Trees in the backyard (WA)

 Back to identifying the trees in the backyard in Sammamish WA. The two to the Eastside in the backyard appear to be western red cedars, perhaps. The one in the neighbors yard to the south that juts in is some kind of fir (balsam fir?) and the one in the distance that towers over all else is most likely a drooping Juniper. 

Revival -- Hiking around the washington DC metro area with a stroller.

Alright.. its pandemic times AND high time this blog was revived. A lot has changed since the last post.. but what remains the same is my love for nature. and hiking. except now we have a baby in a car seat and stroller base and "buy all terrain stroller" on our to do list. Enter the search for paved trails.

Our conquests thus far:

The DC mall area. So great for strollers, so great for social distancing. Love the trees

Sligo creek trail in Maryland. Great for strollers, good for social distancing early early on a weekend morning. Lovely creek, shady paths and friendly walkers. Magical at 7am, hot and humid at 10.

Huntley Meadows

Lubber run trail leading to the 4 mile run trail and the bluemont junction trail.

Beautiful shaded park with a creek running through it followed by a mostly shaded trail through a quaint residential neighborhood. 

Capital crescent trail

Nice views of the Potomac.

4 mile run from lubber run/ W&OD to barcroft park. Completely shaded and chok full of ups and downs.

Leeslyvania state park

Rapture!

What's flowering

National Museum of African American History and Culture

An engrossing visit to the soon to be open National Museum of African American History and Culture. 4 hours and we were still not done with all the exhibits.

A statue of Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, with a wall behind that had a slab for each of the slaves he "owned" at his Monticello estate.

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Black power salute at the '68 Olympics

Found on the sidewalk

A sign that fall is approaching

Chilli peppers

Earlier this year I scattered a few chilli seeds into a couple of pots. The little seedlings that emerged have grown into plants that are about 3 feet tall and replete with flowers and fruit. For a while I had only flowers, that would drop off (probably because of the high summer temperatures) and I thought I would have to engage in some "artificial" pollination techniques (one youtube video showed how to sort of tickle the flower in order to disperse the pollen within itself) but very soon I had little chillis all over. There seem to be about 15-20 on one plant and I am busy thinking of ways in which I can use them in my cooking.