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Showing posts with label National Columns. Show all posts
Showing posts with label National Columns. Show all posts

Saturday, February 23, 2013

The U.S. Capitol


It seems I can't walk past the U.S. Capitol without taking a picture of it.  I don't feel bad though, everyone else is doing the same thing.  


I was at the Capitol early the other day and it was freezing out.  This meant  I got to take all the pictures I wanted, with no pesky people in my shots!!!!!


If the Columns above look familiar, that's because they match those in the next three shots from my previous blog detailing the National Columns at the Arboretum.

The National Column blog is here:  http://tinyurl.com/b7y8nkl

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This and the next view were taken from the second floor of the  Library of Congress.  In the shot above, you can see the U.S. Capitol, the WWII Memorial, the Washington Monument, the National Mall, and the Smithsonian Castle.
Same shot as above, zoomed out.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Yet Another Hidden Gem in Washington, DC-- National Capitol Columns

So the main reason we went to the Arboretum was so see the National Columns. Little did we know just what an experience we were in for!

The columns were initially placed on the East Portico of the US Capitol in 1828. They were quarried from sandstone near Aquia Creek in Virginia (like 5 minutes from my house!!!), but they were later removed to make way for addition to the east side of the Capitol in 1958, eventually finding their way to the National Arboretum.
The columns as seen through a fountain near the entrance to the Arboretum.

The stately dignity of the Corinthian columns rising above a miniature reflecting pool, set in a quiet meadow surrounded by wildflowers, reminds one of quiet, serene utopia, tucked away and hidden from the world. 

Although looking at the columns made me feel like I was looking at the remnants of a world gone by, the National Capitol Columns have only been in their current location for just over a decade.


A serene meadow of wildflowers surrounds the columns. 

Pathway ending at the columns.



When the columns were removed, so were several of the steps from the east side of the Capitol. These steps were later  recycled here along with the columns.
Quarry marks from Government Island are still visible on many of the old Capitol steps.
A reflecting pool fed by a small stream running down a channel in the steps. 


Across the meadow is a capital, or top portion, of one of the columns. Here you can see the detail that the stone carver incorporated into the design. Acanthus leaves are visible and the many layers of paint applied while the column was in place at the Capitol are evident on portions of the stone as well.
The Arboretum actually rises above DC providing a great view of the Nations Capitol.
This flag was at the entrance to the Arboretum.
Even after four years here, we still are able to find new places to see and things to do in Washington DC!!!!


Monday, September 10, 2012

A Visit to The United States National Arboretum

This weekend we visited the United States National Arboretum in DC.  I've wanted to tour this area for awhile to photograph the National Columns which I'll detail in my next blog, but ended up seeing much more!
The trip was totally worth it and as it turns out, the Arboretum is a secret gem hidden in DC!!!


The U.S. National Arboretum was established in 1927 in Northeast Washington, DC, to serve the public need for scientific research, education, and gardens that conserve and showcase plants to enhance the environment.  It covers a sprawling 446 acres with 9.5 miles of winding roadways and is visited annually by over 500,000 people.








 

Bees were everywhere!
And Bat Man dudes.....
There were white bees.
And pollen-covered bees.
And plain old generic bees.



This was NOT a bee........







Next up will be a blog of the National Columns which are hidden within the Arboretum.  Here's a sample....