Mount Vernon!

Yesterday, for what will likely be our last museum outing of the year, Diggory and I took Grandma Becky and Grandpa Doug to George Washington's Mount Vernon Estate, Museum and Gardens.  We decided to close out a year of awesome museumness with a big, colonial, and patriotic huzzah!  You'd probably guess, that due to the significance of the place and of the man in our nation's history, and given the size of the estate itself, that this would be one of the longer blog posts in my archive.  But, even visiting the site with an eye toward catching the most blog-worthy of aspects, I was struck by how straight-forward and smoothly our trip turned out to be.  Well done, Mount Vernon, well done.  I might not actually have that much to say, gasp!

Waiting with Grandma and Grandpa for the film.  Diggory thought the decorated Christmas trees and holiday decorations were, "Wooooowwww!"

So...let's get started.  We arrived slightly after 10am, and I was pleasantly surprised that there were a lot of parking spots left.  I good omen for the smaller crowds we encountered inside.  Once we purchased our tickets...ages five and under are free...we browsed the exhibits in the Ford Orientation Center before viewing the orientation film in the theater.  There are plenty of restroom facilities here and an information desk where you can find out what's happening all around the estate during the day.  After the 25 minute film..."some battle scenes may not be suitable for young children"...we ventured outside into the very blustery day toward the mansion.  We had timed tickets for a half hour later, so we strolled leisurely up the walk and then turned left up the handicap/stroller accessible path toward the Upper Garden. We encountered two presidentially-pardoned Thanksgiving turkeys.  Diggory was quite intrigued.  

Gobble, gobble, gobble.

It was pretty cold, but at least there's a good number of buildings to block the wind!

We cut through the Upper Garden just before the Lady Washington Gift Shop, and came up to the mansion from the northwest.  Even though it wasn't quite our time to stand in the queue for the mansion tour, there wasn't anyone else in line so we popped right in and only had to wait about ten minutes.  We parked the stroller between the Gardener's House and Servants' Hall...just don't forget to claim it when you come out of the tour on the complete opposite side of the mansion.  'Cause we did...and got almost all the way to the Old Tomb before we remembered!  Diggory was a pretty good sport on the tour...helped by the fact that he loves being carried around by his very tall Grandpa Doug.  Who wouldn't want the best view in the house?!  The third floor of the mansion is only open until January 6, 2013, so it was a special treat to visit this rarely-seen space.  

It was quite windy, with upward of 50 mph gusts!  The photo of Diggory and his grandparents didn't turn out well, at all.  :)  Here's a slightly better one of me, to prove I was actually there.  

After our mansion tour, we walked down the hill to the south and looked inside the Storehouse, Smokehouse, Paint Cellar, Wash House, and Coach House and then made it to Washington's Tomb before heading back up the hill around the Fruit Garden and Nursery and Lower Garden on the west side of the  grounds.  We skipped the Slave Memorial, Wharf, Pioneer Farm and Sixteen-sided Barn because, well, it was just too darn cold.  We did make a brief stop just past the Bowling Green to visit Aladdin the camel, on view through the holidays.  In 1787, George paid 18 shillings to have a camel brought to Mount Vernon for Christmas to entertain his guests...so it's totally historically accurate.  

Watch out, they spit.

We were glad to finally get back indoors when we reached the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Education Center.  The museum houses spectacular items from the site's permanent collection and hosts temporary exhibitions.  (I got to be involved in one a few years back in my past life at museum collections manager at the Society of the Cincinnati, and it was such a privilege.)  Currently on view through August 11, 2013, Hoecakes and Hospitality explores how foods were prepared and presented in the 18th century at Mount Vernon.  I scored at least five recipe cards...a brilliant idea...and am very much looking forward to making the "ragoo of asparagus."

Even though our tummies were now grumbling (brilliant ploy to get visitors into the food court and restaurant, by the way), we took a not so quick spin through the Education Center.  Embarrassingly, even after all my visits to Mount Vernon for family trips or in a professional capacity, I had never walked through the Education Center.  Eek!  So, we finally went and it was so cool.  Lots and lots of interactive and eye-catching exhibits, generally organized chronologically through Washington's life.  There are dioramas, films, sounds, lights, and historical objects sprinkled here and there, including George's not-wooden lower jaw dentures.

Thoroughly starving by now, we were lucky enough to snag a table for four at the Mount Vernon Inn restaurant and had their famous peanut and chestnut soup and sandwiches.  Also, I should have mentioned that there are restrooms in various locations around the museum and education center, and near the food court and gift shop, but perhaps the most handy one is the handicap accessible restroom right next to the hostess stand.  It's big enough for a stroller and there's a counter just perfect for diaper changes.  Perhaps it's not meant for that, but I used it...and wiped it down, too.  So there.  You gotta do, what you gotta do.

It was way, way, way past bedtime by the time we left, so we sang about a million rounds of Old MacDonald's Farm to keep Diggory awake for the whole ride home.  We succeeded, and then he crashed out for a three hour nap.  And mommy got some shut eye, too.   

