Alexandria, VA

It's a Saturday and none of us feel like going into DC proper, so we opt for Alexandria, VA, which is located just south of DC on the banks of the Potomac River.

Map showing Alexandria VA and surrounding area

Alexandria started off as a British colonial town and predates both the American Revolution and Washington DC. In October of 1669, 6,000 acres were granted to Robert Howsing to help transport 120 people to the colony of Virginia. Not long afterwards, this tract of land became the City of Alexandria. Today the Old Town is known for its brick sidewalks and wonderfully preserved 18th and 19th century buildings. No wonder, it is a favorite place to live for many Washington DC professionals.

Founders' plaque has become eroded

More readable version

Alexandria, Virginia County Seat of Fairfax 1742 - 1800 Organized 13th July, 1742 Incorporated by the Assembly of Virginia 1779 Ceded to the Federal Government 1789 First Boundary stone of the Federal District laid 15th of April 1791 Capitulated to the British 28th of August 1814 Retroceded to Virginia July 1846

After finding parking, we wander the streets of the Old Town.  The old brick sidewalks and old buildings are a real treat to see.

Brick sidewalks

Old brick building used as a store and apartments

Historic details

The older buildings and homes are a real treat for us - much different than California.
As we walk around Old Town, we notice a plaque on the sidewalk.  It's a trap door that was used to drop blocks of ice from the Potomac River into bails of hay for use throughout the warmer months by the tavern next door.

Trap door in sidewalk

Ice well with hay

Sometimes an f shaped letter was used for S's

We turn the corner and notice the Gadsy's Tavern sign. This old tavern was built around 1785 and became a central part of the social, economic, political life of Alexandria.  Yes - of course, George Washington really did eat here.

Gadsy's Tavern sign

George looks hungry

House season specialty - Pumpkin Ale

The inside is worth seeing as it retains many original features. Even though we enjoy the food, we especially like getting a feel of what it was like to dine and drink here post Revolution United States.

Bar area

Peter likes his Pumpkin Ale

Chicken pot pie

Back on the street, we notice a building with flood water level markings literally set in stone. Looks like the Potomac River flooding Old Town Alexandria isn't all that uncommon.

We also find Nicecream, a liquid nitrogen ice cream shop.  Of course, we stop for dessert.  The staff put on quite a show assembling our orders with the nitrogen bubbling over the mixing bowls. Feels like Dr. Frankenstein's Lab. Although the ice cream is really good and the nitrogen puts on a great show, I can't decide if it actually tastes better than any other high quality ice cream.

As we wander outside, we notice a store featuring risque lingerie. Power politics and sex do always seem to go together.
Next we walk over to the Torpedo Factory, which has been renovated as an art center. Yes - this building once housed an actual torpedo factory. The US Navy began construction shortly after Armistice Day, November 12, 1918, which marked the end of WWI. After the building was completed in 1923, it served as a munitions storage until 1937 when production started on the Mark XIV, the Navy's standard submarine-launched anti-ship torpedo of WWII. After the war ended, the factory briefly manufactured parts for rocket engines before closing down in 1946. On May 7, 1974 the Art League was granted their request to renovate and use the building. Today the center provides working and selling space to more than 165 artists.

River front patio behind Torpedo Factory

Historical Timeline

3000 pound Mark XIV torpedo

Inside we find a large open and airy space lined with many different shops and work areas.

Some larger art pieces are displayed in the main walkways. Our favorite is the papier mache Tyrannosaurus Rex plastered with dollar bills.

Tyrannosaurus Rex

Protesters with the elephant in the room

Female form

We really enjoyed our day in Alexandria and plan to take a historical walking tour on our next visit.

Alexandria City Hall

Meadowlark Botantical Gardens, VA

Map showing Founding Farmers and Meadowlark Botanical Gardens

 This map was posted after several questions about where these places are located.

One day Jonathon and Tracy join us for lunch at the Founding Farmers (of South Dakota) restaurant in Reston, VA. The reason the hostess looks unhappy is that I asked her to step just behind the horse for her to appear more like a centaur.  Needless to say she was not as amused by the idea as I was.

Entrance to Founding Farmers

Grumpy hostess

The food here is really good. Having heard about Impossible Burgers, I had to try one and am delighted. In fact, we are all happy with our orders.

These desserts look tempting, but not on my diet

Peter likes the menu

While the others discuss family business, I watch a window washer working on a building across the street. Hey - I'm a country girl and don't spend much time in large cities with high rises and am easily amused by window washers. After lunch we drive to the Meadowlark Botanical Garden. Tracy points out this botanical garden is recommended in the Atlas Obscura.

Window washer dangling from cables

Los tres hombres - Mark, Jono & Peter

Entrance to Visitor Center at Meadowlark

This Visitor's Center is one of the nicest we've ever seen. Looks like a great place for weddings and important meetings.

Entryway

Fireplace

Looking back to the entrance

Outside, the grounds are truly beautiful. Many of the trees already have Christmas lights. Too bad we won't be here, it must be quite a sight at night around the holidays.

We notice an intriguing Asian garden and walk over to check it out.  It's the Korean Bell Garden built in 2007 as a collaborative effort between the botanical garden and the Korean American Cultural Committee (KACC). 

Entrance to the Korean Bell Garden

Love this rock

Koi pond in the Korean Bell Garden

In the center of the garden is a beautiful pagoda with a corbelled roof. These kind of roofs are known by scientists to survive major earthquakes without any damage. The large bronze bell hanging in the pagoda is the Bell of Peace and Harmony. It was cast by one of the best bell makers in Korea using a centuries old traditional style featuring images of birds, animals and even those symbolic of Virginia.

Peter and Jill pay homage to the garden

The Bell of Peace and Harmony

Bird's nest in pagoda's roof

Surrounding the Peace Bell pagoda are a number of Korean sculptures. The dol hareubangs are human forms carved from porous basalt.  They feature bulging eyes, a long broad nose, and a slight smile. Their hands are placed on their bellies, with one higher than the other and they have a rounded cap on their heads. Replicas are commonly sold to women with fertility issues. The jangseug or village guardian is a totem pole like sculpture carved out of wood.  They are frequently placed around the edges of a village to frighten away bad spirits. The sotdae are long wooden polls with mostly a bird, usually ducks, sitting on top. Being associated with water, the ducks are thought to control rain and thunder and thus serve as a protection from floods. Also, in general, birds are seen as messengers between earth and the gods. 

Dol hareubangs

Jangseugs

Sotdaes

This garden looks like the dreamy embodiment of the Hudson River School of painting.

Such a romantic place

No wonder it's such a popular place for weddings. As a matter of fact, we come across a pre-wedding photo shoot taking place at the pavilion over one of the lakes.

Pavilion with koi swimming lazily in the lake

Wedding photo shoot

Dreamy place for a wedding

At the far side of the lake is a children's garden containing storybook sculptures.

Mr Toad

White Rabbit

Woody Woodpecker ?

The romantic mood is enhanced as the late afternoon light fades into evening.

Gazebo for trysts

Local Lovebirds

Late afternoon

It's been a lovely day and we all really enjoyed ourselves. If you get a chance to visit the DC area, try to make time to see this botanical garden. It's well worth your time.