52Frames_wideangle

I don’t think I interpreted the photo challenge correctly this week. It was all about wide angles. But I was more focused on the “looking up” from below, but too low and not at the wide open spaces. Because I use my iPhone for taking photos, the images are already shot at a “wide angle.” But I used the panorama function too to go even wider. In spite of that I used the camera+ 2 lightbox app to crop them at 16:9, although I suppose I really didn’t need to since wider was better. There were a few cicadas options. It’s an every 17 year phenomenon and the insects are everywhere. I like the magnolias that are blooming too. And from the fourth floor balcony there are some great opportunities to catch my husband walking both to and from the dentist office. The bench in the park was okay. But I really liked the fountain that sits in front of our building with the waterfall effect. The tiles and the splashes and the sea foam color looked nice - even better when I enhanced the image. What I like about the weekly photo challenge are the comments made about the effort - especially connecting with our friend from the Midwest who introduced me to this activity. This week the these is “music.” I have no idea what that’s going to look like. 

Theodore Roosevelt Island Statue and Fountain

Last week we took a ride to Theodore Roosevelt Island. We went there for a change of scenery, morning walk, and get away from crowded areas. Usually we walk in the park by our house for the shade, or in the neighborhood if it’s cool enough. And sometimes we drive in to DC and retrace our old steps on the national mall where we walked many times over the thirteen years we lived there. Luckily the parking lot was pretty empty, and when we crossed the bridge over the Potomac River, we headed down a less traveled path that took us under the route 50 bridge filled with graffiti. Then we backtracked and took the boardwalk through the marsh and finally ended up at the center of the island where the “memorial” stands. It is rather impressive. On the way to the sculpture is a beautiful fountain, pools, benches, bridges, and lined trees. It was quite serene and peaceful but also very hot and humid - like it’s been all summer. We are trying to make a habit of going to parks and such along the GW Parkway. It’s the only way we get to do something a little different since we hibernate otherwise. Luckily we have a few choices to pick from. 

US Botanic Gardens and Back Home

Last week we took a ride to our old neighborhood on Capitol Hill. We parked the car in front of our son’s old residence -  just a few steps from our old condo, and followed our old footsteps for a morning walk. We lived in this neighborhood for thirteen years. I worked at the library of Congress for ten, and we moved to northern Virginia over a year ago. We have driven in to town several times since March, but never got out of the car. The city was still very quiet - we felt like the only two people walking about except for work people fixing street things, renovating the house office buildings, and the air and space museum. So we walked to the Capitol, the reflecting pond, down the mall to the Smithsonian castle and back. One of our favorite places is the US Botanic Gardens. Because it was the end of the summer season, everything was so overgrown. We know every square inch of that place having passed through it so many times. It’s so pleasant! When we returned to our car we always get nostalgic about our old neighborhood. If it wasn’t for all the 1890’s ongoing and forever building problems we might have stayed. But it was becoming too inconvenient with street parking and everything else. We used to drive in to town for library programs as entertainment. That doesn’t happen anymore. So every once in a while we drive in - just for the heck of it. On the way home we stopped at McDonald’s for take out breakfast - something we haven’t done in six months. It was a delightful ending for the perfect adventure. It doesn’t take much these days. 

A Quiet Time at the US Botanic Garden

Now that the holidays are over, so are the long lines to see the Christmas trains and decorations at the US Botanic Garden. So instead of walking through the outside gardens today as we usually do, we decided to promenade through the inside of the beautiful building. It is one of the few places that is open during the government shutdown. Of course we knew we wouldn’t stay long with several layers of clothing, hats, and mittens we were wearing in the sixteen degree temperature. But the sun was brilliant so all was right with the world. Except for a tour of about ten people, the place was really quiet and several of the sections were closed off. The main entry area was really empty! But soon it will be brimming with something very special in time for spring, Easter, and warmer weather. So we walked about without any obstructions or heavy traffic leaving me plenty of time today take whatever photos I wanted. I think this visit we were drawn the most to the citrus - sour oranges and lemons. This is probably one of my favorite spots in town. Nothing beats sunshine and nature. 

Freer Museum Courtyard

Yesterday we visited the Freer Museum. It just reopened after a major renovation that lasted at least a year. We haven't been there since we moved to DC eleven years ago and went to the opening ceremony last weekend to check out the light show that was displayed on the north side of the building. Since Tuesday is usually a crowd free day to check things out anywhere on the National Mall, it was a good time to go. After seeing all the beautiful Asian exhibits around the exterior sections of the building, we walked in to the courtyard in the center of the building. It was such a beautiful sunny day, we sat there awhile to take in the scenery. There was a lovely fountain in the center, and the leaves were beginning to turn from green to gold and red. Just a few people were milling about. In some ways we found this part of the museum more interesting than all the precious art pieces inside. From the lower level the hallway is connected to the Sackler Museum underground. We will go there on another day to visit the Iranian section specifically, but to also see what has changed since we were there last. It's an absolutely beautiful week to be in DC. These wonderful places make it even more interesting. All we have to do is walk on over. 

Bartholdi Fountain From All Sides

When we walked over to the West lawn of the Capitol Building to hear the Memorial Day dress rehearsal concert we passed by the Bartholdi Fountain and gardens. We come this way just about every time we walk to or from the mall from home - but that is typically during the daylight hours. On this occasion, it was heading to dusk, and the light was exceptionally pretty as the last of the sunlight was gleaming through the spaying water. Bartholdi Park is located on Independence Avenue right across from the US Botanical Garden, House of Representatives, and the new Disabled Veterans Memorial. We stop here to watch the fireworks on the fourth of July as the Washington Monument can be seen in the distance looking West, and the Capitol Building sits on the East. We walked back home around nine PM and the scene changed even more - a little darker, but prettier against the blue hue of the botanical garden glass building. For those who don't have a garden or yard, this is the perfect place to sit and relax. The gardens are spectacular all year round. It's one of my favorite spots, and we usually find an excuse to pass through it. Wouldn't you?