Sunday, January 8, 2023

Morning Walk on the National Mall

Every week we like to drive in to town and take a morning walk on the National Mall. We have done it so many times that it is second nature. We lived on Capitol Hill for thirteen years and know the area pretty well. I also worked at the Library of Congress for ten years and had the shortest commute in my work history - walking two blocks. Unfortunately we no longer have our residential parking passes so we like to find a ParkMobile space right on the mall. This time it was by the Smithsonian Castle. So we headed up towards the Capitol building. As it was January 5, the area was a lot different than it was two years ago. Near the reflecting pond was a group gathered called Courage for America. We didn’t know what it was about but we did see Officer Fanone from the January 6 inquiries and commentator there. The clouds looked impressive in the reflecting pool. We passed by and went up the hill to the east side of the Capitol. One of the attendants driving a golf cart stopped and asked us if we needed a ride to the visitor center. We didn’t. I hope we didn’t look that much out of shape. It is quite a haul walking up the hill. The Capitol building was impressive - hard to imagine what happened there two years ago. It was a lot less busy since the holidays. Then we made a loop back towards the mall. We passed by the summerhouse fountain that is being restored. The light fixtures are also quite impressive. And as usual the seagulls are always hanging around. Half of the Air and Space Museum is under construction. It’s going to take forever to get that done. Now the Smithsonian castle is having some major work done too. It’s a never ending sight on the city. At least the Hirshhorn scaffolding is finally coming down only for more restoration to begin in the sculpture gardens. There is always something to keep your eyes busy as you walk about. It makes the time pass quickly. 




















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