Keeping On and Driving Through

I don't know how many times it's happened over the last 11 months or so, but every now and the I hit a stretch of asphalt or concrete that demands and approach that is quite a bit closer to brute force and ignorance rather than some metaphysical spiritual journey.  Today was one of those days.  The root cause of this feeling of restlessness was what I like to call work...the way I earn the write to carry on with the practice of walking.

Fortunately, I'd fortified myself earlier in the morning with a six mile jaunt around the National Mall in Washington, DC.  One of the great things about walking or jogging on the National Mall early in the morning is the stunning man made and natural vistas that are available for your (or anyone else's) viewing pleasure.  If you live in the area, I recommend it to your bucket list on a crisp fall day.  Sunrise over the Capitol Building is a beautiful thing.  There are also more than a handful of excellent examples of art and architecture to keep you observant after many a trip through the area.  Here are a couple of things I noted just this morning.

Monument at the entrance to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum

The following photo is an Google Auto Awesome version of the Capitol Building that was a great disappointment when it was delivered by "The Oracle" for my consideration to add it to my photo library.

Google's Auto Awesome Diappointing Effects Version of the Capitol Building

It really is a nice rendering in black and white, but here is a version of the original color version of this particular photo.

I am more partial to the color version of this photo...It has all the drama of the black and white version Google suggested and captures to dawn lighting in a way that more adequately represents the moment...C'est la Vie

I was actually taking this series at the time with the hope that Google would string together a panoramic shot which I have recently had very good luck taking the correct series of photos that trigger whatever software algorithm to put the "Pano's" together.

Left Side of Hoped for Pano

Right Side of Hoped for Pano

Stitched together, I think these would have made quite a striking view.  At any rate, as trying as the rest of the day was, this was a pretty good way to start off, and I'll give it another shot in the morning.  It will be the same route, but as I've stated before, when you put yourself in the way of beauty, it never really gets old and there is always something new and enriching to observe.

There are stories of weather and people that came out of today, but for now I'll leave them untold.  If all goes well, I'm sure I'll get another chance at both of those topics and it's getting late.  Till tomorrow.