Grandma and Grandpa watching his every move.  :)

So, I think I'll call it quits until next year, which, really, is only next week anyway.  Diggory and I visited SEVENTY-TWO museums and cultural or historic sites this past year, and seeing as how we didn't actually tick off all of the places I wanted to go, I think we'll just have to renew our resolution for 2013, and go for it again.  What do you think?  Fifty-two museums in 2013?  I think, I can.  I think, I can.

Happy New Year!  And thanks for reading!  

The Intrigue of Historical Markers

It's been quite some time since I've posted.  I made a couple of cross-country trips over the past few weeks and had to finish my Christmas shopping, which, in my defense, takes a lot longer when you have a toddler in tow.  But, alas, I don't have any terribly concrete excuses for not keeping my goal of visiting one museum a week for a whole year.  I guess my biggest excuse is that I've already visited way more than 52!  I counted a few months ago, and I was already at 54.  So there.  I've dropped the ball a few times since then, going a week or more between postings.  But for goodness sake, I've been busy.  It's not that I don't think about visiting a museum or historic site, I just don't actually muster up the motivation to do it.  Today we did something different though.  And in my defense, all the other places I thought to visit today were closed.  So there.  

Instead of visiting a museum, Diggory and I went shopping.  I had a coupon, and I wanted to use it.  We found ourselves in Bailey's Crossroads, a neighborhood in Fairfax County, Virginia full of big box stores, car dealerships, and our trusty Trader Joe's.  I've stopped to read this particular historical marker before (see photo below), but today I thought I'd post a picture so all of you can see it too.  It's a total cheater's blog post, I know, but there's a special place in my heart for historical markers, and here's why.

On every family vacation taken in my youth, inevitably, my father would ask, "What did that sign say?"  He was usually referring to some historical marker.  And the tricky bit was that we were usually traveling at 65 mph.  No one can read that fast!  But, after some trial and error, I believe I became really good at surmising the gist of said marker with only a split second to actually read it.  And what I didn't actually read, I usually just made up.  But, ever since then, I've made it a point to read most markers I see.  I even pull over the car, back up, walk across the parking lot, etc.  It's amazing what you learn when you "stop and smell the...er...read the marker."  

For example, did you know that Bailey's Crossroads has a connection with the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus?!  I had a forehead-slapping, eye-rolling "duh" moment when I read the marker the first time and also realized that that's why the "Now Entering Bailey's Crossroads" signs have circus tents on them.  Turns out that Hachaliah Bailey purchased the northeast quadrant of land formed by Leesburg Pike and Columbia Pike in 1837, and his son, Lewis Bailey, who pioneered the canvas circus tent and owned a traveling menagerie, settled on the land in the 1840s.  Some sources say he needed a place to keep his exotic animals during the winter.  The land also included a large mansion house called "Moray," which burned down in 1942.  All that exists now is Moray Lane, which would have led directly to the house, but now cuts directly through the Crossroads Shopping Center parking lot.  It's entirely possible that the house once stood exactly where I had to stand to take this picture.  

I love imagining what the landscape of our neighborhoods once looked like "back in the day."  And I only hope that those who once lived here wouldn't be too disappointed that there's now an Old Navy in what would have been their backyard.  Maybe they'd be delighted that I could hear the laughter of children wafting up from the Glen Forest Elementary School playground too.  And I hope it might bring them comfort that there are still those of us willing to read the historical markers. 

Pentagon and Air Force Memorial

Yesterday morning, Diggory and I had the pleasure of touring the Pentagon with our friend Julie, who had kindly invited us to tag along with some extra passes she had.  We got up early and drove to the Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, where I've become accustomed to parking whenever I want to take the metro downtown.  The Pentagon metro station is only one stop away, so it's an easy commute.  Plus, the escalator out of the station shoots you out of the ground right in front of the visitor's entrance to the Pentagon.  You have to book tours in advance, and there's a whole list of things you can't bring with you (i.e. cameras, and hence, no pictures!), but the whole process seemed pretty straightforward.  And, always remember, if you follow the rules and are nice to the security personnel, they'll be nice to you, too.  It also helps to have a charming toddler with you!  I didn't take the stroller, and opted instead to wear Diggory in my backpack carrier.  It worked great and he was surprisingly well behaved on the hour long tour.  If you do take your stroller, the tour guides will gladly escort you via elevator.  

Once you get inside the Pentagon, you'll be directed to the tours waiting area before you check in at the tour window.  There are lots of chairs, restrooms (though no changing tables), and several displays (with interpretive panels!) about each of the military branches and the Department of Defense.  There's also a gift shop.  Yes, a gift shop.  Members of the military conduct the tours, and one of our tour guides was also a member of the Honor Guard, who conduct the ceremonies and funerals at Arlington National Cemetery, among other duties.  The tour route snakes through the five rings and the ten corridors of the Pentagon Building, a city in itself, with over 23,000 military and civilian personnel.  And it's very much an office building, but with a few perks...like its own floral shop, hair salon, Best Buy, food court, chocolate shop, jewelry store, luggage shop, toy store, etc.  Your tour guides will bombard you with random, though interesting, statistics, like...  Did you know that the Pentagon has six different zip codes?  And, did you know that the Pentagon has 691 drinking fountains?  

