6-24-22 Lincoln Memorial, Library of Congress and United States Botanic Garden

So much nicer weather today!  The sun was out and we did not have to carry our umbrellas.  We took the Metro to the Mall and walked to the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial.  Nathaniel stood on the spot where Martin Luther King gave his "I have a dream" speech.  We walked back along the reflecting pool and spotted the White House from a distance.  We had entered the lottery to get tickets to tour, but we were not among the lucky ones.

 

We continued walking until we got to the Smithsonian Metro station.  It was quite hot and muggy and Dave said he was ready to go back for lunch and a lay down.  Nathaniel and I continued walking and found the Library of Congress in back of the Capitol building.  When we emptied our pockets to go through security, I got buzzed.  I had forgotten that I had my camera over my shoulder - duh!  We went to the Great Hall first and fell in love with the ceiling.  We then viewed the Gutenberg Bible.  The building itself was a wonderful work of art - very lovely.  We took a shot down on the Reading Room and another of a mosiac of Minerva at the top of the stairs.  We went down to the lower level and visited the Graphic Arts display that was there.  It was an interesting history of comics through the years.

We were very hungry and thirsty when we were done so we walked a few blocks to Pete's Diner and each had a BLT, a huge glass of ice water, and a flavored drink.  This was the first day we did not carry our water bottles, but I knew that they would not be allowed in the library.  We then walked a bit further and explored the United States Botanic Garden.  The first thing we saw as we walked in was the Corpse Flower.  It was not yet in bloom, but apparently when it is, the flower give off the smell of a rotting corpse.  My favorite was the orchid room.  Nathaniel loved the exhibition about agriculture and how connected it is to American culture.  We then saw the outside gardens where we saw plants local to the area.  There was a large natural sculpture made from three types of branches from invasive trees.  Nathaniel took my picture emerging from the maze.  He kept the camera and took a picture of a squirrel that was eating a peanut.  He named the squirrel, Jonathan.  I took pictures of some unidentified blue flowers growing in the pond next to some water lilies.

We made our way to the nearest Metro station and after going in the wrong direction for a stop, we realized our mistake and got onto the right platform and made our way back home.  We are resting our feet after 18, 322 steps so far and we will be walking to dinner.  We took a vote and chose not to try a different restaurant tonight, but to go to our favorite.  The winner was Busboys and Poets.  When we come home Dave and I will attempt to dethrone the King of Hand and Foot.