Washington Monument Illustration by Jonathan Chapman

No.18 of my 2018 world series challenge is the Washington Monument.

The Washington Monument is an obelisk on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. It was built to commemorate George Washington, the first President of the United States. The monument is constructed from marble, granite, and bluestone gneiss. It is both the world’s tallest stone structure and the world’s tallest obelisk, standing 555 feet 5 18 inches (169.294 m) tall.

Washington, DC’s famed cherry trees grow in three park locations: around the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park, in East Potomac Park (Hains Point), and on the grounds of the Washington Monument. Approximately 3,750 cherry trees are on the Tidal Basin, most of them of the Yoshino Cherry variety.

This was the place that inspired my fascination with cherry blossom. I was lucky enough to visit many years ago during the Spring and there’s something truly magical about it. The contrast of pink on powder blue skies seems unique to D.C. and this image of the Washington Monument plays on those pastel shades. I’d certainly take any opportunity to return here and sit along the banks of the Potomac River with my sketchbook.

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Next up: No.19 – Uluru / Ayers Rock, Australia