As you go along, you'll come upon display after display of historic photographs of foreign military campaigns, domestic assistance campaigns, like Hurricane Katrina, and military home life and families.  One of the more interesting installations were the historic reconstructions of the building and office space when the Pentagon was first constructed in the early 1940s and just before one of the more involved renovation projects in the early 1990s.  The most poignant moment, however, was definitely the brief visit to the memorial inside the building for the 184 people who lost their lives in the Pentagon and on board Flight 77 on September 11, 2001.  We did not visit the outdoor memorial, but I would very much like to see it one day.  Our last stop on the tour was in the main entrance lobby, where one of the three enormous and breathtaking September 11th Memorial Quilts and the Flag Quilt are displayed.  

After we completed the tour, we exited the building and got back on the metro.  Julie went off to work, and Diggory and I headed to the car.  Since we couldn't take pictures at the Pentagon, I knew just where to go to get a good photograph to document our trip.  The United States Air Force Memorial is just a short drive away, and up the hill on Columbia Pike overlooking the Pentagon.  There's onsite parking, bathrooms, and a small gift shop, but the best aspects of the memorial are, by far, the three stainless steel spires soaring skyward and the impressive views of the Washington, DC skyline, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Pentagon.  Our visit was short, but it was definitely worth it.

Diggory checking out the Washington, DC skyline from the Air Force Memorial.  Washington Monument on left, U.S. Capitol Building at center, Pentagon at right behind trees.

The three shining spires of the Air Force Memorial.  

  

Green Spring Gardens

Yesterday afternoon, Diggory and I joined our friend Christina at the manor house at Green Spring Gardens to view an oil painting and watercolor exhibition entitled Beauty in All Seasons.  One of the women from our painting class had many beautiful paintings in the show, and we wanted to see them!  I've got my eye on one or two if my husband needs some ideas for a Christmas gift.  The exhibition was presented in two rooms in the historic manor house, originally built by John Moss in 1784 and privately owned until 1970 when the current owners deeded the home to the Fairfax County Park Authority.  There are not formal tours on a daily basis, which is actually a good thing if you have a toddler, so you can browse the current exhibition and the first floor of the house at your own pace.  There's a gift shop too, and the attendant will gladly share her knowledge about the construction and history of the house.  There's a spacious restroom too (though no changing table). Pick up a calendar of events before you leave, as there is a variety of public programs and teas offered throughout the year.  

Diggory was pretty enthralled by the "open" sign, and I couldn't get him to look at the camera!

After we saw the exhibition, we walked through the gardens to the horticulture center.  There's a library, gift shop, exhibition space, public restrooms, and an information desk here, so make sure to pick up a map of the grounds.  The gardens fill 28-acres and there are paths that lead all over to more than twenty separate gardens including a children's garden, a greenhouse, a vegetable garden, a native plants garden, and two ponds filled with ducks and geese.  It's really lovely, and we'll definitely be back to explore more often...it literally took me three minutes to drive to Green Spring from my house, so I'm feeling extra guilty for not visiting until now. 

Diggory, what do ducks say? "Ack, ack, ack."

Christina checking out the photography exhibition in the horticulture center.

Quiet Respite

A few days ago, the day after the election, in fact, Diggory and I needed to get out of the house.  I was in a bit of a post-election funk and not in the mood to travel very far or battle for parking in downtown Washington, DC, so we got in the car and headed for Old Town Alexandria, hoping for some museum-going inspiration along the route.  If nothing else, I told myself I could just engage in some sort of retail therapy at Paper Source.  There could be absolutely nothing wrong with that, right?  Well, as it happened, I found an excellent parking space right next to the Torpedo Factory Art Center, and walked up the hill along King Street to the Alexandria Visitors Center at Ramsay House.  Located at the corner of King Street and North Fairfax Street, the Ramsay House is centrally located in the heart of lower Old Town Alexandria, and it is a worthwhile stop for even longtime Alexandria residents.  Though the current building is a reproduction of the original 1720s home built by Scottish merchant and city founder William Ramsay (the building burned down in the 1940s), it's still a nice resource for information and a quiet respite from the usual hustle and bustle.  Walk up the stone steps and approach the house from the garden...stop to take a few pictures of your adorable child, like I did.  

