DC SE Waterfront

When we first moved to DC fifteen years ago the “other side” of the freeway was a bit worn. Then the nationals stadium was built and the neighborhood doesn’t look the same at all. It has become one of the most densely populated areas in the DC region. The number of high rises, condos, hotels, restaurants, and everything else is unbelievable. We drove over to our old Capitol Hill neighborhood and parked the car on Duddington Street, then walked over the the Navy Yard, Yards Park, and along the SE Waterfront. I was in search of photos for the weekly challenge. We hadn’t been to this area for a few months. The one thing noticeable was the constant noise. There is still constant construction and noise pollution. The river walk is always very pleasant so we strolled about towards the stadium and back to the Navy Yard. Someone was trying to catch fish at the Anacostia and a group of people were getting a boat tour. We really did enjoy living in our old neighborhood, but we are older and things have changed in a lot of ways. Capitol Hill had more of a suburban feel, but our 1890’s condo building had too many things wrong with it. So we still have the opportunity to visit and that seems to do the trick. It’s a great excuse for a ride and a morning walk. 

SE Waterfront in Winter

Every once in a while we change up our routine and walk over to the SE neighborhood by the Navy Yard. It’s also called Yards Park and a lot of other things. None of it existed when we first moved here twelve years ago. Now, among all the high rises that were recently built and all the new ones that are half done with many more to go, it’s beginning to look like downtown. There is hardly any daylight in between the buildings. As one goes up, another goes up right next to it and blocks the view. The baseball stadium anchors one end and the Capitol Building can be seen up South Capitol Street with new buildings in all stages along the path. The one “free space” is by the Anacostia River. So we detoured over that way. Having just snowed it looked and sounded eerily quiet compared to all the construction noise opposite it. There were symmetrical reflections in the river mirroring the sky above. This place will soon be home to one of the most - if not the most - congested neighborhoods in DC. We don’t mind living near it, but probably wouldn’t want to live in it. When all is said and done it is pretty - along the waterfront. 

Passing By the Billy Joel Concert at Nationals Stadium

It was just announced that Billy Joel would be receiving the Gershwin Award. Working at the Library, these announcements are routine. I personally never get to attend any of these events, but some of my coworkers have - Paul McCartney to name one. And in the Jefferson Building are posters displayed with all the past winners by the Coolidge Auditorium. Last evening Billy Joel had a concert at Nationals Stadium. It started at eight, so we decided to take a walk in that direction. That end of town has been transformed completely since we moved here, and there is a lot more construction going on. Several new apartments, condos, restaurants, and shops are in the works all near the stadium to South Capitol Street. We passed by several demolitions on our way over. When we reached the stadium, we heard it was a sell out concert. Many folks were bustling in while the opening act performed. We wanted to hang around and wait to hear the first couple songs. Of course, none of what we heard was familiar to my ears, and I know quite a few of his hits. I haven't been to a concert in ages, but this was the next best thing to actually being there, even though we couldn't see the stage, the performance, or even recognize the music as it bounced off the metallic stadium. So we retreated to our house only a few blocks away to the quieter, suburban Capitol Hill neighborhood. It's nice living close enough to all that action, but I wouldn't want to actually live in it.