Horses on the National Mall

Quite a while ago a new structure was being built on the National Mall across the street from the MLK Memorial. It looked like a large house. Then a few months back a sign appeared that finally told us what it was going to be. It was going to be the US Park Police Horse Stables and Education Center. We hadn’t been on that end of the mall for a while and ended up there last week for a morning walk. The place had finally opened as we saw at least four horses hanging around the front of the building behind the new fence. It’s not uncommon to see the horses riding around the mall - especially when there are scheduled events. Apparently they have been housed far away, so this makes it easier to care for them at a more convenient location. Although I am certain the other place still exists because this place is not really that big. It’s really an opportunity to learn more about the horses and the general history surrounding the program. As we were walking towards the area a park ranger walked passed us. I figured he was going to lunch and I think I was right. We wanted to enter the building but it was closed because the park ranger wasn’t available. Well, we know we will be back again some other time. It did seem odd to see the Lincoln memorial in the backdrop of the horses. We are looking forward to visiting again. Hopefully the park ranger will be there. 

Persian Carpet Critters and Flowers

When we lived in a big house in the Midwest we needed big carpets for all the rooms. So we had several Persian carpets that were made of silk and other materials. We even had a wall hanging in the dining room. They were simply lovely! When we moved to DC we had no space for any of them and we left them all behind. Now we have collected three over the last ten years - all about the same color scheme, with some common elements. I especially love the whimsical animals that are incorporated somehow and the beautiful flowers. The horses and birds are cute, and the Isfahan carpet we brought home from Iran is probably my favorite. The creatures look mythical but bring a smile to my face every time I look at them. I do miss our carpets but they unfortunately would not have fit in this house. I just read something today that people with less possessions are happier? I tend to agree with that and am content that we downsized to this tiny space. But I can't help but think about them once in awhile. I guess I'll need to look at some old photos and continue to appreciate the ones we live with now. 

National Police Week - Motorcycles and Horses

It's not every day that one sees sixty to seventy or more horses walk along Pennsylvania Avenue and just before that, near or more hundred of motorcycles lining the side of the street to salute bus loads of family members and officials making their way to the Capitol grounds. It's happened every year since we moved to DC and long before that - National Police Week. Perhaps it was the time of the day and day of the week...but we were caught up in the middle of the memorial service. Everyone was in full dress uniform and it was a quite solemn occasion. My husband commented that there is no other animal that behaves as well as the horse.They were all standing perfectly in sync and moved on command. There were vehicles from all over the US... From Michigan to Florida and beyond. You never know what you're going to run into when you head out to the national mall. 

Lynchburg to DC - Kohr Bros Frozen Custard, Moo Thru and Dairyland

Driving back to DC from Lynchburg Virginia reminds me a lot of Wisconsin. There are a lot of farms, cows, and wide open spaces. When we passed through Charlottesville, a frozen custard stand from the early 1900's was in operation called Kohr Bros. We didn't stop, but it started the conversation about custard and the place we loved in Milwaukee called Kopps. We used to bring our big Borzoi Tatiana with us and she always got at least one French fry and a bit of the delightful frozen custard. Nothing can compare to it. As we approached Culpeper, another ice cream stand caught our eye called Moo Thru. There was a crowd out front, so we decided to stop there. We asked for the hand dipped cones, but ended up with vanilla ice cream with chocolate sprinkles and chocolate chip with chocolate sprinkles. It was okay, but it was cold and rainy so it didn't feel like the right temperature for ice cream - although I know the hardly matters for most people. Anyway, we knew we weren't in DC because of the types of businesses we saw along the road and advertisements on the side of a car for horse rescue, rehab & retirement. Before long we were back in the city and the impatient drivers were blasting their horns at the lost souls from Maryland lost in space near the Lincoln Memorial. There's a big difference between the wide open spaces and the urban turf. I'm looking for something in between. 

The "Mane" Event

The colorful Latino Festival had a parade down Constitution Avenue recently. It included exhuberant participants from all Latino cultures, rather than a specific country. The only reason I know that is because I asked one of the participants. When we walked back home along the Mall on the side of the Art museums, a curious spectacle came in to view. Yes, there are park police on horseback and I have even seen a Clydesdale in front of Bullfeathers. But I really liked the gray horse with the corn rowed mane that was standing by the handler, waiting for the next event to begin. The horses always attract a lot of attention,  but even more in this location. We started our walk with the goal of attending the Library of Congress book festival, and ended up seeing a parade, with motorcycles, and some beautiful horses. I don't recall running in to these types of things in Milwaukee, except at the Sate Fair. But we didn't live downtown there. It is very entertaining to be close to the action, as long as it is as entertaining as this.