Once inside, pick up any number of brochures for area sights and attractions.  You might be surprised by what you didn't know or didn't remember was nearby.  For example, I picked up a brochure about the historic 1770s Christ Church, just a few blocks west of Ramsay House.  More on Christ Church below.  But, before we ventured out, we went downstairs to inspect the "facilities."  If you navigate the stairs or if you enter the building from the handicap accessible entrance off King Street, you'll find two large unisex restrooms.  Only the one to the left of the large flat screen television, and closest to the stairs, has a changing table.  Also, I supposed this is good information to have if you're just strolling down the street with your little one and need a restroom asap.  And speaking of restrooms, the parking ramp underneath city hall and Market Square (literally just across North Fairfax Street from Ramsay House) has men's and women's restrooms as well.  I am continually pleased with their cleanliness.  Just FYI.

So, off we went to Christ Church.  I needed a quiet and contemplative space anyway to lift my mood.  From Ramsay House, walk west on King Street and then turn right (north) onto Washington Street.  Walk one block, and then enter the Christ Church courtyard and cemetery through the archway in the brick wall.

Constructed between 1767 and 1773, the Georgian-style church has stood witness to countless important events in American history, from the American Revolution through the Civil War, and has hosted congregations including such notable persons as George Washington, Robert E. Lee, Winston Churchill, and Franklin Roosevelt.  It really is an amazing building, with an amazing history, and really worth the 20 minute (ish) tour, if you just open the door and step in.  The church still has an active congregation and three or four worship services every Sunday, but it's open for visitors and tours Monday through Saturday from 9:00am until 4:00pm, and on Sundays from 2:00pm to 4:00pm.  We were greeted by a very nice and knowledgeable older gentleman who showed us around the sanctuary and pointed out George Washington's pew and other highlights.  Afterward, we walked across the courtyard and into the modern administrative building to check out the gift shop.  Very cute, indeed, and I was almost tempted to purchase some watermelon rind pickles.  With my spirits lifted, we wandered back in the direction of the car...but I still stopped by Paper Source for some therapeutic and much-loved crafting goodies. 

Long Branch Nature Center

Does the Long Branch Nature Center count as a "museum"?  There are interpretive signs and live animal exhibits, so I'm going to say, wholeheartedly, "Yes!"  I've driven past the entrance to the Long Branch Nature Center, operated by Arlington County and located just off of South Carlin Springs Road, on numerous occasions, and this week I decided to take a probably-too-quick-to-be-altogether-safe and somewhat spontaneous turn into the park.  It was a beautiful day, the sun was shining, the leaves on the trees are really starting to turn into all sorts of beautiful colors, and I just couldn't resist the opportunity to finally check out a place that had sparked my curiosity for so long.  So, after a leisurely drive down the long and narrow driveway, we arrived at the smallish parking lot at the end of the road.  Just up the hill is the nature center's main building, and we were pleasantly surprised to encounter several species of snakes and turtles native to the area  who have found their homes in the live animal displays.  Pick up a brochure about the center, which includes an excellent map of the surrounding 17 acre park.  You'll want to continue your visit outside.  But, before you venture out of doors, walk past the restrooms (changing table equipped) and check out the kid-friendly Discovery Room, stocked with coloring pages of local wildlife, an easel and chalk, and a play house filled with stuffed animals and bean bags.  Too cute.  Also, grab a calendar of events before you leave.  We signed up for a Tiny Tots program in mid-November.  (There's a $5.00 fee and reservations can be made online, and you do not have to be an Arlington resident to participate.)  

Diggory checking out the snakes.

Another snake.  This was a lively one, hence the blurry snake head!

Heading outside, we first checked out the bird feeding area and saw a few species of our little feathered friends.  Then we walked back down the path (paved, I might add, for those of you who bring your stroller) and walked through several special gardens - butterfly, fern, rose, etc.  There are some non-paved paths around a small pond and crisscrossing between some of the smaller gardens, but you can certainly stay on the paved trails and have an equally enthralling exploratory experience.  (Nice alliteration there, Lindsay!)  The main trail further into the park generally follows Long Branch Creek until you reach Glencarlyn Park and Four Mile Run.  There are two playgrounds within the larger park area - Tyroll Hills Park is located adjacent to South Seventh Road and South Dinwiddie Street, or up the hill and to the southeast from the nature center building, and the other is just across Four Mile Run from the parking area on South Harrison Street, which is also accessible off of South Columbus Street on the east side of Four Mile Run.  Have I thoroughly confused you?  Check it out online, and I'm sure it will make more sense.   

Hanging out in the backpack carrier and hiking with momma.

We should have ventured further into the park, as we were really only a few moments from reaching the George Washington (who once owned this land) survey monument positioned where Long Branch Creek meets with Four Mile Run, but, alas, we were already encroaching upon nap time, and I didn't want to deny my poor babe (or his mother!) of some much needed beauty sleep.  On our way back to the car, we did take a moment to check out the Domes Homes, three structures made from branches designed by area middle school students in conjunction with the Arlington Arts Center.  This public art installation will be on view indefinitely.   

As we always do, we had a wonderful time, and we'll be back again for some more outdoor explorations!

