Mulch, Flower Beds, Crowds, and Signs of Spring

Finally a Monday without snow and ice and frigid temperatures. We could finally resume our morning walk on the Mall with either breakfast or lunch to follow at our favorite spot on Capitol Hill - Pete's Diner. You know the season is finally changing because allergies are back and buds are sprouting up all around. Mulch "fragrance" is also in the air as flower beds are prepped at all the Smithsonian sites. A huge truck that looks like a gasoline carrying vehicle complete with attached hose is spreading yards of mulch by the duck pond at the American Indian Museum. There's an empty nest by the botanical garden; and a robin is checking out a house by the art museum. The seagulls are sitting on the grass in front of the reflecting pond - one thinks he's a duck by the Grant statue. And of course the hoards of visitors are descending upon us in anticipation of cherry blossom time. Huge groups of teenagers wearing the same color shirt abound. It's spring time in DC, even though snow is expected on Friday. At least it's in the air and the best is yet to come. 

An Eerie Capitol City - Marble, Fog, and Rain

As pretty as the Washington is in Spring, it takes on an even more interesting, or should I say, eerie feel when it is raining and foggy. Along with the rain and the fog comes a very sparse visiting population compared to the hoards that descend upon the town during cherry blossom time.  I have captured these same views so many times before, during every season. But there is something about living in this town that is still captivating. Along the GW Parkway were low hanging clouds and ice covering the Potomac River. The tops of the monuments were hidden in the mist, and everything is grey against the white marble facades. The raindrops on the car widow make the scenes even more intriguing. Even though it is a memorable ride, I am happy to get back inside the house, and appreciate why our friends in London travel so much. Even though the weather remains rather consistent throughout the year there, it's more like this. I definitely would go out of my mind if I had to live in a place like this all year round. But once in awhile it's worth taking about. 

A Capitol Thanksgiving Weekend

It was actually nice enough to take a walk this afternoon, so we got on our down jackets, gloves, and hats. The Capitol Christmas tree is getting adorned for the lighting ceremony planned next week. If you look across the Mall to the Washington Monument, the scaffolding used to restore it from the earthquake is about one third down. The Botanic Garden is decked out with big silver balls (we took about ten pictures of put reflections in them...a where's Waldo experience) and red berries, and of course the train display. There's a big moose standing in the First Ladies garden, and a lot of visitors enjoying the scenery and pond taking photos of seagulls - an unusual sight for many. The birds seem to love the Grant statue and were perched on his hat and horse. For some reason things feel more upbeat around town than the last year or two. The Capitol Building looks glorious with all the attention. Just imagine what it has seen! These are the times I really like living here in DC, and apparently a lot of other people do too.