We are honored to join the Anna Across America tour in perhaps its most historic stop, Washington, D.C. Our nation's capital was founded in 1791 from land donated primarily by the state of Maryland and named for George Washington....although the modest father of our country always referred to it as the Federal City. The new capital was designed by Pierre L'Enfant with broad streets, radiating in numerous directions in a somewhat confusing pattern of grids that has created rush hour traffic snarls from the 1800s, but yet serves as a deterrent to those pesky British who might try to burn down the White House again. Nevertheless, L'Enfant's grand vision has stood the test of time and his design, along with strict building codes, have allowed the District to become a picturesque city of parks, monuments, and the center of government for the greatest nation on the planet. Almost 20 percent of Washington, D.C. is park land, which is one reason why Washington, D.C. is annually one of the "fittest" cities in the nation (that and all of those 9-5 jobs and government holidays).
DP / DC Fun Fact: The mere mention of Washington, D.C. can often conjure up passionate emotions of a political nature -- especially when accompanied by lightning-rod words Democrat and Republican. Whether left or right, both sides of the aisle have a bipartisan appreciation for the great taste of the most original soft drink ever - Dr Pepper. To wit, a pair of politically polar opposites Hillary Clinton (D) and Sarah Palin (R) are avowed Diet Dr Pepper drinkers.