A is for... Adams Morgan, Arlington, and the Armory

It's Day 1 of the A to Z blogging challenge!  This is my first year to participate, and I'm pretty excited (we'll see if I'm still this energetic when I hit X and Y, the two letters that are currently giving me fits...).  Anyway, my theme this year is Washington, D.C. I lived in Bethesda (a suburb to the northwest) for 6 years, and loved it. Since my books are set in D.C., I thought it would be nice to explore the city so readers who've never been can form a mental picture.

Ready?  Here we go!

First up is Adams Morgan, an area known for its night life.  This is a stretch of several blocks chock full of shops, bars, and restaurants, and come nightfall, it's always packed.  This is D.C.'s version of a melting pot, and it has a pretty interesting history.  The only downside to this neighborhood is that the closest Metro station is quite a ways away, so if you're going for a night out, be sure to wear comfortable shoes (trust me on this!).

Adams Morgan in the daylight

The next stop on our tour of A's is Arlington.  Not only is this a Virginia city just across the Potomac river, it's the site of Arlington National Cemetery.  Known for rolling green hills dotted with white tombstones, Arlington stands silent sentinel over the city, reminding everyone of the sacrifices made on behalf of others.

Arlington on Memorial Day

Finally, The Armory.  This is the home of D.C.'s National Guard, and it also serves as a venue for sports and other activities.  It's a big, hulking building, and it plays a part in Book 2. :)

D.C. Armory

So that's it for today.  Have you been to D.C. and seen these sights? Did I leave out an important 'A'?  Comment and let me know! :)