Category — things to do in dc

On the National Park Service website Purple Loosestrife makes the list of the Least Wanted Plants and is classified as an Alien Plant Invader of Natural Areas. Next time you consider buying this plant, English Ivy, or any other weed at Home Depot… please don’t. Please take a moment to consider the above list. The problem is that aggressive non-native plants like Purple Loosestrife thrive in disturbed sites like Kingman Island and disrupt the native ecosystem…basically a wrench in an intricate system that fails to provide anything of value to birds, bugs and other creatures of the area.

Of course there are other plants on Heritage and Kingman Islands (just east of RFK stadium shown below) and on the day that Josh, Lisa and I were there we came across plenty of Poison Ivy Toxicodendron radicans, Silver Maple Acer saccharinum, and Josh’s favorite invasive exotic, Porcelainberry Ampelopsis brevipendunculata (which admittedly does have one of the most beautiful berries I have ever seen).

Since the US Army Corps of Engineers created the islands in 1916 they have been a collection point for the destitute and the dumped. Left to grow largely wild, the result, now open to the public (I think) is a thicket of 100 year old weeds. Perhaps even more impressive and beautiful is the re-establishment of many wetland species along the coasts. The last time I had explored the islands, the mud and geese looked like they might overcome the efforts at regenerating the wetlands. However, beyond my surprise that the islands were open was the view from the footbridge across the Anacostia…

the plants seem to be doing quite well and are reclaiming a fair percentage of land.

Unfortunately the archaic is captured in the opposite view and we are quickly reminded of the very visible hand of destruction. Five fingers, nails stained black from the making of progress.

If you are in Washington DC and have some free time this week or this upcoming weekend, go see the Azaleas in bloom at the National Arboretum. Although the Rhododendron genus is certainly not my favorite collection of species, and Azaleas are not in my view the most interesting of plants, I must admit that their display and collection of color is fantastic (in a sort of F. Scott Fitzgerald way). Not because of any one species or even as a collection of flowering azaleas but more because of the composition and experience as a whole. Moving from the Capital Columns set in the meadow to the Azalea collection set beneath a canopy cover helps contain their song and let light in and out of the path. I found them most striking when they were able to contrast a structure of brick paths and boxwood edges. It was great to see so many people at the Arboretum and I encourage anyone to get there within the next couple weeks to see the blooms.

I am not as new to DC or Capitol Hill – I have been here over 2 years, but I seem to find new favorite places in the city every time I head to a neighborhood for the first time or revisit a park. So here are my top five places in the district, also in no particular order…

1. FDR Memorial. By far my favorite monument on the mall. The waterfalls and subtle power of the quotations and statues decorating the red granite “rooms” are simply beautiful. I have found the monument is best at night when the lights make the water even more peaceful and it is blissfully free of tourists. After dark is also the best time to enjoy the cherry blossoms along the Tidal Basin without the crowds.

Photo Credit: G. Alexander

2. The cheese stand at Eastern Market. Hill residents probably don’t need any direction here, but for anyone who hasn’t spent the better part of 30 minutes camped out at Bowers Fancy Dairy Products sampling the “Cheese from All Parts of the World,” you should head to the market soon. My personal favorites are the Parmesan-gouda (formaly called Perano, I believe) and the drunken goat, which is a goat cheese infused with wine. yum. This image is from the South Hall location the shop has been located in since 1964. After the fire at Eastern Market this past summer, they relocated to the temporary East Hall. New location, but same great conversation, and of course same great cheese.

3. Meridian Hill Park (aka Malcolm X Park). This dramatic park with an Italian flair is set set above the hill on 16th street just north of U street and is one of my favorite places near my old neighborhood in Columbia Heights. Go here to relax in the sun, or better yet, catch one of the weekly drum circle gatherings late on a Sunday afternoon. The drum circle has been going on since the 1950s and attracts professional musicians. I also hear it is one of the best places in the district to watch the 4th of July fireworks.

4. “Awakening” statue at Hains Point. I have to admit that I have only been here once, but have always wanted to go back. This eery statue of a giant trying to claw it’s way out of the earth is way off the beaten path in East Potomac Park. Hains Point juts out into the Potomac river just across from National Airport. No picture here because you have to see it for yourself.

5. Rock Creek Park. This is my favorite spot to go running and I always leave desperately wanting a puppy like everyone else. I can’t tell you where exactly to go in the Park because I seem to get lost every time I visit. I encourage you to take an afternoon and do the same.

Although somewhat new to the Washington D.C. area I have gathered a few diamonds, equally through investigation and recommendation, and thought I would share. These are 5 of my favorite places so far (in no particular order);

1. The Museum of the American India food court Mitsitam Cafe

From the Museum website…

“Mitsitam” means “Let’s eat!” in the Native language of the Delaware and Piscataway peoples. The museum’s Mitsitam Native Foods Café enhances the museum experience by providing visitors the opportunity to enjoy the indigenous cuisines of the Americas and to explore the history of Native foods. The café features Native foods found throughout the Western Hemisphere, including the Northern Woodlands, South America, the Northwest Coast, Meso America, and the Great Plains. Each food station depicts regional lifeways related to cooking techniques, ingredients, and flavors found in both traditional and contemporary dishes. While seated in the café, visitors can look out a wall of windows to view the Native habitat and water features of the museum’s landscaping.

2. The Robert and Arlene Kogod Courtyard at the National Portrait Gallery

The Norman Foster designed courtyard opened on November 18, 2007. The architecture and exposure is intensely elegant and the sheets of water on the stone floor is like a magnet. Photos don’t do this place justice… go see it! (the museum is quite good as well)

3. Venice

It’s not quite Venezia, but its as close as I’ve seen. I only lived in Venice for a few months, but it’s not an easy place to forget. The landscape is so wonderfully layered in section from the tree trunk foundations to the pink and blue sky. Canaletto does the latter with unmatched skill at the National Gallery.

4. Dumbarton Oaks

If you are going to pay to see a garden, it may as well be as beautiful as this one. Although relatively small, the garden is incredibly rich. You can download a copy of Beatrice Farrand’s plant notebook for the garden here, and note the changes since it was built. When I become a kabillionaire I plan to have a personal orangery similar to the one at Dumbarton.

5. The capitol columns at the National Arboretum

The columns were moved here in 1990 after being stored since 1958 following the addition to the East portico of the Capitol. The site was chosen by Russel Page. It’s a Room With a View you don’t often get.