Tuesday...

I started the day by taking two wrong connections on the METRO on my way to Arlington. No big deal, I managed to work out where I had gone wrong and felt all the more confident that I now understood the system...


The sign above asks you to show dignity and respect while in the cemetery. Unfortunately many of the visitors seemed to have overlooked this request. It was, however, the only place in DC to find a quiet corner to reflect and give personal thanks to all those who lay at rest.


The Changing of the Guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.


More than 300,000 people, including over 3,800 former slaves, are buried within the 200-acres of grounds at Arlington National Cemetery. Funerals average at 28 per day. Space is estimated to run out in 2030.


The grave site of John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis burns an eternal flame.


A few METRO stops later, the US Botanic Gardens with the Capitol in the background


Garden Primeval, a reconstructed Jurassic landscape and examples of the world deserts


This reminded me of Whoopie Goldberg for some reason. And these orchids reminded me of my bud, Kathy...


The outside of the National Museum of the American Indian is as fascinating as the inside. Some of the traditional Native features include: Grandfather rocks; Cardinal Direction Markers; 150 species of indigenous plants; 25 native tree species; wild rice and marsh marigolds; black-eyed Susan and sunflowers; crops of corn, beans, squash and tobacco.


Examples of Native canoes.


The Hirshhorn Musuem and Sculpture Garden which included many Moore's (see posting above), and several Alexander Calder's including The Horse, above, a cousin of The Crab in the Cullen Sculpture Garden in Houston and several mobiles like the great one recently admired by moi et mon ami in the Menil. Check out the cool floor by Jim Lambie.


Lauren's favorite, Roy Lichtenstein


On the trek to Georgetown we stopped by to perch on Einstein's lap. The 21-foot, 7,000 pound bronze statue by Robert Berks sits overlooking a celestial map that depicts the heavens as they were the day the statue was unveiled on 4/22/79, which just happened to be Earth Day.


Before our foot-tour of Georgetown we stopped at the Kennedy Center to enjoy the amazing Matt Savage Trio (below), led by 14-year old Matt Savage who not only plays the heck out of the piano but writes all of the material the jazz band perform.


The scandalous Watergate Building.


View of the Potomac looking towards Georgetown from JFK Center and the Georgetown Waterfront.


We finished off our day with a walk around quaint Georgetown and a leisurely stroll home...