The MAnderson Report: Who Knew..

-that there was such a place as the US National Arboretum? RIGHT in Washington DC? (And in the sketchy Northeast section of town, to boot!)

-that something as corny and curious sounding as the 'National Bonsai Museum' (at the previously discussed Arboretum) could turn out to be SO amazingly awesome!? i mean.....there is no way to describe it....you gotta see these TREES!

Patti and Michelle check out the first, of many, bonsai tree.

Amazing bonsai from the 'Fall Foliage' exhibit.

-that there were columns that USED to be on the Capital Building here in DC that were removed years ago (for an expansion) and put out on a hill in the middle of this Arboretum, next to a cool reflecting pond? And you can just SIT there and contemplate....whatever you want. Life. Navels. Inflation. You name it. You can ponder it.

Friends sitting....and pondering...

-that we had a National Herb Garden? (Yep. Part of the SAME Arboretum.)

Rachel, Michelle and Patti check out what they know about 'What Makes Peppers So Hot'. (Hint: The answer to #10 is ALL OF THE ABOVE. Don't let it stump you.)

-that a koi pond could be such a FEROCIOUS place?

Smaller fish basically have NO chance. Hmmm...like LIFE, sometimes. Weird.

I'm a NEW fan of this place, folks. And if you live in the immediate DC area and haven't been, do yourself a favor today and go. And if you're NOT in the DC area, add it to your list of places to visit when you come here. (Make it #2 on that list. #1 should already read 'Segway Tour'. I trust you that it does.)

Some of my favorite shots of the day