KENILWORTH AQUATIC GARDENS, WASHINGTON DC

As mentioned in my last post on the Hummingbird Moth, last Sunday (the 5th) we went to a park we haven't been before. Gregg saw it on a local TV channel a couple of months ago and made a note of it.  When we were trying to decide where to go he remembered this place.

We headed to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens in Washington DC.  

We didn't explore even a third of it.  The truth of the matter is it was incredibly hot. Our first clue when we arrived at the parking lot, was a lady who had already had her walk and was getting into her car.  She looked exceedingly tired and she told us it was way too hot for her, as shown by the overheated look she had, and the way she sat into the driving seat with a thud.  

We looked at each other and knew that I would have the same trouble with the heat, and I did.  Hubby's warning, "Now remember, as far as we walk in, that's how far we have to walk out." Oh wise sage, he is always right. He is and always has been my Jiminy Cricket. I can get that look in the eye like I am going to climb a mountain, and right now I would have a hard time climbing an ant hill.  

Yes the writing was on the wall, but we had both enjoyed a lovely walk around a couple of the ponds and for now it was enough.  And here is my wise sage.

Even that short walk exceeded all expectations, and we will be going back in the cooler weather.

I think we saw the flowers and plants at their peak though.  These are the kind that love this weather, and it may be past the prime time for water lilies and lotus by the time we get back.  Thankfully we took lots of photos between us.

Everywhere you look there are the most beautiful lotus, and water lilies, and other pretty flowers too.

There were three artists on the other side of one of the ponds.  By the time we got there two were on their way out, but what I saw of their work was lovely.  

I asked the lady in the photo below if she sold her paintings.  She said yes, that she would have them displayed in a gallery soon, and gave me her card.  I was told that if I looked on the website given, it would have a list of places we could view her work.

A small crowd had gathered.  She was very nice and was patiently answering the questions of a young girl, whose mother proudly stated she was very artistic and liked to draw.   Pastels were this lady's medium.  What I could see on her easel I would have loved hanging up in our house.  Hopefully we can get to one of her gallery showings.

We are not too far from our car and there is blessed shade.  The heat goes down at least 10 degrees and I spot another shade lover.

It was loving the shade as much as I was, and as soon as I left another lady walked into my spot and started taking photos.  She saw that it had its own kind of beauty, just as I did.

When we reached the car we drank a river of water, which was still lovely and cold.  We drove through Washington DC and I took more photos of the lovely old homes and tree-lined streets.

As we pointed the car home, Gregg asked me if I would like to eat at a Vietnamese Pho Soup restaurant he used to go to before he retired. He found it as though his last visit was yesterday, and we had a nice bowl of beef and noodle soup.  Why not, hot weather and a hot bowl of soup?  It was excellent and we had no problem with it.  I wish I could remember its name, but I took no further photos.  Next time, as I am sure we will go the next time we visit Kenilworth.  It was a very nice ending to the day.

There will be more photos from here at a later date.  

Thank you for stopping by and have a great day.