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!