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| The Capitol Building Under Renovation |
After putting away the groceries that would serve for breakfasts and snacks at the condo, we went out to eat. Their new favorite restaurant is an Irish Pub nearby that had the best chicken pot pie with puff pastry I have ever had! I also tried a new way of drinking beer that mixes Guinness with lemonade sometimes known as a Shandy. When we had our fill of good food and drink, we went back to the condo and relaxed with snacks and a movie. Saturday was going to be a trip into Washington, D.C. to see the United States Botanic Gardens. Their condo is just a few minutes from a Metro line that takes us to the National Mall. Everyone slept in Saturday morning and ready to go by late morning.
We started out with lunch at the National Museum of the American Indian which features a large variety from the Mitsitam Cafe inside that serves native foods cafeteria style from different regions of our country. So many choices! Didn't spend a lot of time with the exhibits except what was on our way to and from the cafe. Since I spent my first 17 years growing up just a few miles away, I was familiar with most of the national landmarks and museums. Of course, every trip has something new and exciting and as anyone who has ever been to DC knows…you can't do it all in one day…or a week even! The best way to get the most out of the volume of information and sites is to take it one at a time until you feel you know it as well as you would want. Last fall my husband and I spent a whole day at the National Gallery of Art. Today we will spend our time enjoying the US Botanic Gardens.
"The United States Botanic Garden is one of the oldest botanic gardens in North America. More than 200 years ago George Washington had a vision for a botanic garden in the nation's new capital city. This garden would demonstrate and promote the importance of plants to the young nation. The Garden was established by Congress in 1820 and was strengthened by collections from U.S. Exploring Expedition (1838-1842). Several historic specimens collected during the U.S. Exploring Expedition are still on display. Since 1934, it has been administered through the Architect of the Capitol. The Garden maintains approximately 65,000 plants for exhibition, study, conservation and exchange with other institutions. Sights, smells, sounds and textures abound in the Conservatory. From tropical rain forest to desert plants, the Conservatory highlights the diversity of plants worldwide."
The building has about a dozen specific rooms to walk through to experience up close the diversity of plants and the climate and soil they need. Here is a brief summary of the different rooms:
Hawaii - plants native to Hawaii where species have adapted to live on remote volcanic islands.
Garden Primeval - plants that are reminiscent of the Jurassic era including mosses, ferns, and cycads.
Plant Adaptations - some of the fascinating adaptions that have evolved in the plant world.
Children's Garden - kids can explore, dig, water, and learn about plants in this seasonal outdoor garden.
World Deserts - succulents, cacti and other plants adapted to arid environments. A star-shaped plant is called a "corpse plant" because it smells so bad!
Medicinal Plants - plants from around the world.
Southern Exposure - a seasonal courtyard featuring North American native plants of the SE and SW.
Orchids - ever-changing display of blooming orchids from a collection of over 5,000 specimens.
Mediterranean - plants, culture and food of this climatic region.
Rare & Endangered - plants that are threatened and their habitats.
The Tropics - rain forest has a canopy walk above and a walk through the understory below.
Garden Court - economic plants that provide fiber, food, beverages, fragrance, wood, spices, and more. Especially love the coffee and chocolate plants!
Inside the building are also the East and West Galleries which have special exhibits to teach and be inspired. The exhibit about roots and how they benefit our soil was very interesting!
Outside is the 3-acre National Garden which includes:
The Regional Garden - native plants from the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain and Piedmont.
The Margaret Hagedorn Rose Garden - an ongoing experiment showcasing roses that thrive when using organic methods.
The Butterfly Garden - demonstrates plants that provide vital resources for butterflies and other pollinators. Lots of butterflies were out this day!
The First Ladies Water Garden - honors our First Ladies contributions to the well being of our nation's people.
The Lawn Terrace - welcome area for public ceremonies, festivals and summer classes.
The Open-Air Amphitheater - gathering place for educational programs.
Bartholdi Park - a 2-acre park that showcases a tapestry of theme gardens surrounding the historic fountain. Also highlights innovative plant combinations and sustainable garden designs at a scale suitable for home landscaping.
So many photos were taken that I put them all in a musical album below that you can click on and enjoy.
After we walked about as much as we thought we could and seen all that we could in DC in one afternoon, we got back on the Metro and soon were back at the condo. But some family members didn't get a good walk like we did today and it was time for The Dog Park. Just when I thought I couldn't walk anymore, I found a new energy with my son's and his wife's two little dogs whose energy had no bounds in a really spacious dog park nearby. It was a nice fenced in area along a creek where the dogs were allowed to run and play and swim as much as they wanted. Everyone was dog and people friendly and got along like they really know how good they have it here and don't want to mess up and lose the privilege. What a joy to see so much energy and people smiling! A great end to a special day!
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