This Is Why I Like Living Next to a Big City

I’ve lived most of my life in Virginia, born and raised here.  Across the Potomac River from Virginia is Washington, DC. I’m happy to be a Virginian but I love having DC close by.  Most people think of the federal government and the museums and monuments when they think of DC.  And those are terrific.  (The monuments and museums, I mean.  The government, well, let’s just say it has its up and downs.) 

But beyond that federal, muesum-y core, Washington DC is a big-time city.  There is never an end to things to do in DC .  A new Hirshorn Museum exhibit, a Georgian (the one in the Caucacus, not the US South) restaurant, a play at the intimate Arena Stage, paddle-boarding under the Key Bridge, the Red Cross memorial garden pocket park, a parade (or a protest!), a view of the Mall from the US Capitol steps, a statue of a cat balancing on a top hat on the foot of a boy balancing on a girl, and more and more and endless more. 

Here’s a random DC day of mine from last week.

The Washington Post put out a list of DC’s best sandwiches.  The “G Man” at Mangialardo’s Italian Deli in DC caught my eye. Let’s check it out.  But as long as I’m in DC for a sandwich, what else should I do?  

You may have heard about a national founding of our country 250th birthday celebration going on this yearI was too young for the 1976 Bicentennial party, but I'm here for this one!.  Among dozens of commemorations, I noted a blurb for the National Arboretum.  The Arboretum, run by the US Department of Agriculture, is a research facility/public garden, well known around these parts for its overflowing late spring azaleas and it’s leftover Greek Corinthian-style US Capitol columns.  

There are also bonsai at the Aboretum.  Amazing bonsai. 

Like some of you probably, my first bonsai moment derives from some Mr. Miyagi Karate Kid wisdom.  According to Mr. Miyagi, all you need to do is picture the tree and then cut it. “If come from inside you, always right one“, he respondsMaybe in a few years, English will evolve into Miyagi-speak. Clearly we don't need all those extraneous subjects and verbs. to Daniel-san’s concern.  I suspect — hope?– the National Arboretum approach to caring for their bonsai is more sophisticated than Mr. Miyagi’s approach. But maybe not? 

Anyway, I’ve got a plan. I’ll grab a G-Man sandwich, eat it at the Arboretum overlooking the Capitol columns, and then check out the bonsai.

One could drive downtown and do all of this, but where’s the fun in that?  Much more interesting to pick up the Metro from Virginia, ride to Potomac Avenue in the Capitol Hill neighborhood, stop by Mangialardo’s, get the sandwich, and then ride a Capitol BikeShare bike to the Arboretum.  

My plan works. I quickly find the sandwich place. You just know a slightly dingy looking storefront like this is just focused on making lots of good food. They don’t need to update the decor.

After a 20 minute ride through interesting DC neighborhoods, only getting lost (briefly) once, I ride into the open gates of the Arboretum. I pedal around a bit on the sunny roads, enjoying the views, then find a shady bench with a view.

How’s this for a lunch spot: 

After riding more around the quiet and nearly deserted Arboretum, I drop off my bike and walk over to the bonsai tree exhibit. 

This exhibit is a DC treasure.  The website says its the finest bonsai museum in the world.  I’ve not been to any other bonsai museums that I can recall, so I can’t say whether that is true or not, but it is amazing.  The setting and architecture frame the small living masterpieces like pictures in frames. 

And, like many things in DC, it’s all free.  There’s not even a security line or tickets.  You just walk in and enjoy.  And I did. 

After getting my fill of bonsai and other peaceful Asian exhibits of rocks and scrolls, I ride my bikeshare bike back to Stadium-Armory Metro for the trip across the river and back to Virginia. 

Riding to the Metro, I needed to pull out into a lane to make a left turn toward the station.  I turned my head to check behind me and saw a car approaching.  The lady driving saw me look and perceived that I wanted to move to the left.  She slowed down and waved for me to go in front of her. 

There are kind people all around us.