Washington Monument as a beacon.
The National Mall buzzes with activity most of the time. People of all ages and many ethnicities gather to picnic, exercise, or visit the Smithsonian museums.
But sometimes I can go there and find a scarcity of humans, typically in the early daylight, with the only "buzzing" being that of certain insects. And I embrace those moments. There is something so enticing yet comforting to have the Mall all – or mostly all – to myself.
In the picture, you can see one woman walking as if guided by the light of the Washington Monument. I was sitting on a bench some distance away from her but I, too, was drawn to the distant light.
This was a perfect morning in my book. I could tune out the world and just inhale history peacefully for a while.