Fort Ward Museum

Diggory and I visited the Fort Ward Museum and Historic Site yesterday morning.  The weather was beautiful, and I wanted to take full advantage of an outdoor museum-going activity.  Plus, I've driven past Fort Ward and signs pointing to Fort Ward more times than I can count.  It was time to take a gander and see the site for ourselves.  After making three turns...yes, only three from my house to Fort Ward, including one out of our driveway and one into the parking lot...we arrived on the grounds of Fort Ward.  It's a museum and historic site, but it's also a park with several picnic areas, a very nice and well-shaded playground, and an amphitheater.  There are two parking lots near the site's entrance, one immediately to the right and one to the left behind the museum building.  Park your car behind the museum for the best access to the building, the Fort Ward ceremonial entrance gate, the reconstructed Officer's Hut, and the restroom facility (a separate building) with the only changing tables in the park.  There is a ramp into the museum building immediately adjacent to the parking lot.  If you don't have your stroller, go around the building to the front entrance.  The displays inside the museum are very well done and provide a great overview of the Union Defenses of Washington during the Civil War.  Fort Ward is the best preserved of the ring of 164 forts and batteries constructed to protect the capitol against Confederate attacks.  You will also learn about daily life in the fort, how the fort was built, specific military campaigns in Northern Virginia, and the ongoing archaeological projects at the site.  Pick up a self-guided walking tour brochure before leaving the museum building and continue your visit outside.  

Momma and Diggory at the Fort Ward ceremonial entrance gate.

Diggory posing for the camera outside the museum's front entrance.

The original earthwork walls of the fort and the restored northwest bastion have been partially reconstructed to provide visitors a view of what the original fort would have looked like.  Follow the paved driving loop past the restrooms and enter the interior of the earthen fort from several bridges over the moat.  The loop is .6 miles and definitely walkable (or strollerable), but there are several parking areas around the loop near each of the picnic areas if you prefer to drive.  Just opposite the parking for Picnic Area 1, there is a handicap accessible path into the fort and the northwest bastion.  Once you cross the bridge, you'll go through a grassy area before reaching the pea gravel surrounding the canons.  The pea gravel is nice but impossibly deep for successfully pushing (or pulling) a stroller around.  Letting Diggory walk around resulted in lots of throwing of rocks, and he was only mildly interested in posing for the camera.  I read the interpretive panels (of course) while he climbed the stairs for a better view of the fort's layout.

Diggory climbed the stairs to reach the top of the hill over the storage magazine.

After thoroughly investigating the northwest bastion, we crossed the driving loop and rolled down the hill to the playground.  I couldn't pass it up or deny Diggory the pleasure of swings, slides, and various climbing apparatus.  In fact, he was none to pleased with me when I said it was time to go.  We traveled back up the hill, easier said than done with the stroller...there's not a path and lots of tree roots impeding our chosen route, and finished our walking loop around the park.  I stopped to read the rest of the interpretive signs and even took Diggory's picture next to the historic marker near the fort's entrance off of Braddock Road.  There's an amphitheater about two thirds the way around the loop with a more modern and handicap/stroller-friendly restroom in the rear.  Once we were back at the museum, we took our picture near the ceremonial entrance gate and loaded up the car.  Diggory fell asleep on the way home, despite my best efforts to keep him awake with several rounds of Old MacDonald's Farm, and as a result he didn't eat lunch until way past the usual time.  But, it was all worth it for a wonderful morning spent in wonderful weather with wonderful company. 

Toddler-eating plants!

Diggory and I just got back from a wonderful morning outing to the United States Botanic Garden with our inherently blog-worthy museum-going buddies, Rachel and Max.  See previous posts for other Diggory and Max museum shenanigans.  The weather was beautiful - perfect for exploring the indoor plant exhibits in the Conservatory and for strolling in the two outdoor gardens, the National Garden and Bartholdi Park.  And, Diggory and I tried something new!  I'm so sick of taking the stroller on the metro, so I used our Boba backpack carrier!  It was awesome.  We hadn't used it since our trip to Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, and Venice, and I had forgotten how much I love it.  There were times I wished he wasn't strapped to my back, of course, but it sure beat navigating the multitude of metro elevators, and we never had to worry about steps, ramps, doors, etc.

We arrived at the main entrance to the Conservatory via the National Garden at Third Street SW and Maryland Avenue SW, found Rachel and Max, and then played with pebbles for a while.  The boys did, not the grown ups.  Upon entering the building, we headed straight for the East Gallery and the exhibition Savage Gardens about carnivorous plants on view until October 8, 2012.  Diggory and Max loved exploring the inside of the ten-feet-tall tropical pitcher plant!  

The pitcher plant ate our babies!

After thoroughly exploring the fate of unlucky insects, we headed out to the Children's Garden...where I quickly realized that I didn't bring a change of clothes for Diggory, and the three fountains and water pump could be particularly problematic.  Somehow, wonder of all wonders, I dissuaded him from getting completely soaked.  Though I think he was a bit jealous of Max...who did get utterly drenched.  Luckily, there were plenty of other distractions available for Diggory's amusement, such as the bamboo forest, play house, and vine-covered tunnel.  Older kids can try their hand at planting small plants in a dedicated garden plot...small trowels, shovels and watering cans provided.

