Washington Monument

Washington, DC (May 5, 2009) ..

Refurbished in 1999 and visited by over 800,000 people per year and rising 555' this obelisk is the highest free standing stone structure in the world. When first built it was the tallest man-made object but a few years later was eclipsed by the Eiffel Tower. The very tip is made of cast porosity free aluminum about 9 inches high and the east face is inscribed with the Latin phrase "Laus Deo" which means "praise be to God". This monument to Washington took 36 years to build and was completed in 1884.

For more info go to ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington_Monument
http://www.tms.org/pubs/journals/JOM/9511/Binczewski-9511.html

Ellen and I plan to revisit the monument during a night tour of Washington. They say it is spectacular when illuminated after sunset.

Photo was taken at f/4 1/1000 second.

Click to enlarge image ...