I checked out the National Arboretum during my bike ride yesterday. I took a walk through some of the collections, and although I sure wish I had brought normal shoes to change into (my cleats were covered yet not made for hiking obviously!), I found the area quite beautiful. I recommend taking a trip there if you haven’t yet visited the National Arboretum.
(FYI #1: access to the National Arboretum is free. Most areas can be accessed by bike with a couple of climbs, but there are a few areas that are pedestrian-only.)
(FYI #2: to get there from VA, I head to Union Station and use K St -> West Virginia Ave -> 17th St -> Montana Ave -> S St -> 24th St -> R St to access the National Arboretum.)
The National Capitol Columns are the original columns at the east central portico of the Capitol and are on display (you can see a base and capital of one of the columns across the meadow from the main arrangement)
[IMG]http://bikearlingtonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=8698&stc=1[/IMG]
(left) dogwood blooms up close; (right) a pagoda in the China Valley collection
[IMG]http://bikearlingtonforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=8699&stc=1[/IMG]
(top left) really cool leaves that appeared like stained glass due to the angle of sunlight; (bottom left) a blue flower (perhaps a Columbine?); (right) kiyohime maple with a black ant that appeared for a close-up
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(left) “flying dragon” trifolate orange tree whose branches look like a flying dragon; (top right) where my bike and I are happiest: in nature; (bottom right) dogwoods in bloom
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IMG_20150517_132712992 by Jon, on Flickr
IMG_20150517_141602327 by Jon, on Flickr
