Category Archives: Travel

Bishop’s Garden ~ Washington National Cathedral

Thank you for your care and concern about my procedure Friday morning. Everything is just fine and I won’t need that procedure for another 7 years! We went out for a nice dinner and all is well. Hope your weekend is off to a good start…

Continuing with my posts from our time in Washington D.C.  I’m breaking down the posts so you don’t get photo overload. The grounds of the Cathedral, called the “Close” are comprised of fifty-seven acres, which include the Cathedral, three schools, the offices of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington and St. Alban’s church.  The grounds also include the Bishop’s Garden.

 

The Bishop’s Garden is modeled on a medieval walled garden.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Equestrian Statue of George Washington sits at the base of the Pilgrim Steps. From here, the Pilgrim Way winds through the 5 acre Olmsted Woods.

 

This is a side door to St. Alban’s.

Washington D.C. has so much to take in and enjoy. You can never see it all in one trip. I’d suggest you choose one major site a day and do it justice. You could add in a smaller site but beware of overload. Space your day out with a good sit down meal, too.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with blurred out versions and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Outside the Washington National Cathedral

 

This cathedral, officially the Cathedral Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, had its beginning in 1893. The foundation stone was laid in 1907 in the presence of President Theodore Roosevelt, and the Cathedral was completed in 1990 – 83 years later – when the “final finial” was placed in the presence of President George H.W. Bush.

 

Built of Indiana limestone, the Cathedral is the sixth largest in the world. Its design is unique and not copied from any earlier building. The building is shaped like a cross, with a long nave – a tenth of a mile- and two shorter transepts.

 

 

 

The Cathedral’s architectural style is Gothic, characterized by great height and the use of pointed arches, boss stones, ribbed vaulting,  large windows, and flying buttresses.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When visiting these wonderful historical sites there’s always something you miss or at least I miss. I tend to learn more about the site when I finally get ready to post about it on my blog. Although I did notice these Gargoyles, I totally missed the fact that Darth Vader was one of the Gargoyles on the Cathedral! Here’s an explanation.

In the 1980s, while the west towers were under construction, Washington National Cathedral held a decorative sculpture competition for children. Word of the competition was spread nationwide through National Geographic World Magazine. The third-place winner was Christopher Rader, with his drawing of that fearful villain, Darth Vader. The fierce head was sculpted by Jay Hall Carpenter, carved by Patrick J. Plunkett, and placed high upon the northwest tower of the Cathedral.

You would need binoculars to see it so I don’t feel too bad about totally missing it!

My thoughts and prayers are with the people in the areas of our country hit by devastating tornadoes and other weather related tragedies. Praying that God would sustain them while they work to recover.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with blurred out versions and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Stained Glass ~ Washington National Cathedral

Get ready for photo overload. I have so many photos to share from our trip to Washington D.C. that I’ll have to break my posts down to different aspects of each spot I visited. The Washington National Cathedral was amazing to visit. Today I’ll share the Windows for you for Ruby Tuesday with Mary at Work of the Poet.

 

This is the Space Window which holds a piece of moon rock brought back by the crew of Apollo XI.

 

 

One theme, told moving from the west to east, is the story of redemption through faith. Beginning at the west facade and west rose window with the story of creation, this theme continues through the clerestory windows, and ends with the sculpture of Christ in Majesty at the high altar.

 

 

 

 

Christ in Majesty at the high altar.

 

This series of 3 photos shows 6 of the 12 disciples of Jesus.

 

 

 

I’ll be posting more photos of the Washington National Cathedral in the next couple of days.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with blurred out versions and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Last Night in D.C.

This photo is from last night. We took a moonlight monument tour in Washington D.C.

Tonight is also our last night in D.C. We’ll be back in Washington state tomorrow morning.

 

It’s been wonderful to be in our nation’s Capitol but I’m looking forward to being back in our other Washington.

Woohoo! My brother Leonard is in Baltimore for a business trip and he’s going to drive for an hour to come and meet up with us! What a fun turn of events. Leonard lives in Dallas with his family and we don’t often get to see each other. A very nice way to cap off our trip to D.C.

Blessings…

Photobucket replaced all my photos with blurred out versions and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

At the Capitol…

 

Oops! The people I stopped to take a photo of me in front of the Capitol cut off “Freedom” at the top. Oh well…I zoomed in so you could see her!

 

Here’s a link about her.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with blurred out versions and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Union Station

Another example of beautiful architecture here in Washington D.C.  This is a photo inside Union Station which is close to the Capitol. Today I’m going to try to see some sights before the thunderstorms roll in this afternoon!

Blessings on your new week…

Photobucket replaced all my photos with blurred out versions and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Postal Museum

Love the great architecture in Washington D.C. The Postal Museum was a nice small museum to take in.

Once I get back to Washington State I have so much to share.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with blurred out versions and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

Besides Sightseeing…

…we are tasting.

 

El Salvadorian, Turkish, Italian, Seafood, Irish, and homemade granola and yogurt.

 

 

What day is it? The whole downtown area of D.C. is filled with police officers from all over the country so I feel a little safer walking around. I figure if I need help all I have to do is scream and there will be a policeman from somewhere nearby…

 

Today I’m going to brave a taxi ride to a destination I can’t get to by public transit. Hmm… I’ll let you know how that goes.

Photobucket replaced all my photos with blurred out versions and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

D.C. Photo of the Day…

 

Thomas Jefferson Memorial

We saw this on our first day here from the D.C. Trolley.

I spent some time at the Portrait Gallery today. Then I checked out the Postal Museum and Union Station. Tonight I’m just taking it easy in the hotel room while Dear is attending some meetings. I’m so glad Blogger got things and is getting things fixed. Happy weekend to all of you!

Photobucket replaced all my photos with blurred out versions and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.

D.C. Photo of the Day…

For the rest of my stay in Washington D.C. I’ll try to post at least one photo a day…

This was taken inside the Washington National Cathedral. Beautiful rays of light were cast on this statue of George Washington inside the Cathedral. Here’s a different view.

Wondering what is up with blogger. I can’t leave comments on any of your Blogger Pages. Hope they fix the glitch soon!

Photobucket replaced all my photos with blurred out versions and they are holding my photos hostage until I pay them lots of money. I’m slowly going through all my posts and trying to clean them up and replacing some photos. Such a bother.