Reflecting Pool - Capitol Washington DC

The Reflecting Pool out in front of the Capitol Building in Washington DC.

One of the things I have noticed repeatedly is that tourists go into "rest" mode around the waters of the reflecting pool. The place has an impressive view of the Capitol Building, along with the nice line of trees and the statue of Ulysses Grant in the dead center of the wide open space, but between the waters rolling a bit and the ducks floating along, the tourists seem to slow down and relax from the visual effect. After marching about under a DC summer sun on top of all the pavement and sidewalk concrete, around monuments and the noise of cars, the picturesque setting in front of one of the crazier places of American life (referring specifically to the interior of the Capitol building) all the same is a pleasant and reinvigorating place.