Mike's Christmas in DC 2005 Photos
In December 2005, I visited DC over three weekends to see all of the Christmas Decorations. On my first
trip, I went into DC with my parents and saw the
U.S. Botanic Garden and the
Capitol Christmas Tree on the
West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol building. The following weekend, I saw the
National Christmas Tree at the White House.
-- U.S. Botanic Garden -- Capitol Christmas Tree -- White House and the National Christmas Tree --
U.S. Botanic Garden
This was my first time visiting the U.S. Botanic Garden. They had a nice Christmas display complete with Christmas trees, train sets, and poinsettias surrounding models of the major Washington, DC land marks. We were a few weeks too late to see the famous "titan arum" (aka "stinky plant" blooming.
My mom by a Christmas tree in the U.S. Botanic Garden.
Model of the Washington Monument surrounded by poinsettia.
Model of the U.S. Capitol Building surrounded by poinsettia.
Model of the Lincoln Memorial surrounded by poinsettia.
Just a few of the orchids blooming in the U.S. Botanic Garden.
Two orchids blooming in the U.S. Botanic Garden.
Bird-of-Paradise flower blooming in the U.S. Botanic Garden.
Capitol Christmas Tree
We walked over the to U.S. Capitol to see the Capitol Christmas Tree. This year's tree was a 65-foot spruce from New Mexico dressed up with 10,000 lights and 3,000 ornaments. I wish we could have seen it after the sun had set.
U.S. Capitol as seen from the Mall.
U.S. Capitol and the Capitol Christmas Tree
My parents pose in front of the Capitol Christmas Tree
A closer view of the ornaments decorating the Capitol Christmas Tree. They were made by children from New Mexico.
White House and the National Christmas Tree
On Christmas Eve, I made a second trip into DC to see the National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse in front of the White House. The National Christmas Tree was surrounded by several large-scale model trains running around it and smaller trees representing the states, territories and DC. There was also a menorah, burning Yule log, and Nativity scene.
People Ice skating on Christmas Eve at the Pershing Park Ice Rink. I saw a news crew from the Weather Channel taking pictures there.
The White House
National Christmas Tree on the Ellipse
National Christmas Tree with the White House in the background
Small Christmas Tree representing DC.
One of the large-scale train sets at the base of the National Christmas Tree.
Nativity Scene
The Washington Monument in the background behind the National Christmas Tree.
The back side of the White House.