Diggory playing nicely before soaking an entire shirt sleeve.

Trying out the water pump.

Escaping the tunnel in the children's garden.

After a quick snack and Max's wardrobe change, and my continuous attempts to keep Diggory out of the Garden Court fountain, we entered into the Jungle, a multi-story wonder of tropical plants.  The canopy walk is super fun - and amazingly, handicap and stroller accessible via the elevator in the northwest corner of the room.  After our stroll through the jungle, we explored the rest of the Conservatory.  I can't remember the exact route we took, but as Rachel pointed out, there's really no wrong way to go through it.  Even if you have to back track a little bit, you'll probably see something you didn't notice during your first pass.  I will mention briefly, though, that the restrooms are located in the "back" of the Conservatory, between the desert and medicinal plants rooms.  Changing tables and spacious.  Our final stop in the Conservatory was the West Gallery exhibit Plants in Culture, highlighting how plants are used in everyday life.  I thought the "sensory experience" of smelling different plants and their products, like spices and tea, was really neat...and many of the aroma laden sculptures are at a child's nose height.  I should also mention that when we arrived, there were many children gathered for the Sprouts program for children ages 3-5 years old.  Cute!  Check out the calendar for other programs that might peak your or your child's interest.

Aerial view of keeping Diggory out of the fountain.

After we were done inside, we ventured out of doors and strolled through the Rose Garden before crossing Independence Avenue SW to arrive at Bartholdi Park, named for the beautiful cast-iron "Fountain of Light and Water" designed by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and originally displayed at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876.  There are two handicap ramps to enter the garden, one on Washington Street SW and the other on First Street SW, but the steps at other entrances are rather short and deep, making it easy enough to pull your stroller up or down without going out of your way to find the nearest ramp...neither of which are at the entrance closest to the Conservatory.

After our stroll through the garden, we walked up Independence Avenue to the National Museum of the American Indian for lunch at the Mitsitam Cafe.  I love that place.  Also, I realized another plus to the backpack carrier...two hands to hold your tray of yummy food!  All in all, an incredible morning spent with awesome people!

Posing for the camera in Bartholdi Park...what a view, the Conservatory dome and the U.S. Capitol!

The Lyceum

Diggory and I visited the Lyceum in Old Town Alexandria yesterday.  I'd never gone, despite more than one post of employment at area museums and historic sites, and it was time to make amends.  Plus, it certainly helps my motivation that the weather was perfect, there's free parking, and it's close to many of my favorite Old Town shops.

Located on Washington Street, the "through Old Town" portion of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, the Lyceum is Alexandria's history museum.  The beautiful Greek Revival building was built in 1839 as a community cultural center, and it still functions, in part, as that today, hosting a full calendar of lectures and concerts.  The suggested donation is $2.00 for adults, an admission price I will gladly pay for the free parking.  A quarter buys you nine minutes at some Old Town meters, so the free parking is a major bonus.  The main entrance is located on the Washington Street facade, up several steep steps and through the columns.  The stroller accessible entrance is located through the parking lot or from the ramp just to the left of the main entrance.  The museum's exhibits are all located on the first floor, making a quick stroll through the galleries fairly straightforward.  The chronologically arranged permanent exhibit situated on either side of the main lobby follows Alexandria's history from its earliest inhabitants in 10,000 BC through the Civil War era and to the modern age.  The rear of the first floor is dedicated to changing exhibits.  The current exhibition is Occupied City: The Civil War in Alexandria, on view through September 2013.  The restrooms, plenty spacious and with changing tables, are located just past the gift shop and near the exit to the parking lot.  

The lecture hall upstairs is a good place to let little ones wander, or so I was told by the friendly staff at the information desk.  We traversed the long flight of stairs to check it out, but all the lights were off, so we came back down fairly quickly.  There is also an elevator, if you are so inclined.

Diggs humored me with actually sitting mostly still for this photo outside the Lyceum's main entrance.

There are several child-friendly features for children, such as a scavenger hunt, this coloring table, and several interactive, flip-book style text panels.

Just across the street from the Lyceum, or, actually, IN the street at the intersection of Washington and Prince Streets, is the Confederate Statue, or Appomattox, dedicated in 1889 to the Confederate soldiers from Alexandria who had lost their lives in the Civil War.  Given the number of sesquicentennial events happening in Virginia and beyond this year, I thought it was appropriate that we go to an exhibition about the Civil War this week, and contemplate the significance of that small statue that has wrecked havoc on my commute, oh so many times.  

Luckily, the Lyceum, as I mentioned, is conveniently located near many wonderful shops and cafes.  In fact, just on the other side of the parking lot is the opened-not-so-long-ago Society Fair, the latest project of the masterminds behind Restaurant Eve, The Majestic, and Eamonn's, among others.  It is, indeed, and "epicurean delight," and I very much enjoyed browsing the sweets table, cheese offerings, and other goodies nestled throughout the market.

