Washington Monument, late afternoon

 

I was at the Washington Monument a few days ago just before sunset and got this shot of it framed by the trees.  Lots of people playing on the lawn too.

Seneca Creek Greenway Trail

 Yesterday I went for a hike on Seneca Creek Greenway Trail in Germantown, MD. There is a parking area on the northbound side of MD-355 just after crossing Seneca Creek. From there you can take the trail to Watkins Mill Road.  The trail has a few hills on it, but isn't two strenuous.

As I was alking back I noticed this small stream that empties into Seneca Creek. The sun shown on the rock, the water, and some small plants, but there were also lots of shadows.

 

Spiderwebs in the sun

 

This morning I went for a walk on Cabin John Trail between River Road and Bradley Blvd and came across these dew-covered spiderwebs glistening in the sun.  On the way back, the sun had moved and the spiderwebs were entirely unremarkable.

 

UFC Freedom 250 is Sunday

 

On Sunday there will be a UFC (mixed martial arts) event at the White House, the UFC Freedom 250. The arena is currently being constructed, it is large and largely blocks the view of the White House.

 This is from the Washington Monument grounds looking across Constitution Avenue towards the elipse and the White House.  The white stand you see, as well as the black stage behind it (you can only see the canopy of it) is on the ellipse. Behind it you can see a blue and black checkerboard pattern, that is a huge digital screen.  Then, behind that is the arched "claw" of the arena with white stars on a blue background.  You can't really see it in this picture, but the actual White House is directly behind that.

UFC Freedom 250 arena

 It is a bit easier to see things when you are at the top of the Washington Monument looking down.  Now you can see the area with the claw canopy and a bit more of the White House.  In front of the area are three digital screens with checkerboard patters, VL is the Vertical Left one, VR is the Virtual Reality one (just kidding, I'm sure it means Vertical Right), then in the center is ST with a total LED resolution of 3848x1248.

 

 

 

 

Refilling the reflecting pool

 

I heard that they had started refilling the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool and on Friday I decided to check it out.

The water is slowly filling the pool, starting from the center, which is the deepest part. There were some people powerwashing to bottom and there were a number of trucks and trailers parked in the pool but out of the water.  There was a group of people in an ATV that seemed to like driving through the water and did it multiple times.  Even at this stage, the pool is reflecting the trees around it (and the Washington Monument if you are directly in line).