National Arboretum

We explored the Arboretum on Saturday; it's super close to our house.

We found lots of fun things, and it's also a great place to ride bikes (next time!).

The Old Capitol columns were relocated here.

Elijah actually took quite a few of the pictures below, and he did a great job!

So we told the kids earlier that morning that we were going to explore the Arboretum and that we might see some trails and such.  Hudson got all decked out...head lamp, stethoscope, whistle, and a bag with a grenade, a dinosaur, another whistle and an air pump.  You can never be too prepared.

If there aren't any trees to climb in the backyard, we just climb monuments instead.

We found a trail that is really amazing.  

It's a lot like Umstead, but I think I like it better; there are hand-carved benches all throughout, more streams and ponds, and all of the plants are labeled by name, which is really fun.

Elijah gave it two thumbs up.

We got a kick out of the "King Kong" plant.

Just like Umstead.