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