Gardening In The City

On my days off, I like to go into the city to explore. Even thought I've only been here a few months, I sometimes feel like I've seen all of the noted places to go. Still, I head in to explore and soak up the sun.

While Monday wasn't so sunny, it also wasn't so humid that I turned into a puddle five minutes into my day out. As I usually do, I headed to the Smithsonian stop to check out a few of the remaining free museums I haven't been to yet. Sooner or later I'll have to fork over the cash to go to the other museums...but that day is not today! As I had originally planned to visit the Hishhorn Museum first, I wanted to get something to eat. (Point of protest - why is it there's no where to eat on the Mall other than inside Smithsonians?) Somehow I ended up on the other side of the Smithsonian Castle and came across this view

The biggest thing I miss from home is flowers and corn. The amount of times I've talked about corn, it would make you think I'm a child of the corn. Nope. I just miss the seas of green driving around. The lack of deer possibly jumping out at you however, not so much. But that's besides the point.

Who knew this was behind the Castle? Okay, the answer is a lot of people obviously. Roughly two million a year to be more exact. Somehow in the two months I've roamed around, I totally missed this garden oasis hiding on Independence Avenue. I may have momentarily missed the memo, but this has definitely jumped to the top of my "Must See" list for visitors. 

The Enid A. Haupt garden changes annually. This year, it features "The Lost Bird Project" by Todd McGrain with five bronze sculptures of extinct North American birds. This now competes as my favorite place in the city. It's hard to believe, but being there felt like I was transported to the countryside of England, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It's hard to imagine that on the other side of this is the trademark symbols of D.C.

Now all I need is a tea shop nearby and I'll be all set to live out my Downton fantasies. 

*all images taken by me with my trusty iPhone