gardening in the city: the national sculpture garden

I'm about to reveal a very big secret...can you handle it? The National Sculpture Garden has the best fountain in the world. 

I know, that's a pretty hefty claim, and I've seen some great fountains in the world including the "magical" Trevi fountain in Rome. But I'm telling you, hands down, this is the best. I'm at least staking the claim that it's my favorite fountain/spot in the whole of DC. 

Every time I tell my friends I want to take them to my favorite fountain, I see the look of, "Yeah, okay sure why not" in their eyes. But then, we get there and pop our feet in the water and I see the look change into, "You are totally right about this." 

Sure, you're probably now wondering where the art is, since it is called the sculpture garden. Well, ask and you shall receive.

Just promise me one thing: don't hog all the room at the fountain when I come by next time to soak my feet now that you know about this semi-hidden gem, okay? 

*All photos taken by me with my trusty iPhone

doing DC: the U.S. botanic garden

Did you know you could visit the jungle, desert and view 5,000 types of orchids all in one day at one place in the Capitol? D.C.'s really great for things like that, and a trip to the U.S. Botanic Garden just outside of the Capitol building can bring you all of that and more.

Growing up I watched my mom spend hours and hours every weekend and nights after work in the summer playing in her flowers. Although I haven't quiet yet acquired the same appreciation for dirt under the finger nails and sweating through a shirt in the blazing sun (read - not at all) I have gained an appreciation for beautiful flowers and the talent it takes to grow them and nurture them into living.

Needless to say, I enjoyed my time there sending pictures to my mom saying "Next time you come we have to come here because you'll love it!"

Getting to the Garden is easy. Take the Orange/Silver/Blue line to Federal Central SW metro stop and follow it along Third Street SW for two blocks, cross Independence Avenue and continue one more block to Maryland Avenue. Look toward the Capitol and you will see the glass dome of the Conservatory. The Conservatory entrance is on Maryland Avenue. The Conservatory is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. while the National Garden (the outside part of the Conservatory) is open until 7 p.m.. 

*all images taken by me with my trusty iPhone

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