Another Fun Day in Washington DC

Today we went to the U.S. Botanic Garden to see their holiday display of scale model historic buildings on the National Mall and Capital Hill.  The models are created with dried plant materials. The U.S. Capital shown here is composed of the following:  Dome - sycamore leaves, willow, seagrass twine, wheat, winged euonymus, fern leaves, kangaroo pods, screw pods, acorns, acorn tops;  Statue of Freedom and other figures - shelf fungus, corn husks, reeds, beechnut seeds, acorns, acorn caps, pine cone scales, grapevine tendrils, chestnut bark, beechnuts;  Facade - horse-chestnuts, elm bark, pine cone scales;  Columns - willow branches, with tops (capitals) of dusty miller;  Steps - horse-chestnut bark;  Windows - pear pods, cinnamon sticks, pine cone scales, wheat;  Lamps - eucalyptus seedpods;  Railings - winged euonymus;  Architectural details - acorn caps, wheat, bamboo, raffia, basket cane.  It took over 600 hours to create the U.S. Capital. 

U.S. Capital with Christmas tree to be lit up tonight.

The Garden Court contained all the model U.S. building - a total of 11 amazing models.  The East Gallery contained 13 buildings and monuments from around the world all interconnected with numerous railroads.  Peter and Eliza had the most fun in this room watching all the trains.

Hagia Sophia, Istanbul, Turkey