Tag Archives: National Cathedral

Monumental
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National Cathedral Tower Climb

Photo courtesy of mosley.brian
National Cathedral – Tower Climb – Narrow Staircase – 03-24-12
courtesy of mosley.brian

This weekend the National Cathedral reopened their central tower for the first time since the August earthquake, and Brian and I were there to climb it. Saturday’s dreary weather meant you could see clouds passing through the windows at the top; still, it’s the highest point in DC, the bells can ring in any weather, and even in the fog the views are exquisite.

First things first: This is not the tour for you if you’re claustrophobic or afraid of heights. The first half of the climb takes you up narrow winding passages, and because of people stopping in front, you might end up stranded in tight places for a bit. The last third of the climb takes you up an open spiral staircase that wobbles as you walk. In other words, don’t test your fears this way. That’s what trapeze school is for.

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The Daily Feed
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Light Within at National Cathedral Postponed

Photo courtesy of
‘National Cathedral 1’
courtesy of ‘logan.brown’

The Washington National Cathedral has just released a statement that their much anticipated event, Light Within has been postponed until 2012.   The press release cites “concerns about safety issues, parking and visitor capacity” for why the event will be delayed. 

Light Within was previously scheduled to take place on November 12 and 13 of this year, featuring Swiss lighting artist Gerry Hofstetter.

The Features, We Love Drinks
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Tea Time!

Tea Time at home
Tea time at home by Corinne Whiting

A few years back, a loveably zany Irish friend of mine lugged tea bags with her from her Drogheda cupboards to the communal hostel kitchens of Buenos Aires, Rio, La Paz and Cusco. I’ll admit that I didn’t really get it. (“If only I had brown bread right now too,” she’d sigh dreamily, nearby mate drinkers looking on curiously as she downed cup after cup of her smuggled vice.) To say that Edel is a tea enthusiast is an understatement.

I didn’t understand her tea passion…that is, until I moved east to windswept Scotland, where a steaming cuppa is sometimes the only sure way to chase the chill from one’s bones. There I also learned to appreciate the soothing and intimate ritual of gathering with friends over a shared refreshment that requires time—time to steep, to cool, to sip, to savor, to merely pause and take it all in.

Coffee culture seems the more visible beverage addiction in most US cities (DC included), while the army of tea devotees tend to fly under the radar. But I suspect they’re out there. So where can a tea lover get a fix here? The options include spots pretentious and proper, casual and cozy, and those somewhere in between.

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Featured Photo
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Featured Photo

PKR_6506 by Spodie Odie

When I first saw this photo pop up in the WLDC Flickr pool, I couldn’t quite figure out what was going on.  Did someone stage some miniature people and fake plastic trees on a putting green?  Did someone build a diorama of some tiny sunbathers, complete with tiny little beach towels?  I couldn’t figure out what I was looking at, and well, I liked it.  It’s refreshing when things aren’t immediately obvious.

It turns out that the photographer took this shot from high above in the National Cathedral’s tower, a place I’ve never ventured to (at least not with my camera).  Given the absolutely perfect weather we had on Saturday, I’m sure the view was pretty amazing from up there.  The sunbathers on the lawn had the right idea though.  Soak up the sun while you can, but please, don’t forget to repair your divots.