Arriving in Washington D.C. on Thursday, I am excited to be in our nation's capital again.  I have

been fortunate to have family in the D.C. area, and have been able to visit Washington a couple of times

through the years.  This time I am here for the 2010 American Society of Landscape Architects conference,

I am very excited to have the chance to learn new ideas to utilize in and around Huntsville.

On this trip, I am also excited to have the chance to visit some of the new memorials, and parks that I have

never visited.  On Thursday, I visited two parks that I have not seen on my previous trips to our capital.  The

first is Pershing Park.

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The Park is in honor of the WWI general John J. Pershing.  I was astonished to find such an oasis directly inside

of the city.  The site is on Pennsylvania Avenue, and just away from The White House.  The park is designed

around a pool that muffle the noise of the road, as well as granite  steps that lead out of the water, and up berms

to continue to soften the city around it.  The plantings are River Birch and Pennisetum grasses that further allow

the visitor to dissappear from the busyiness around the park to a very tranquil setting for a moment's peace.

The second park that I visited on Thursday is right next door to Pershing Park.  It is a complete opposite from Pershing,

but is very interesting nonetheless.

Freedom Plaza is a representation of the history of planning of Washington D.C.

(Capital Building with Pennsylvania running to the White House)

Fountain at Freedom Plaza.

The Plaza is fully of quotes from the founding fathers, and other great Americans on their thoughts of the creation of

Washington D.C., and what it means to our country.  It is definately worth a visit to move across the words of

time.

More to come from Conference!  Stay Tuned!