First, before you read, see these photos of the Washington Monument that we took. You may now resume your regularly scheduled entry. - Amy.)
Broad view, Heather:
![](/images/2003/columbia/washington_monument.jpg)
Close-up view, me:
![](/images/2003/columbia/flags.jpg)
We slipped away shortly after seven a.m., in more daylight than I expected for this early on the first of February. I took the first leg of the drive, slanting us east from Huntsville toward the sudden outcrop of hills just south of Chattanooga.