Via Colori Street Painting Festival

This weekend we visited Downtown Fredericksburg, VA, and the Via Colori.

Via Colori is a street painting festival held for the last three years in Fredericksburg.  Various artists painted murals, portraits, fantasy scenes and more along the downtown streets while at the same time raising money for charity.

Via Colori is a street painting festival held for the last three years in Fredericksburg, VA.  Various artists painted murals, portraits, fantasy scenes and more along the downtown streets while at the same time raising money for charity.

A First Day of Fall Walk Around DC's Tidal Basin

These shots are from a walk around DC's Tidal Basin yesterday.  Even though it was officially the first day of fall, we couldn't have asked for better weather for an afternoon outside!

I took a picture of this tree full of cherry blossoms several months ago.  I hope to get it in the fall and with snow all around if possible too.

Even National Monuments aren't immune from "visitors"......

Helicopters frequently are seen flying overhead.

Thomas Jefferson Memorial.

Sun shining on the Washington Monument as it dwarfs the Old Post Office (Soon to be the new Trump hotel in DC).

Jefferson Memorial from the Ohio Drive Bridge.

This guy was patiently fishing near the Ohio Drive Bridge.  More on him later......

I don't know much about the Ohio Drive Bridge, just that one end was built in 1908 and the other in 1909.  What I REALLY don't know is who the heck commissioned not one, but TWO of these scary busts!!!!!!  

Jefferson Memorial.

"What guys?  We don't see anything?"

"Oooohhhhh, that big tall pencil-looking thingy!" 

Back to this dude.  He finally got his fish, then took 10 minutes to eat it...

Supp?

This fellow let me get right up next to him for several shots!

I've been to the FDR Memorial before but this time I began to realize the scope of his influence on the country.  He was  actually elected to 4 terms, although he died during the 4th. 

There were several busses full of WWII vets visiting the area as part of the Honor Flight.  We've seen this  group before and they are impressive for what they do for our vets.

FDR quote, "I've seen war.  I hate war."

The Downtrodden.....

FDR

Now I know how to say this in brail.  Figured I'd take a picture since they call me Mr. Patience......

Sun rays over the Potomac to see us on our way home.

Sunrise over the Chesapeake

I spent the morning practicing sunrise shots on the Chesapeake river. 

You can just see the sun coming up in the center of the pic.

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!!!!