National Botanic Garden & National Christmas Tree

On our walk around Washington yesterday to see the Christmas trees, we called in at the National Botanic Garden, across the road from the Capitol.

 The flower beds and garden were decorated with oversized glass baubles and inside were a series of miniature replicas of famous Washington DC landmark buildings, starting with the Capitol itself.

Each was created using natural wood and was lit from inside.  Here is the wooden White House..

The Washington Monument..

Smithsonian Castle..

The Lincoln Memorial..

And of course there was another very large Christmas tree with a train set, James the red engine and more wooden miniature buildings at the bottom.

Towards the end of the afternoon we headed to the Elipse in front of the White House to see the National Christmas Tree.

It is a very tall fir tree from Alaska, covered in a net of lights.  We waited for the sun to go down and the lights to

come on..

At 4.30 the tree lit up..

Again there was a model railway around the base.  There was also a circle of 55 or so smaller trees around the big tree, one for each of the states and territories of the USA.  We sought out the Virginia tree..

The decorations were enclosed in plastic baubles which had unfortunately steamed up due to the unseasonably warm temperatures - up to 20C yesterday!

As we left a series of performances were due to begin on the stage.  Each night dance schools and junior choirs from all over the US give a series of 30 minute performances by the tree.  Last night the programme included groups from Ohio, Maryland and several from Virginia including one from Reston.

There was a stall selling this year's White House Christmas ornament - a 35 year old fundraising tradition of the White House Historical Association.  Since this year it features the National Christmas Tree, it seemed appropriate to buy one for our tree...