Jefferson Memorial behind fall foliage
Photo : Güldem Üstün
colors in President ’ s Park during the fall . Continue walking south down 17th St ., and stroll through Constitution Gardens for a complete fall gamut .
Heading toward the Lincoln Memorial , walk past the WWII Memorial along the Reflection Pool and you will be shaded by tree after tree . Likely , elm or cherry tree leaves will float down into the water . From the steps of the monument , there is an extraordinary view of The National Mall and the bright colors of fall . Continue walking to the Korean Veterans Memorial , which is just southeast of The National Mall . There are 19 sculpted statues by Frank Gaylord of Barre , Vt . The soldiers are seemingly moving through a field . The field is composed of juniper bushes , which symbolize rough terrain . Not only a stunning memorial , it is home to some of the more than 20,000 trees and thousands of flowers , water plants and shrubs living on the National Mall and surrounding memorials . The colors thriving and vibrant , and there are rangers who can answer questions daily from 9:30a . m . - 10p . m . The memorial , along with the Pool of Remembrance , were built as a dedication to those U . S . Armed Forces members who served and gave their lives in the Korean War . Curling around , visit the Martin Luther King , Jr . Memorial , the Tidal Basin and end at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial , which is located on seven acres of land not far from the Tidal Basin . It is a peaceful and educational park , and features cascading waterfalls , rich fall ambience , bronze statues and engravings of inspiring quotes .
With wobbly legs , worn out from an educational , yet colorful ramble , it ’ s time to journey on wheels . The United States National Arboretum , home to the 1828 U . S . Capitol
Building sandstone columns and over 400 acres of botanical wonders , is a must see for true botany fans . While the Arboretum is astounding , do not delay in visiting the incomparable autumn spectacle : Skyline Drive .
For a view of pure , fiery reds and oranges blazing through your windshield , drive directly west . Skyline Drive is more than a 100-mile stretch , twisting through the Shenandoah National Park . It winds through a conflagration of raging reds , oranges and yellows bursting from the tops of poplar , oak , black gum and maple trees . There are 75 overlooks along the drive , which offer spectacular views . The speed limit is 35 mph making it easier to meander . There is a vast array of wildlife in the park . Drive with caution to avoid coming nose-tonose with a wild turkey , deer or black bear .
In addition to prudent driving advice , preparation is always smart . Enter the park with a full tank of gas . Because most of the service areas in the park are closed after mid-November , you should be stocked up and gassed up . However , if you ’ re visiting in September , October or early November , there are plenty of service areas throughout the park . Big Meadows Wayside is approximately midway into the park and has all the amenities you ’ d need . If you ’ ve been hypnotized by fall ’ s embrace , stay the night . Big Meadows Lodge , located just one mile from the grassy meadow at mile 51 , has rustic cabins and rooms . Dine at the Spottswood Dining Room or head another 10 miles down Skyline to the Pollock Dining Room located at the Skyland Resort . The views are mind blowing everywhere . If you decide on staying at Big Meadows Lodge , cap off your evening with drinks at New Market Taproom .
Variation On Red Maple
Photo : Shenandoah National Park
FLYWASHINGTON . COM 46 AUTUMN 2017