Seat of reflection

It was another hot day when we left the hotel but we decided to take a cab out to National Zoological Park which is another part of the Smithsonian. While it's one of the oldest zoos in the United States, founded in 1889, its mission is to provide leadership in animal care, science, education, sustainability, and visitor experience. The park was extensive and I was really impressed with the space and treatment the animals were receiving. While I know a zoo can never replace their natural habitat it was clear that the animals were really well looked after and the enclosures and grounds were large and clean. My favourites were the Giant Pandas and the Armadillo and it was a great day looking around. After a quick break at the hotel we decided to have dinner at the Old Ebbitt Grill which is Washington's oldest bar and restaurant and I indulged in some more pan seared scallops.

We then walked up to the Mall as we wanted to see everything lit up at night. After seeing the White House we walked down to the National World War II Memorial which was quite moving to see. We carried on along the Reflecting Pool and could see lighting forking through the sky above the Lincoln Memorial as we approached. The forecast had said there was a high chance of thunder storms all day and we had been lucky so far but a few steps forward and the gentle first drops of rain started and it was umbrellas at the ready. After taking a couple of pictures we made our way up the steps of the Memorial and the heavens opened with a huge downpour soaking everyone. It was great to finally see the statue of Lincoln close up and look out from in front of his seat across the Mall to the Capitol Building. The storm was raging and everyone took a seat around the statue to wait while the rain the eased off. It was a strange place to get caught and we stayed about an hour until 11.30 when we decided to make a break for it in the rain. We dashed down the steps to another shelter to get a cab but none drove past. It was another twenty minutes before a cab finally pulled over to get us back to the hotel.


Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC