Tidal Basin Cherry Blossoms

 

Beautiful blue skies with a brisk breeze 

capped our Tidal Basin walk today.

We were sneaking in a visit today before

 some closer to home days coming up.

Iconic vistas are a reminder of why

 so many people trek to this spot in the Spring.

There is also the story of these views that are going away.

The first cherry trees were planted here

 112 years ago as a gift from the city of Tokyo.

But, there has been significant damage 

to the seawall that keeps the twice a day tides at bay.

We have been walking this basin for 36 years. 

We can see the huge change to the trees with the 

eroding soil that exposes the roots 

and the damage of continual flooding. 

Here is the mascot "Stumpy",

 who has been determined to bloom, 

no matter what the circumstances.

    Portions of the seawalls have settled as much as 5 feet

 since the late 1800's to early 1900's.

Nearly 1/2 of the cheery trees will be removed for this restoration project. It will take years for the trees to grow back for this sort of cherry blossom views. They plan to complete the project before the 250th anniversary of American Independence in 2026.

 

It has been awhile since we visited down here.

 It was good to be back.

Loved our stroll with Jonah and Sara.

(though momma had her work out today).

Still lots of giggles with this little guy.

Our walk today was all about contrasts.

The pink and white blossoms.

 The struggling old trees and the healthy, vibrant

 younger trees away from the water's edge.

You just can't beat a walk on "peak day"

 in the sun with the undulating, frothy 

blossom laden branches.

A true treasure of Washington D.C.

Great Falls Virginia Outing

 

The rain had stopped and it is time

 for outside and running.

So off to Great Falls National Park.

Chasing, rock climbing

 and "avoiding" big puddles.

The clouds brought some interesting back drops

 for viewing the Falls as the colors changed.

Jess and Dan Meier

The whole Gang

Light strips on the water.

We were amazed to watch 2 kayakers 

and 2 paddle boarders

 out in the river as they fought 

the raging current from all the rain.

It is very dangerous unless you are very well trained.

Only for professional levels when the water

 is like this on the Potomac River.

A very fun outing indeed.

United States Botanical Gardens

 

Six young men hanging out at the 

US Botanical Gardens with Papa.

(We had the parents along too.)

#dengrandloves

The Orchids were beautiful.

Very fun schultuires made from natural items. 

All things around town in DC.

So many pretty flowers and things

 to look at everywhere.

The cool trains outside were very cool

and very fun to watch go round and round.

A beautiful day with sunshine 

and very fun family to enjoy the 

special time.

The United States Botanic Gardens

Always a fun adventure to see what

 is up at the Botanic Garden.

This year it is Season Greenings 2022.

Gathered greens in pots greet guests.

Amazing structures of Washington monument buildings 

are made of all sorts fo pods, bark, flowers and leaves. 

Truly these are each a work of art.

Fun cousin time.

Grandloves liked the orchids and pretty flowers.

The array of cacti and  "fuzzies" 

were fun in their variety.

But, the scene stealing was the G-Gauge trains running

 on tracks all over a huge display

 outside that also featured "growing spaces".

On a sunshine day we stood outside watching them run. 

 

Then we moved to the garden area

and watched 6 littles run and run.

A fun day in D.C.

The farming scenes outside  made from plant parts include:

Cranberry Bog, Massachusetts, United States, North America

• Orange Grove, Florida, United States, North America
• Terrace Farming, Rice and Lentils, Nepal, Asia
• Hillside Vineyard, Grapes, South Australia, Australia
• Indoor Vertical Farming, Finland, Europe
• Coffee-Banana-Sweet Potato Cropping System, Uganda, Africa
• Sorghum-Millet-Cowpea Cropping System, Mali, Africa
• Olive Grove, Spain, Europe
• Potato Farm and Machu Picchu, Peru, South America
• Onion Farm, Mexico, North America
• Rooftop Urban Farm, Illinois, United States, North America
• Artichoke Farm, California, United States, North America
• Wheat and Corn Farm, Kansas, United States, North America

President #41

 It was a Golden late afternoon 
today as we looked at

 the Capitol and scouted for a parking place.

 This was the actual color of the building-
as it stood in the ray's of evening sun. 

Like it knew and honored the presence

 of the Late President George H. W. Bush.

And a light change in DC.

In less than five minutes the light went out.

And a cold early evening settled in.

                                                                                                                        -Pat Maier photo-

                                                                                      -Pat Maier photo-
We moved slowly with quiet reverence.

There was a chance to watch many people

 also standing in line.

My friend Pat Maier was in town
 and she joined John and I in line.

We waited and waited.
We told stories and more stories.

The cool breeze turned crisp

 and then downright cold.

For three and a half hours we moved

 through one set of gated barricades to another.

We finally got inside to the warm.

And more lines and more lines.

No photos in the rotunda.

Just quiet, 

with people standing with heads bowed.

Military guards standing tall and straight.

As people stood and remembered a man

 with quiet dignity who 

led with virtue.

A family man blessed with a 70 year marriage

 to his dear Barbara. 

 As we left they handed each of us this small card
with his service information to his country.

As we left,
 we gave thanks for a faithful leader.
We felt honored for a once-in-a-life-time
 opportunity to pay our respects.
May the Lord bless the Bush family.