Diggory enjoying a beverage while momma has an espresso at Society Fair, next door to the Lyceum.  The Confederate Statue is in the background, top center.

It was a wonderful morning, topped off with a trip to Paper Source, 529 Kids Consign, and the newly opened Bucket List Boutique just a few blocks down the road.  Diggory had so much fun that he fell asleep in the car on the way home and even stayed asleep while momma carried him to bed for the rest of his nap.  Wonder of all wonders.  He's such a good little tag-a-long.  

Home again, home again.

Before too much time passes, I should probably update my blog, yes?  We found ourselves, yes, all three of us (momma, daddy, and Diggory) in Iowa again.  And although the circumstances were less than ideal, it was such a pleasure to spend more time with our family.  But, we're back in DC now, and getting back into our daily grind...and hopefully more regular blog posts from me.  During our second trip back to Iowa, we did visit one more cultural institution, not a museum per se, but a respected gallery space and arts venue nonetheless.  

The Octagon Center for the Arts is a non-profit institution in downtown Ames, Iowa, offering a variety of educational arts programs, a dedicated gallery space, and a retail museum shop filled with goodies from local artists in a variety of media.  We visited out of a sense of desperation...Diggory was cranky, really wanted to go outside (but Grandpa Doug, his outdoor companion, wasn't home yet!), and I needed gifts for our kitties' sitters.  What better place to fill the void?!  Plus, it helps that the Octagon is only three blocks from Nana's house!  So, Nana and the doggie Zoe joined us too!

We found what we were looking for...awesome goodies for our kitties' sitters in the shop...and also stopped by the Ames British Foods store next door (the former, smaller Octagon space) for some Iowa wine.  Yes, Iowa wine at the British foods store.  The street-level gallery space is currently hosting the exhibition Box, Book and Board: Svec, Anders-Bond, and Garcia through October 27, 2012.  I was particularly enthralled because I've recently taken an interest in creating my own stationary and even purchased some hand-marbled paper form the Octagon shop during our first trip back to Iowa about three weeks ago, so I loved the paper-based shadow boxes and book arts on display.  It's a small gallery, but beautiful, and easy to access from the shop.  Restrooms are located in the back of the gallery.  There are no changing tables, but they are plenty spacious and very clean.

After our quick trip through the gallery, we strolled over to the nearby Bandshell Park.  Daddy used to play the trumpet with the Ames Municipal Band here, so we thought it would be a fun place to visit, for old time's sake. Diggory didn't really like the stage, but he loved swinging with Daddy!  

Tiny human on a big stage.

Diggory loves swings!

All in all, it was an excellent afternoon, even if it was 100 degrees outside!  We'll definitely be back...we love Iowa, and Diggory loves those swings!

Is this heaven? No, it's Iowa.

I haven't posted for a few weeks because Diggory and I went on vacation!  We went "home" to Iowa for fourteen whole days to visit family and to basically relive my childhood through the eyes of my now almost eighteen month old son.  It was a fantastic trip for so many reasons, and I was a little sad to return to this "home" in Washington, DC.  But, alas, daddy didn't come with us to Iowa and we missed him so, so, so very much.  We just couldn't stay gone forever!

Before we arrived in Iowa, I made a list of some museums and historic sites that I wanted to visit.  We didn't make it to all of them...had to set aside plenty of time to play with rocks in the driveway, swing in the hammock, and ride tractors on the farm...but we did make it to three places that were at the top of my list.  

First, we packed up a picnic lunch and headed up the road a few miles with Grandma and Grandpa P. and Uncle Erik to Story City, Iowa.  After we fixed sandwiches and cleaned up, we walked a few paces down to the antique carousel!  A more comprehensive history is online, but suffice it to say here, that the carousel was built in 1913 by the Herschell-Spillman Company in New York and is complimented by a 1936 Wurlitzer Military Band organ.  After traveling the area for several years, the carousel found a permanent home in Story City's North Park in 1938.  It was restored in the early 1980s and was rededicated in 1982.  I have tons of memories of riding the carousel as a child, at family reunions, after swimming at the nearby pool, and before trips to Dairy Queen by my grandma and grandpa Peterson.  I have to admit that I did tear up a little bit when the carousel took off for Diggory's first ride.  I was sentimental, and I was a little freaked out...I forgot how fast it spins!  Holy moly!  Hold on tight!

After we took our rides (Diggory went twice because Grandma wanted to ride with him too!), we browsed the old pictures and display cases with original parts not used in the restoration.  I also thought to myself, "I wonder if I can find any pictures of Erik and I on the carousel when we were little."  Before Diggory and I flew back to D.C., I spent an evening digging through old pictures, and look what I found!  A picture of me on the same carousel rooster!  Wowzers!  I guess it was meant to be!

