Yesterday was another full day of adventures. We got up early and headed out to make a tour of the monuments before the day warmed-up. We started at the World War II Memorial to have a moment of reflection for my husband Rod's Uncle Laurel Ebert whose body was finally identified and returned for burial in Iowa this week.
Next we headed to see the reflecting pool, which was under repair (and a big muddy mess) the last time we were here.
It's such a reward to see Lincoln looking over it all after you climb those steps.
The first time we toured the monuments, it was raining all day ... so it was wonderful to see the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. statue in the full sunlight ... the little guy at the base was smiling so big.
And I stopped by to say hello to Eleanor, but due to flooding of the pump station, none of the water was flowing in that monument (which is filled with falls and fountains), which made it a strangely somber experience.
Next stop was the Museum of the Daughters of the American Revolution for an Exhibit called A Piece of Her Mind - Culture & Technology in American Quilts.
Next stop, the Smithsonian's Renwick American Art Museum. First stop was a Virtual Reality Exhibit by Ginny Ruffner called Reforestation of the Imagination... you downloaded an app or used provided iPads to position over glass tree trunks that worked as “bar codes” to make 3D images of the artist’s fanciful flowers appear ... so fun. This one blew a bubble out of the top that floated upward until it popped.
Next stop was the amazing clay works of Michael Sherrill. In addition to following his artistic evolution, I loved listening to the interviews about his creative process and the struggle to make art he enjoyed, but also that people wanted to buy, so he could support his children.
Next for lunch, we had one of the best Charcuterie spreads we've ever experienced at Opaline... the French meats and cheeses were amazing, as was the slightly crystalized honey, fig spread, and Marcona Almonds. We added some fries and roasted asparagus to round out our feast.
And I always judge a restaurant by it's bread basket ... and this one was perfection with those soft spreadable cheeses.
I took advantage of Museum Day to get a free admission to the National Museum of Women in the Arts. I loved this painting It Made Sense ... but Mostly in her MInd by Amy Sherald ... but I was more transfixed with how she created the background.
Here's a close-up of the amazing effect.
I also loved Varianto by Joana Vasconcelos.
Final stop of the day was supper at RPM Italian where I had the best Eggplant Parmesan that I remember tasting.
Another great day in the City.
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