Yesterday afternoon I went to the National Mall in Washington D.C. to see the original flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the national anthem. I thought about how horrific the whole experience must have been when I visited Fort McHenry a few days ago, and it was really nice to have the whole thing come full circle.

I decided not to bring my iPod and to hear the city streets as I walked. I enjoy settings of tranquility and peace, yet the sights and sounds of the masses are something I can appreciate in small doses – it certainly ups the ante in terms of people watching. I walked down 15th street from Columbia Heights toward the Mall, and for all anyone would know from a photograph, it was a summer day.

I also checked out the exhibit on Thomas Jefferson’s Bible – he created his own – and I found it rather interesting, especially given the idea that church and state should remain separate. Story and photos to come.

I’ve been saying for a few days that it’s going to be an early spring, and I found some proof of that yesterday in the Nation’s Capital: