From Summer to Fall Gardens & Flowers & Army Ten Miler

It’s overcast. And humid. Sounds like another day in the neighborhood. But something is changing. The gardens are beginning to look a little different and there are hints of autumn in the air. It’s still in the 70’s and will be in the 80’s this week. The Midwest is already looking cold - I remember it snowed on Halloween a few times when we lived there. That’s one of the reasons we moved out of the freezing temps  and snowy state to DC. So when we walked this morning towards the National Mall, the Army ten miler was all around clogging up Independence Avenue and beyond. When you live in a city like this these events can disrupt your life if you plan to drive - or walk - anywhere. But we found ourselves by the Smithsonian Castle and Hirshhorn gardens. They are simply lovely under the cloudy skies. All the berries are being eaten by the hungry birds, and the squirrels are scurrying about in search of winter treasure. The potted Paradise is still grand by the Sackler Museum. Even though the route we take is oftentimes the same, it is never monotonous. There is always something going on. 

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American Indians, Army Ten Miler, Smithsonian Castle and Gardens

Yesterday was the Million man march. Today was a Sunday late morning walk. One can hardly believe that the place was packed for the rally compared to the relative quiet of today. But that's how it is in this neighborhood. And even when it's relatively quiet, it really isn't. There is repair work going on at the American Indian Museum fountain that blocks our usual route. But right after we pass this place, the streets are blocked again, but this time it is for the army ten miler event that was taking place along Independence Avenue and beyond. We usually stay on the mall for this walk, but decided to see what was going on. We ran in to a water station filled with army "volunteers" who were supporting the race, and saw several participants being cheered on by a local high school band. Then we headed back towards the Smithsonian Castle. Fall is definitely in the air as seen by the sun peeking through the yellowing leaves on the trees above us. We stopped inside the castle for a minute and then headed back home. In Milwaukee, we used to take our big Borzoi Tatiana for walks in Grant Park along Lake Michigan. It was lovely there this time of year too. But then things change after October, and living further south is not a decision we will ever regret- for walks anyway.