ShepAlders and American icons

I was thinking today about our nation and all the very cool places that are iconic to American history. Emily and I have been blessed to visit several of these places since the last Fourth of July on our trips to Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Boston and New York City. Here are a glimpse at a few of the famous places we've visited since July 4, 2009.

We saw the actual Declaration of Independence
(and resisted the urge to steal such a "national treasure.")
National Archives, Washington D.C.

Monticello,
home of Thomas Jefferson

Charlottesville, Va.

Mount Vernon,
home of George and Martha Washington
Mount Vernon, Va.


The Supreme Court building
Washington, D.C.


The U.S. Capitol
Washington, D.C.


The Washington Monument
(We went up to the top as well!)
Washington, D.C.

Beating the crazy, humid August heat in the shade
(with the Lincoln Memorial in the background)
Washington, D.C.

The Lincoln Memorial
(Em was inside the air-conditioned museum underneath)
Washington, D.C.


The Jefferson Memorial
Washington, D.C.


The White House
Washington, D.C.

The Pentagon
(after one of the coolest tours we've ever experienced)
Arlington, Va.


Independence Hall
Site of the Second Continental Congress,
which approved the Declaration of Independence in July 1776
Philadelphia, Pa.


Inside Independence Hall,
site of the approval of The Declaration of Independence
Philadelphia, Pa.


The Liberty Bell
Philadelphia, Pa.

The Statue of Liberty
Liberty Island, New York, N.Y.


Inside the crown of the Statue of Liberty
Liberty Island, New York, N.Y.



The Old State House
Site of the Boston Massacre
Boston, Mass.


Fanueil Hall
Marketplace and meeting hall founded in 1742
Boston, Mass.




The Old North Church
("One if by land, two if by sea")
Boston, Mass.