For people living in the Washington D.C. area, the Capitol is just another landmark. Sometimes Congress gets work done here. Because of its elevated location on Jenkins Hill and its prominent dome, it can be seen, just like the Washington Monument, from many parts of town. One sees it on every trip into DC when going somewhere around the National Mall. Why not do the obvious? That would be going inside to the Visitor Centre for a tour. Very interesting and recommendable. Why not do the super-obvious? That would be to walk a circle around the Capitol. There are nice views to be had, especially looking down west towards the Lincoln Memorial and over to Arlington. One day, after we were through the Library of Congress much quicker than planned, we did just that. It´s a really nice walk, and with the many stops at various Monuments and Statues, or to just look at the many visitors that hang around the steps of the grand staircase on the familiar west side, it can even turn out to be a long walk. It´s certainly one of those things that one wants to do any day in the future, but just not now and today. I´m around, it can wait, it´ll still be there next week, next month, next spring, next fall... So, off we went.

Starting the walk next to the Library of Congress on East Capitol Street.

This picture was obviously done on another day, but I had to include it because of the view

down towards the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.

The area is nice and green, almost like a park. Since the Capitol is the House of the American People it cannot be closed to the public. Naturally security has been beefed up, there is always a camera somewhere in and behind the bushes, so keep smiling and waving. The NSA and the Capitol Police like friendly people. 

The famous west side where the inaugural speeches of the newly elected Presidents are held.

A gloomy view down the National Mall. But the mood of the tourists around

was actually good and cheery.

When walking back towards the starting point, one comes past the Supreme Court,

an impressive neoclassical building.

Full circle, back on East Capitol Street.

More pics of the Capitol and of Washington D.C. here