I regularly purchase equipment to enhance my travel experience. A couple of my recent purchases were intended to increase my ability to take pictures using my Samsung 23+ phone. One was a filter to reduce the effect of light on glass windows, which I found adversely affected pictures that I had had to take through car/bus windows. The other was a phone-mounted telescope that I hoped would increase my phone’s distance. With a major trip approaching, I needed opportunities to practice using this equipment effectively.
Since moving back to the DMV, I’ve missed the tulip festivals in Iowa, so when I learned of a tulip display near the Netherlands Carillon. I decided to create an all-day trip, adding a stop to the Lincoln Memorial so I could see and photograph the newly installed golden toilet statue, and a visit to the National Harbor and the Capital Wheel, where I wanted to get pictures.
Tulips and Carillon (Iwo Jima)
As I approached the area, I realized that I had been there before, during my evening tour of the DMV. I’d seen the structure then but didn’t know what it was, so I was pleasantly surprised to learn that it had a musical function. I had arrived a few minutes before the scheduled noon automated musical performance. This gave me enough time to add the telescopic lens to my phone and to get a few test shots of the area. The picture to the right has pretty good detail, but I need to practice more with the lens to see how to best take advantage of its capabilities.
I then found an area where tulips were displayed. Unfortunately, it seems that I either came too early or too late because there weren’t many in bloom.
Since I’ve already toured Iwo Jima, I headed to my second stop, the Lincoln Memorial. I’d read a recent news story about an art installation nearby of a “golden toilet throne” timed with the recent “No Kings” demonstrations held around the world. Although it was a Tuesday, I had not taken into account that it was Spring Break. There was simply no place close by where I could park long enough to walk to the site. I checked the time and decided to go to the National Harbor before the evening rush hour slowed traffic, then return to the Lincoln Memorial later in the evening, if time permitted.
The National Harbor
The National Harbor is a fairly new part of the DMV. It’s located on the banks of the Potomac River within sight of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. I’ve visited the MGM’s casino, mostly accompanying my Momma since I don’t enjoy gambling, and I’ve eaten at a few of the restaurants over time.
It was a lovely, sunny day with temperatures in low 80’s, which is pretty comfortable for me. I had picked the perfect day to be outdoors.
This was the first time I had walked the area closest to the river. The harbor is clearly intended for family use. There was a merry-go-round and a children’s playground near the lot where I parked. However, many of the kids there were drawn to the plaza, a sand-covered plot where a sculpture entitled The Awakening had been installed. I had seen the sculpture several years ago at Hains Point on DC’s East Potomac Park when my youngest brother took a friend and me on a tour of city sights.
After getting several shots, I slowly made my way to my destination, The Capital Wheel. The wheel’s gondolas are climate-controlled with space for a small group. For me, the attraction of the ride was the opportunity to get high views of the area, from the boats in the harbor, to the Wilson Bridge, to points further along the river. Below is a panoramic photo from my seat and others are further down.
I do wish that I had used the telephoto lens to take some pictures. It certainly would have given me another chance to see how effectively it could work.
Still, I did make a short video of part of the ride:
As I walked back towards SB, I decided to have an early dinner at one of the harbor restaurants, McCormick & Schmick’s. I’m not usually terribly adventurous when ordering meals since I don’t want to pay for a meal I don’t enjoy eating. For some reason, though, I made an exception and ordered their Sugar & Spice Cedar Roasted Salmon on a bed of farro risotto, with butternut squash puree and balsamic brown butter. I wasn’t surprised that the salmon was very good, but the risotto was a very pleasant surprise. Even the puree was tasty, and I am not normally a fan of squash in any form. A picture of the meal is below. Maybe it was all due to the ambience of an outdoor seat within sight of the river, or maybe it was just excellent food preparation,… on an outdoor deck near the river.
I waited until around 6:30 in the evening to drive back to the Lincoln Memorial. Even that late, the rush hour traffic was still ferocious (and I mean that both in the amount of traffic and aggressiveness of the drivers). I am so grateful that I don’t have to be part of the madding crowd twice a day each week. Curiously, the heavy car traffic was replaced as the evening progressed by buses and foot traffic. Night descended, so I gave up on the chance to get that throne picture that evening. Still, I haven’t given up on the idea.
Below are pictures from the day.
I’ve got one more item scheduled to arrive soon that I want to test. I’m thinking about making a short trip to give it a full test.