US Botanic Garden Orchids

Over a month ago we drove to the US Botanic garden to visit the orchid display. When we lived on Capitol Hill, it was a lot easier to just walk over to all the lovely spots in the city. And every morning we trekked by this area and the National Mall for a morning walk. Well, we no longer live on Capitol Hill and we no longer take morning walks for obvious reasons. So I’ve been posting images of our last visit there and am reminded about how we miss some of the things we took for granted. For us, being retired, not a lot has changed. Primarily it’s been pretty much the same except for going out for lunch, driving around for the fun of it, and even going to the grocery store. Today’s biggest “challenge” is getting a time slot for groceries. That is nothing compared to what most folks are going through. I count my blessings every day, happy that we remain healthy, and am glad my mom didn’t have to live in these circumstances - she passed away in February. What a worry that would have been. Since we are in the so called “at risk” category we stay inside. We are fortunate to be able to do so. I don’t think things will ever be the same - there will be a lot of innovative creations coming our way. We are looking forward to being able to live life again - just like every one else. In the mean time we will look back at how life was. 

In the Old Neighborhood

It’s been a while since we took a ride to DC. I think we went in January to get my medical records transferred to a new doctor. Since we knew it was going to be a lovely day, a visit the Botanic garden came to mind. It’s one of my favorite places. We used to pass by it almost every day on our morning walks when we lived on Capitol Hill for thirteen years. But this time would be tricky because we no longer have our visitor parking permit. That means we need to find street parking with a two hour limit. And you can not park on the resident side of the street. So we ended up driving around quite awhile before finding a very tight space on Duddington - a block from where we used to live. As usual the streets were blocked off in several places due to repair work, an old rowhouse was being rejuvenated, and the rooftops of the townhouses were majestic against the blue sky. Unfortunately I was the chauffeur these days because my husband had cataract surgery and he doesn’t have the right eyewear yet. So I was not able to take as many photos going and coming to town. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful day in the old neighborhood. 

US Botanical Garden Poinsettias

They come in so many colors. Every year the US Botanical garden features a seasonal poinsettia display, along with the main hall monuments and museums made out of plant material, a huge Christmas tree, and of course - the trains. There is also an interesting plant maze stickwork sculpture on the west side of the building that most kids find quite interesting. Last week we took a ride in to town to see what this year brings. Having lived on Capitol Hill for thirteen years made it very easy to just walk over, but now we need to take the car for the ten mile jaunt since we moved to northern Virginia. This year there was literally a wall of poinsettias that are always on display at the rear of the building. There was every shade of pink and red, white, yellow, and spotted. Near this spectacular arrangement were a few smaller trees decked out with cardinals and another with ornaments from across the US. This place is one of my favorites. It’s always so pretty and uplifting regardless of the season. And it’s even better when you beat the crowds and take your time. 

US Botanic Garden Christmas Trains

Even before we moved to DC twelve years ago we always went to see the Christmas trains at the US Botanic Garden. There is always a theme, and this years is “All Aboard” that highlights train depots across the US. Everything is made out of plant material which makes it all the more interesting. Aside from these trains, there are the window display trains on Pennsylvania Avenue, and at Union Station. But there is something unique about this set up. After walking through the main lobby filled with beautifully decorated trees and poinsettias, the trains were set up on the opposite side they usually are. For whatever reason, it seemed fresher and prettier than in years past. Maybe it was the time of the day, or someone else did the decorating? We usually try to visit in the morning during the week to avoid the huge crowds that line up starting around Thanksgiving. That way you actually have a chance to see the display and take your time getting around it. Everywhere you look the tiny trains are chugging around overhead and at eye level. And the kids love it! We probably will come back to see it again before the end of the year. It’s one of our favorite places. 

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US Botanical Garden Vegetables

Maybe it’s because we don’t have our own tomatoes and cucumbers in our tiny patio garden this year. That’s because we are waiting on some building foundation work which means tearing up our lovely space. So when we take our morning walk we usually end up at the US Botanic garden, unless it’s too hot to pass that way and the air conditioned Union Station is preferred. Last year the botanic garden was being renovated to be more user friendly. So now there are ramps as well as stairs, several more seating options, and a huge patch for growing vegetables. Of course there is a wide array of beautiful flowers, shrubs and trees that change with the seasons, as well as the magnificent Bartholdi fountain. But the vegetables take center stage this time of year and they look luscious! Even with the extreme heat and floods the garden seems to be weathering the storms. There is squash, peppers, tomatoes, turnips, sunflowers, cabbage, strawberries, horseradish, and a lot of other stuff galore. My husband would love to get his hands on several of the items there, but he knows better. Even if you are not in to vegetables this is a delightful place to just sit and contemplate. For us, it’s only a couple blocks away and it’s well worth the walk.