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....

An Afternoon at Venice Beach

Had the chance to visit Venice Beach the other day.  I got a couple shots to hopefully give a broad overview of the area. 

Venice is a several mile long stretch of a beachfront neighborhood on LA’s Westside. The area is  notable for several things including: a 2.5 mile long concrete Boardwalk; great surf; Muscle Beach; the eclectic nature of its visitors and residents, and skateboards. 

In years gone by though, it hosted several amusement parks and canal waterways fashioned after those in its namesake Italian city.  Actually, a few of these canals remain although they are nothing like they were in the 1920’s.  

The area is full of street performers.  This one was into broken glass, including glass being broken over his head!

Even the trashcans were fancy!!!!!!

This guy was very talented.  What he was doing playing for tips on the beach wasn't clear, until he was done and started walking around with his bucket asking for tips.  Dude was CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!

Venice has a long musical history.  The Doors were formed in 1965 after Jim Morrison and Ray Manzarek met at Venice Beach. 

Next Jim Morrison? 

And..... Next Ray Manzarek........

From the smells along the beach, there were A LOT of these "Medical Evaluations" going on!!!!!

There is a great skate park on the beach and it was interesting to note that although there is graffiti  everywhere else, there was none here.

I like the shadow which was captured entirely by accident. 

If I could have spent more time here, I could have tried for some more action shots.  I only took a few pics and now I wish I had stayed longer. 

They let artists get a permit and come paint in this area.

Um, for medical purposes only.......

The area is jam-packed full of interesting people.

I figured I would see some gang-related ink.  Saw some Sureno stuff but didn't get any good pics.  I did come across this Juggalo, which ARE gang members for anyone who may think they aren't.

Sureno

I spared you the pictures of the guys in thongs working out!!!!!!

The Governator’s acting career began after becoming a regular bodybuilder at Venice's famous Gold's Gym.

Thanks for looking!  Remember, clicking on any of the shots will being them up in a bigger window.....

Last Few Shots - Reno/Sparks NV, and Surrounding Area, Part X

This is part X of my series of photo blogs detailing my recent trip to the Reno/Sparks area.  These shots were all taken August 1-4 in the Reno/Sparks area.  They didn't really fit in any of the previous blogs and make up the last of the pictures from the trip.

This is the former Fitzgerald's Casino where my Grandmother used to work.  Now it's called Comm Row and  has climbing walls on the outside.  Oh, and that's the Reno Arch in the foreground.

This was the view from our window at the Nugget.

Flowers in my Mom's backyard.

Lockwood area East of Sparks.

Lockwood area.

These dudes were all over!

In case you REALLY got to go!!!!!!

Another of my favorites from the trip.

EXTRA heavy-duty flag poles!!!!!

Sunset in the Sky Ranch area reflecting off the smoke of a nearby forest fire.

This completes my "Reno/Sparks NV, and Surrounding Area" series.  I hope you've enjoyed the shots or at least found something that perked your interest in the area.  Thanks for looking!!