A retired educator, now a writer, photographer and adventurer, out on the open road. Trying to go everywhere, wanting to meet all the peoples of the world, hoping that I have enough time. A pacifist and global citizen, I walk gently and mindfully wherever I go. I will continue to have zigzag round-the-world adventures as long as I live. Hoping to be the best that I can be in whatever time is left.... full info
The Mall MapYou won't get lost on either side of the Mall if you use these map guides.
The TurnaroundOK..this foot journey is making its turn to the east, left on Jefferson Drive. Let's go up the other side of the Mall. First past the Department of Agriculture on the right.
The FreerHalfway down Jefferson Drive on the right we pass the Freer Gallery of Art: The Smithsonian's first Mall museum dedicated solely to art. The Freer is a hidden treasure, not visited as much as it deserves. It houses a stupendous collection of Asian art plus works by James McNeill Whistler.
Barbarian At The GateOur intrepid "foot-traveler" has made it to the Smithsonian Castle gate. Let's enter.
The Smithsonian QuadrangleThe walk has entered the Smithsonian Quadrangle, part of which is the 4-acre Enid A. Haupt Garden, a personal contemplative escape haven. The Smithsonian Castle looms in the background.
National Museum Of African ArtStill in the Quadrangle: The wonderful National Museum of African Art with a 7,000-item permanent collection of traditional African works of art.
Arthur M. Sackler GalleryThe other Quadrangle treasure: The Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, devoted to Asian arts, past to present. A personal favorite.
Still More FunSome places in the Haupt Garden force one to just let loose.
MeditationA place for meditation in the Haupt Garden.
FlowersFlowers add fragrance to the walk going out of the Quadrangle and back on to Jefferson Drive.
Mary Livingston Ripley GardenOn the right, the Mary Livingston Ripley Garden entices birds and tourists. Oh the lucky squirrels that live among the flower beds, getting fat on juicy buds and petals.
The HirshhornThere's the Hirshhorn. The so-called "doughnut" on the Mall. A great place to see contemporary art.
The Walker?Could this be our Mall-walker, turned to stone or salt or whatever for looking back on where he'd been?
The Hirshhorn Sculpture GardenAcross Jefferson Drive, The Hirshhorn Museum Sculpture Garden, sunk below ground level, beckons to the Mall-trekker: "Please walk through me"--"Enjoy the works of Rodin, Maillol, Gaston Lachaise, and Henry Moore plus a few of Matisse's relief plaques."
To The WestOK we're back on 7th Street and this walk is winding down with a look westward down at the other end of the Mall and the Washington Monument.
The Finish LineSo here it ends looking north up 7th Street towards the restaurants and watering holes of Chinatown, just a few short blocks away. Stay tuned for the next walk on the Mall. Coming soon.
Walk the Walk This takes me home to where my Mom pushed my stroller when I was a toddler some, ahem, 50 years ago. Many of the galleries and special gardens are new, but the castle, Natural History Museum, the National Gallery of Art and the Freer were all there in the 1950's and we'd visit them regularly. Thank you for an inspiring walk.
Peat O'Neil
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Walk the Walk
This takes me home to where my Mom pushed my stroller when I was a toddler some, ahem, 50 years ago. Many of the galleries and special gardens are new, but the castle, Natural History Museum, the National Gallery of Art and the Freer were all there in the 1950's and we'd visit them regularly. Thank you for an inspiring walk.