National Arboretum Part One

If you ever visit the National Arboretum, like me you will probably be surprised when you find yourself pulling off at a random section of the highway. However once you get through the gates you realize there is a beautiful reserve of nature just a few feet away. You completely forget that you are in a city! In the spring the Arboretum is home to fields of vibrant Azaleas. I came in the summer so most of the flowers were gone, but there was still so much to enjoy.

We explored a little path and also wandered through the youth garden where they grow fruits, vegetables, and flowers. I also found out that the arboretum is also home to the original Capitol Columns. There was a museum as well, but we didn't stop in. The weather was nice and there weren't very many people around so we decided to just explore the outside grounds.

Flowers outside of the youth garden.

Annie :)

The original capitol columns from far away. There will be close ups in my next post.

Currently: Bittersweet about leaving D.C. (happy to be going home, sad to leave of course!)

D.C. Adventures

So I’m about 2 weeks away from leaving Washington D.C. and I realize there is still so much I haven’t done! I have visited before so this time I was more focused on work and less focused on being a tourist. But I have definitely done some fun things and I plan on getting some last minute sightseeing in before I go! Highlights of my DC adventure so far:

I went to hear Michelle Obama at the GW commencement (Thanks to some good friends!) my first week in Washington D.C. I couldn’t get very close, but it was great to hear her speak! She talked about the importance of making a global impact. Here is a link to a transcript of her speech.

It's hard to see but if you squint you can see a figure at a podium ( in the center under the green flag). That's her!

I watched the fireworks show on the 4th of July from the Key Bridge. It wasn’t too crowded, or hot which was nice. We sat at the edge of the bridge and let our feet dangle over the Potomac (Don’t worry there were bars to keep us from falling in. It was mainly our flip flops that were in danger.)

You can't tell in any of these pictures, but there were also a lot of people watching the show in boats and kayaks from the river.

This picture is my favorite. I love the reflection on the water.

I also hiked the Billy Goat Trail. Some of you who know my track record with outdoorsy-ness are probably very shocked. But I really enjoyed it. It was a fun trail with some great views. Although if we are going to blight the natural landscape by putting up port-a-potties, I don't see why we can't have a Jamba Juice refueling station at the end of the trail. Last time I checked no one was harmed by delicous rehydration. Just saying.

Currently loving: my bobble
Currently reading: The Shipping News