Construction on the Mall

It wasn't the prettiest run I've had through DC. On the National Mall between 7th and 12th Streets NW, the National Park Service is restoring the Mall's turf with durable grass varieties, placing granite edging, and installing sustainable systems to improve soil drainage and collect storm water. The expected completion date is January 2017. The Capitol dome is covered with scaffolding. Visitors still abounded around the Smithsonian museums, but you kind of feel bad for the tourists that it looks so ugly.

Rolling Thunder's Ride for Freedom

If you live in DC, you cannot help but notice the thousands of motorcyclists that rumble into our area for each Memorial Day Weekend. This year marks Rolling Thunder’s 28th annual Ride for Freedom; Sunday, 12 noon, from the Pentagon to the National Mall, West Potomac Park. This is to demonstrate their commitment to help veterans and to account for missing soldiers from past and current wars.

E pluribus unum: Out of Many, One

"Out of Many, One," is the English translation of E pluribus unum. The Washington Post wrote a great article (with a great aerial picture) about this landscape portrait, by Cuban American urban artist Jorge Rodriguez-Gerada. It is on display until October 31, stretching six acres near the World War II memorial. I should have taken a picture of the workers--it was the oddest thing--grouped together putting stakes in the ground. Now it makes more sense; although, from the ground it is not much to look at and they weren't allowing anyone to walk through it.