Orchids and Bathroom Hallways at Tysons Galleria

It’s been a while since we went for a morning walk at Tysons Galleria. Since the latest pandemic variant began at Thanksgiving we have been avoiding any enclosed spaces. Now it’s two months later and the weather has been dreadful since January. Rather than walk in the parking garage when there is rain, ice or snow we decided a change of pace was essential for our well being. Yesterday we drove out to the mall, parked in the covered garage and started our walk. It seemed that more stores closed, but the old Macy’s has been transformed on the first and second level. The most interesting sections were the hallways leading to the restrooms. Near the new Arthous and Restoration Hardware and soon to be Crate and Barrel furniture stores is an amazing area where people hang out. The hallways to the bathrooms are grand compared to other sections of the mall. Intermingled along the way are the myriad of orchids in all colors. I think it all feels so over the top and excessive, but I guess that is the intended customer. At least it gives us an opportunity to walkabout when the weather is foul. I wonder if we will ever feel like shopping again? 

The Meerkat Meetup at Tysons Galleria

They come in all different vibrant colors. It was an unexpected surprise to see the huge Meerkat Meetup sculpture display at Tysons Galleria. We went to the mall for a morning walk because the weather was quite foul. We hadn’t been there since the pandemic started. It was our go to place when we weren’t able to walk outside. Using the parking structure in our building for this purpose was a drag, but it was better than nothing at all. At least the mall shop windows kept our eyes busy while we walked. Since we were at the mall last a Bowlero has appeared on the first floor and two new furniture stores opened in the renovated Macy’s second floor space - Arhaus and Restoration Hardware. The area is striking in both appearance and design. There is still construction going on now. It was rumored that the Apple Store may take up some space there as well. It was here - between the furniture stores - that the recycled plastic meerkats roamed. Cracking Art created the meerkats display and it will be traveling across the country. The idea behind it is caring for the environment and each other. If one is so inclined the space is great to sit and relax. It is whimsical and gave us something else to think about. Who doesn’t love a meerkat? 

Tyson’s Galleria for a Walk When It Rains

I have a bonus card to spend some money in Bloomingdales. But I can’t think of what we need around the house except for some sheets, but I could get those in Bed, Bath & Beyond. I tried to find a blouse yesterday but didn’t see anything I liked. So I guess I will go online and look around before the deadline approaches. In the mean time, it’s raining today. When it rains we drive to the mall to walk rather than take our normal route in the park. I saw a blouse in line with what I was looking for in the J Crew window. From that point on, what we saw in the windows was not at all our taste, and we wondered whose taste some of the items appealed to. Primarily it was the outlandish shoes and accessories. I know I’m not as young as I was at one time, but even then I wouldn’t wear most of what we saw - nor could we afford it! It looks like animal print is big, but odd prints combined, shimmering gold and very tight suits are in. Maybe that’s why there is another larger mall across highway 123 called Tyson’s corner mall. It has more mainstream items and appeals to a much broader audience. I suppose there is something there for everyone. That’s why we spend a little time in each - for walking mostly. 

Tyson’s Galleria - an Option for Walking on a Rainy Day

When I retired we decided we would walk rain, shine, sleet, or snow. Well, I’ve just about had it with the rain, sleet and snow part. I don’t like the idea of falling on my face slipping on a wet or icy surface. In the heat of the summer we would walk at Union Station. Now that we moved to Virginia we have a couple of options. We can use the fitness center in the condo building - which neither one of us likes - or drive two miles from a secure parking space underground to another covered parking space at Tyson’s Galleria. I much prefer walking outside, but on a rainy day like this I’m all for taking the short ride and walking about seven times around the mall for a little over two miles. The mall is open very early and there are many visual stimuli along the way - from storefront window displays to all the variety of people who are there for the same reason we are. We used to drive from Capitol Hill to Tyson’s Galleria every once in awhile in the summer months, so it’s not an entirely new experience. I really dislike the rain even from the inside of the house. And we don’t really have a place to put all the wet clothes and gear when we come back home. So this is a great compromise if we plan to keep up with our daily walking routine. One if these days we should try the exercise room - we just need to find a good time when no one else us there. 

Tyson’s Galleria

For whatever reason we needed to be out of the house today from nine in the morning until three in the afternoon. We usually go out for breakfast every Saturday morning at McLean family restaurant followed by grocery shopping. So we could still do that. But what else would we do to fill the time? So we drove about and decided to see where the French restaurant was located that my sister has made reservations for her birthday later this month in the Falls. After that we had breakfast and then drove to Tyson’s Galleria to walk, but then to sit for awhile to pass the time. Both my husband and I brought our iPads to stay occupied. The view is rather bland. There are people milling about but the Mall doesn’t do much for me. But given the circumstances it’s not a bad option. We first came to Tyson’s Galleria when we moved to DC thirteen years ago. My hairdresser/stylist in the Midwest told me to go to a Vidal Sassoon Salon for a haircut until I found someone in DC. Since then we have taken route 123 millions of times. It’s nice that Tyson’s is close by but I wouldn’t want to live there. It reminds us of Northbrook near Chicago that we frequented regularly. For us, McLean is a favorite location. Maybe one day it will become more than that.