"It doesn't seem that far away."

As silly as it sounds, going for walks is one of my favorite hobbies.  Whether it be walking around my neighborhood, strolling down a country dirt road, or hiking through various forms of vegetation, I think walking is one of the best ways to explore your surroundings and bond with others.  One might imagine that walking is a primary form of transportation here in our nation’s capital.  I love it; I really do.   In D.C., I think many visitors miss out on the opportunity to walk the National Mall at night. On our first Thursday night together, a group of Glenn Fellows made sure that we wouldn’t miss out.

On our first Thursday together, we decided to take an impromptu stroll.  We weren’t sure how far we’d go, but decided that we should at least make it to the front of the Capitol building. 

Getting artistic: the view looking up
from the base of the monument

Once we made it to the front of the Capitol, we didn’t want stop just there.  After all, the Washington Monument didn’t seem that far away.

About a mile and a half later, we had made it to the monument.  After walking up the deceiving hill, we took our time taking in the view.  We could see the Capitol lit in all of its scaffolding glory, President Jefferson standing in his grand rotunda, and if you looked very closely to the west, you could see President Lincoln locked in a stare down, overlooking the reflection pool.

Although the Washington Monument may not have the most influential quotes or statue, I couldn’t help, but just look at it.  Especially at night, the 555ft obelisk invokes a feeling of unwavering patriotism.  We sat for a bit, in the calmness of DC, taking it in.  We may have been the only people there, but we were surrounded by the legacies of a few of our country’s greatest leaders and visionaries. 

The walk was an appropriate way to begin the semester and experience part of the awesomeness that is in our nation’s capital.  I think one of the best parts of the bonding experience was its sense of spontaneity. It really proved that we didn't have to arrange a grand plan in order to have a great time.

I’m definitely looking forward to more walking adventures.

Taylor Slivka