The DC Traveler

My favorite sculpture in the  Washington, DC are is The Awakening, located at Hains Point in East Potomac Park.
Sadly, it has been sold and will be moved to a new location.  On Wednesday, it will be dug up and begin its move to its new home.
The good news. It isn’t moving far.
The National Park Service “temporary” 2-year permit initially allowed the piece to be located in the park in 1980. But it’s been there ever since.
It has since become one of the most popular non-monument sculptures in Washington, DC and a great photo op for parents …read more

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Just about a mile from the National Mall along the beautiful Potomac River is East Potomac Park.  This National Park is popular with local runners, skaters, bikers and picnickers.  It also has an 18 and two 9-hole golf courses as well as tennis courts and a miniature golf course. 
But I think the highlight is at the end of the park, on a peninsula called Hains Point. There you’ll find a most interesting sculpture called The Awakening. It’s a giant 5-part cast aluminum statue that looks like a 100 foot tall bearded man.  He’s mostly buried and appears to  be struggling to free …read more

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The United States Marine Band will honor its most famous leader, American march composer, John Phillips Sousa, in a memorial morning concert at Congressional Cemetery.  This free concert will pay tribute on the 152nd anniversary of his birth.
The U.S. Marine Band was formed by Act of Congress during the presidency of John Adams in 1798 and has performed for every Presidential Inauguration since Thomas Jefferson’s.
Sousa took over the as the 17th leader of the U.S. Marine Band in 1880.  During his years as bandleader, he embarked on the first of many national tours where they introduced the nation to the …read more

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If you love horses or horseback riding, this week check out the 48th annual Washington International Horse Show. This 6-day competitive event includes dressage (ballet on horseback), barrel races, show jumpers, side saddle riding and a polo match. There’s even humorous Jack Russell terrier races. 

Over 600 horses and riders from around the world will be competing, including former Olympians and World Champions.
Tickets start at $15 for day passes and $20 for evening passes.
The Washington International Horse Show
October 24-29
Verizon Center, 601 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20004 (between 6th and 7th NE) 
Hours: Event hours vary by day.
Nearest Metro subway station: Gallery Place / Chinatown (the …read more

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Going back to the days of George Washington when the south lawn of the White House was purchased from a local tobacco farmer, it’s had a history of beautiful gardens.  President John Adams was the first to have flowers planted in the White House gardens; while President Rutherford B. Hayes was the first to have commemorative tree planted marking the nation’s centennial in 1876.  Woodrow Wilson’s wife planted the first rose garden in the west garden, which is the location of today’s famous White House Rose Garden. 
During President Kennedy’s term, he had the Rose Garden, located just steps from the …read more

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