The Capitol

We are becoming quite the Metro users. I am impressed with it - clean, efficient, and cheap. Hope Seattle's version is this nice and is this well used.

We headed up to Capitol Hill and got our tickets for the Capitol tour. They have elaborate security for those entering the building. The tour was short and sweet (my kind of tour), but informative. What a building! One thing that has impressed me is most of these famous buildings have evolved, and have gone through many expansions, redesigns, remodels, and use changes over the years to the configurations that are familiar to us today. They were not always as we know them. And as you can see by all the cranes and construction, they are in a constant state of renewal. We were able to see the Rotunda, the newly-restored former Supreme Court Chambers, and the Senate Chambers. KR ran over to Doc Hastings' office before we came in and we were able to get tickets to the Senate Gallery. They hadn't yet adjourned for the Thanksgiving break, so we were able to see the Senate in session. Note the picture below of KR in the Capitol Rotunda.

Across the street from the Capitol is the Library of Congress. It has a very impressive outer "great hall" and a multi-storied main reading room. Probably my favorite building so far - but then again I do love reading and libraries. Below are pictures of the hall - absolutely stunning.

Another observation - these buildings are SECURED. Security everywhere. We walked through the National Botanic Gardens as we came down the hill in front of the Capitol. They were putting up their Christmas decorations. Several of the wings that I would like to have seen were closed for renovation.

Tired, very tired. We walked a long way today. I wanted to get off at the Pentagon exit and see the building. A Metro station is right on the edge of it and you can see one section, but they won't let unauthorized personnel get much closer than that. How 9\11 changed things..............