Following the intense services of Holy Week and the exuberance of our Paschal celebration, I had scheduled a few days off to visit with my son in Washington, DC.
John like many DCers doesn’t own a car, so we got around on foot and by public transportation. Probably just the small town Midwesterner in me, but the Metro appears at times futuristic to me. Maybe it is significant since we often conceive the idea that the future of our country, if not liberty itself, is in the hands of the leadership in DC.
Some these days see Washington as a ‘sign’ of what is wrong with America. I remember when John was a child and was really into GI JOE, and the nefarious enemy COBRA. Lots of memory associations for me at the Hirshhorn Museum of Modern Art. Art as a sign – of memories of a childhood, or political forces afoot in America, or maybe hopeful signs of the Chinese Zodiak and years to come.
Of course DC is not just about the present or future, but enshrines the past as well. The Capitol Columns at the U.S. National Arboretum might be signs of lack of political foresight or that some things really do change in DC. They may also be a sign that once the government does something, we have to deal with it for the rest of our lives as citizens. The shadows cast by some of the Corinthian columns conjure up images of past DC figures who haunt or inspire leaders today – hooded specters or maybe heavenly watchers.
To keep things in perspective, the above Bonsai was in training since 1625 and is the oldest Bonsai in the National Bonsai and Penjing Museum which is in the U.S. National Arboretum. This Bonsai tree is considerably older than our nation, and has been “in training” for close to 400 years. It should humble us Americans when we think about our traditions and appeal to the founding fathers. This Bonsai was already 150 years in training before the Declaration of Independence was signed. Our American sense of what is old shrivels before this one Bonsai.
The Glenn Dales at the U.S. National Arboretum are covered with Azeleas which happened to be in full, gorgeous blossom.
The Arboretum is a real treasure of our country, and one that doesn’t receive all the attention from DC visitors or residents that other sights around the city receive. But for the nature lover and photographer it is a hidden gem.
There are many unusual and beautiful plants as well as Ikebana floral displays. And the Arboretum is only one location for floral beauty, for the U.S. Botanic Garden also houses a wonderful collection of plants.
The Botanic Garden was featuring an Orchid show. The orchid is probably my favorite flower to photograph.
Relatively speaking, I guess most visitors to DC don’t go there just to see the flora. There is also the fauna at the National Zoo! And you can get the picture that I didn’t go to DC just to see bricks, mortar and marble statues.
It is as true in DC as anywhere else that birds of a feather flock together – so too for donkeys and elephants!
You can find a set of my favorite photos from my visit to DC at 2012 DC Favorites or you can find all of the photos I took in sets at DC Collection.
A complete list with links to my photo blogs is at My Photo-Blogs.
Special thanks to John and Lauren for their hospitality.
Imagine living in that place in America where Washington’s Monument always looks over all. There is an American ideal when we don’t lose sight of it.
Fraternized 
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We were happy to have you. Not only was it fun to get out in the city, I also had an excuse to take a few days off work.
It’s always interesting to see how a tourist sees my home. I’m afraid we get jaded after awhile and forget all we have here.
And with all of that, you have only scratched the surface.