Smithsonian Castle Gardens and Carousel

It seems like a million years ago but it was only two weeks. After several car trips over the last six months  to our old Capitol Hill neighborhood for a change of scenery, we actually got out of the car and followed in our old footsteps for a morning walk. That took us past the Library of Congress where I worked for ten years, the Capitol and reflecting pool, down the national Mall, to the sculpture garden, Smithsonian Castle gardens, Hirshhorn gardens, Independence Avenue and the new Eisenhower memorial not yet opened, the US Botanic garden and back to our old neighborhood where we had parked in front of our son’s old home. The city remained empty and we felt like the only two people walking about. Only recently the outdoor gardens have reopened. We always loved the smithsonian castle gardens. What was different now were the signs to socially distance and hand sanitizer at the entry gates. But it was devoid of visitors which in some ways was good. Across from the castle was the now silent carousel. It’s been in that spot forever, but no one was on it and I don’t think anything will change any time soon. Things just look a lot different now regardless of where you are.