Diggory with momma on the Story City carousel, 2012.

Momma with cousin Kelly on the carousel, circa 1987.

Uncle Erik reading the interpretive panels and historic documents.

Grandpa admiring the historic photographs and awaiting Diggory's final spin on the carousel.

Display case of historic artifacts and original carousel pieces and parts.  The can of wasp spray behind the plaque is a classy touch.

A few days later, Diggory and I were joined by Grandma P. and Grandma Becky at the Gilbert Community Historical Society Museum.  It's in my hometown and just opened a year ago or so.  I had been really wanting to go and check it out.  It was actually really fascinating.  I'm a bit of a history nerd, so I always tried to pay attention to my grandparent's stories about the people and places of their past.  I recognized a lot of the names in the early photographs, but I definitely learned a lot of new tidbits.  For example, Hezekiah Gilbert moved to the area in 1867 and donated land to extend the railroad to and through the town.  He was also the first postmaster.  There was also a "real" Charles Mathews and Joseph Shepard, as in Mathews Drive (the main drag) and Shepard Street, on the west side of town.  

There are tons of framed photographs and a room of historic artifacts that temporarily rotate to represent different aspects of life throughout the town's history.  I also really enjoyed browsing through the racks of Gilbert High School yearbooks, which range from 1916 through the early 2000s.  Here (below), is an image from 1972 (I think).  My dad is in the front row on the right.  I am so proud of him for wearing jeans and not those awful striped pants.  Because it was Tuesday, we just HAD to walk up to the Open Flame for burger night.  Grandpa Doug joined us and we had a wee of a time.    

Grandpa K.P. in high school, wearing jeans, thank goodness.

For our final museum-ish outing, Diggory and I went with Grandma Becky, and Poppy and Nonnie (daddy's grandpa and grandma) to Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines.  It was super fun, and the weather was beautiful.  They have made a lot of improvements since the last time I was there...or at least it seemed that way, I haven't been there since junior high, fifteen years ago at least.  Everything is super stroller and kid friendly, as you would assume, and it's very clean and easy to navigate.  Diggory's favorites were the otters, wallabies, giraffes, and goats.  I thought he would have been totally enthralled with the seals and sea lion show, but he was much more interested in the adorable blonde three year old sitting next to him.  I swear he's got a thing for blondes.    

Diggory and the otters.

Diggory pointing out the wallaby.

Diggory feeding the goats with Grandma.  Thank goodness for hand sanitizer.

I was super excited to take Diggory to feed the goats and the calves.  He "sort of" figured it out.  I only bought one cup of livestock feed (for $1), and that was probably a good decision.  He decided that feeding them (or trying to feed them) rocks was also a good idea.  I thought it was interesting that they now have you feed the goats through little cut outs in the fence.  I had a distinct memory of being IN the goat pen when I was little.  And a distinct memory of a goat being IN Erik's stroller.  So, here (below) is a photo of my momma, Erik, and I feeding the goats at the zoo when were were little.  Very little...I think Erik must have been less than a year old, which would make me three-ish.  And look, the goat is IN the stroller.  Too cute.

Momma (me, in the pink raincoat), with Uncle Erik (my little brother), and Grandma P. (My momma, isn't she pretty!), at the zoo, circa 1986.

Grandma Becky, Diggory, Nonnie and Poppy watching the giraffe feeding at the zoo, 2012.

We covered a lot of ground, ate lunch (Diggory had corn dog nuggets), and took a spin through the new Discovery Center, complete with rainforest and aviary, before browsing the gift shop and heading home.  I hope Diggory remembers all the fun we had, and if not, I'll at least be sure to show him the pictures when he's older.  

Oh, gosh.  I almost forgot!  We also went to the Iowa State Fair with Grandpa and Grandma P.!  I suppose it could be considered a historical attraction in and of itself, but there is an Iowa State Fair Museum and Gallery that we visited for the first time, with the express intention of including it in this blog post.  Silly me, how could I forget?!  

Located north and east of Pioneer Hall, the museum building and gallery showcase iconic fair sights and attractions.  From the annual butter cow sculptures and livestock weigh-ins to staged train locomotive collisions (video from 1932 here) and chicken calling competitions, the historic photographs and interactive displays aim to bring the history of the fair to life.  The train collision videos from the 1920s and 1930s were fascinating, for sure, but I was more drawn to the rows of rocking chairs on the museum's front porch.  Excellent for people watching and good for the soul.

Neither the Deets Historical Museum building or the Kenyon Gallery have public restrooms, but they are air-conditioned and handicap/stroller accessible.  Restrooms can be found in several other nearby buildings.

Diggory and Grandpa K.P. watching the train locomotive collisions.

Spending a few quiet moments, and escaping the crowds, sitting in the rocking chairs on the front porch of the Iowa State Fair Museum.

All in all, a most excellent trip to Iowa, and a few sights and museums ticked off my "to visit with Diggory" list.  We'll be back next summer for round two for sure, if not before.