There was one more post hanging back from my favorite museum in Washington D.C. and I better share it before I forget. The Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens was full of surprises.
The Japanese-Style garden was tucked below the edge of the other areas of the huge estate.
You had to go down these stairs to enjoy the garden.
Tucked into a wooded area and surrounded by rhododendrons and azaleas, the Dacha, or Russian country house, is a romanticized interpretation of a small peasant house. Built in 1969 during the Cold War, when U.S. – Soviet relations were tense, Dacha represents a nostalgic view of Russian culture.
The architecture features many elements typical of authentic Russian peasant dwellings, such as the whole-log construction and the intricate carvings around the windows and door. Other details are American adaptations of Russian motifs. The bright colors of the window carvings and the roof’s onion-shaped domes are typical of Russian churches. The Dacha on this property is used for museum programs and Hillwood’s changing exhibitions.
I hope your summer is going well. Dear was off last week and he worked on our basement project and it’s getting close to getting done. He has another week off the end of August into September and I’m dragging him away from the house so he does something besides work on this old house. We booked a night on the coast of Oregon and a night at Bonneville Hot Springs on the Columbia River in Washington State just across from Oregon. I’m looking forward to it. Have you all already had some vacation?
The Happy Wonderer ~ ellen b. 
love these images, your trip looks utterly fantastic!
Especially liked the Dacha and the stepping stones across that stream. Did you walk on those stones…they looked like you could!
Lovely…and interesting! And your upcoming plans to whisk your hubby away sound lovely…and interesting as well. I’m off to google Bonneville Hot Springs.
So, so beautiful. I want to be there right now! Love the little house tucked in the back.
My grandmothers family had a dacha in Russia. As soon as I read the word, I remembered it’s meaning.
What a beautiful place that garden is. I love the dacha and its ornamentation.
It’s a beautiful garden and reminds me of the Japanese Garden in Washington Park in Portland. Love the Dacha!
I enjoyed seeing the gardens and the Dacha. What wonderful, intricate, embellishments around the windows.
No, no real vacation and none expected this summer. Too much to do before the snow flies. I am glad that you are hauling your beloved off lest he spend all his time working. You’ve got the better idea.