of the Museum of American History. I looked at my watch. 6:00 p.m. The museum closed at 6:30, so that gave me at least one medium-sized exhibit.

I went in and found an exhibit about a house that was built during colonial America (ca. 1770) and stood until the 1960s when it was almost demolished. The community rallied and offered the house to the Smithsonian. They took it, and reassembled it—fully—in the Smithsonian. Now there is a cool exhibit that surrounds the house and tells the stories of all of the families who lived there over the years—revolutionaries, abolitionists, immigrant laborers, and a widow with two sons fighting in WWII to name a few. Then, I popped over to the first lady exhibit (which was very crowded when I went before; I had to wait in line) to look at the dresses I liked. It was even better than before because no one was there! I was the only one in the room. Just me and Mary Lincoln’s dress and slippers. Then they turned off the power and kicked me out.

So there I was, back on the mall. Sauntering home on a beautiful September day. I was in no rush. I had nowhere to be. No one to see. I saw/heard the geese flying overhead, almost got hit by a stray baseball, and was passed by an average of 5 runners a minute.

It was approaching 7:00 p.m., so the sun was dyeing the white granite on all of the monuments orange. Finally, the photo conditions I’ve been waiting for! No drab white light! Brilliant gold, amber, and honey hues highlighting every corner of every stone!

The front of the Lincoln was packed as always, so I went around to the back. Success! No one was back there. I sat down and took pictures for about half an hour. My feet dangling over the huge golden stones, watching the city commuters cross the Potomac back home to Virginia.

Then, since I figured the security guards would kick me out if I trying to stay there forever (like I wanted to), I walked home. I soaked in every beautiful sunset-kissed sight on the way.

When I got home, I assembled a quick dinner, threw on some music, did my homework, read the news, and fantasized about a long weekend of sightseeing.

As much as I like walking home alone, in silence, the only thing that could have improved the situation was a good friend to share it with.

Oh wait… I guess I just shared it with you…. *wink*

The aforementioned geese flying (and honking) over the Smithsonian.

This quality of light made me feel like I was in a Jane Austen movie.

Nope, still in the 21st century.

Duck butts!

A view of the mall with better light.

The sun setting behind the Lincoln memorial. (It was beckoning to me. I had to take more pictures...)

This is what I found at the back of the Lincoln Memorial. Travel tip: no one ever goes to the back of the Lincoln Memorial. All the tourists stay up by where they can see the guy in the chair. But look what they're missing--a gorgeous sunset over the Potomac.