I joined the throngs on the National Mall at about 7:30. Somehow I managed to find my group up near the Washington Monument.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/happymonkey/23757685/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://photos18.flickr.com/23757685_d2f9635413.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Crowds" /></a>
Here's the view from our spot of the World War II Memorial, the Reflecting Pool, and the Lincoln Memorial.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/happymonkey/23758056/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://photos18.flickr.com/23758056_144a08f663.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Crowds" /></a>
When it got dark, I got another shot of the Washington Monument.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/happymonkey/23758374/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://photos18.flickr.com/23758374_f882408441.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Obelisk" /></a>
And the base. The blur wasn't intentional, but I think it sorta works.
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/happymonkey/23758791/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://photos18.flickr.com/23758791_34fef495a2.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Flags" /></a>
On to the show:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/happymonkey/23759906/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://photos18.flickr.com/23759906_3742c60c3a.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Fireworks" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/happymonkey/23760322/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://photos18.flickr.com/23760322_23440945ec.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="Fireworks" /></a>
And my favorite:
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/happymonkey/23759418/" title="Photo Sharing"><img src="http://photos18.flickr.com/23759418_c9d5899e7d.jpg" width="375" height="500" alt="Fireworks" /></a>