Yours truly has a lot going on today, so I am presenting a post that I wrote some time ago (January) and never got around to posting.
Enjoy!
GF
For those of you who don't live here in the Washington, DC area, I have to tell you that we have been enjoying the mildest "winter" that we have had in my nearly 21 years of living in this area. The weather has been so warm that I had to mow my lawn again last week... and my grass is still growing!
Well all our great weather came to a head last saturday, when the temperatures reached into the low 70's. We knew it was going to be warm that day, so we decided that we were going to leave the suburbs for the day to go visit the National Cathedral, which is in northwest DC. We had considered making a second attempt at the Zoo, but figured it would have been too crowded (we learned later that we were sooo right).
We headed up I-95 towards DC, but before we got into the city, just as we neared the Pentagon you can see the Cathedral on the hill in the distance.
If you drive into the city regularly, it is something you see nearly every day... but since it is, you can take the view for granted... you shouldn't, it is a beautiful church.
We drove into Washington across Memorial bridge, and took the leisurely drive through scenic Rock Creek Park until it was time for us to go across town to Connecticut avenue. We made it to the Cathedral in relatively short order and found an awesome place to park about a half a block away from the Cathedral entrance(if you have ever been here, you know how cool it is to find good parking!).
Let me tell you, friends, if you have never been to a Cathedral, and you have the opportunity to visit this one, trust me when I tell you that you will be impressed! Not only will you be impressed by the beautiful architecture, but also by the fact that although the Cathedral is called the National Cathedral, it was built and is maintained entirely through donations.
The Cathedral is the principle church of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, and is the regular home church to many of the area's Epicopalians.
We had a fine day of exploring the nave, and the various chapels within the cathedral, concluding with a lengthy browse through the museum's shop.
The Cathedral is a great place, and I enourage you to go visit.
GF
7 comments:
When we lived in Alexandria ... we went to the National Cathedral...
I remember how beautiful it was!
I loved living back there.... there was always a great place to go.
YOu realize that it's hot enough as it is right now, so we don't need to hear about how warm it was in January, right?
I loved my first visit to DC, but was 5 months pregnant and had my 11 year old nephew and father with hip problems in tow. We did the Smithsonian, but not much else. Now you have just added to my list. Thanks!
Man, I live in the area and have never been there. Guess it's time for a visit!
I used to live in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood, so I was a stone's throw away from here. Used to love walking by it, going inside it, you name it. It was a sight to see.
I really have to visit DC!
I think I saw the National Cathedral when I was twelve, but I didn't really fall in love with Gothic architecture until years later. I should go back and ogle the barrel vaults.
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