It all started with a clip on the morning news and a post on Facebook. ASsemble in the shape of an arrowhead on the National Mall...free t-shirt and keep the umbrella...this was my kind of party! Make a world record? Yes! The part was for Thursday. On Monday when I pinched a nerve (or something) in my back, I was major bummed...I was in pain and did not know how long to feel better...yes, prayers happened. Tuesday was not very good as far as pain goes, I still managed to go to the G street fabric store with Merrill in Maryland and later out for lunch, but I was not comfortable. Wednesday was a bit better, but not much. This pain along with my numb face and vision problems still from June 27 surgery made getting around and being physically mobile a bit difficult. But, I have to do this! I got up Thursday morning with my husband who works for the USDA and we went to DC on the metro together. My back was not great, but this was doable!
After departing the Metro at L'enfant we walked to Jim's Federal building and I continued on to the Washington Monument to see where this event was set up.
The sun was shining on the Lincoln Memorial, they were having a birthday event there also, but I needed to save my back from the walking and missed the coffee moment with a Park Ranger and Lincoln. The monument was looking good. I'm sure the park rangers are very bummed about the elevator breakdown. Inside problems were invisible to us on this gorgeous sunny morning.
I found the registration tent and other eager participants and got my wristband.
As we proceeded to the mall area we noticed the Presidents gathered on the sidewalk...always fun to see them! We had two single file lines and started filing in. Humidity kicked in gear and heat began to rise...but we are all smiling!Here are some of the other tan umbrella friends above me...amazing how we felt we were friends in this together!
Others file in on the other side of me forming the arrowhead.
Some umbrellas go up for shade...conversations start all over. My neighbor was a park ranger that worked in the Washington office. She noticed my top made from African fabric and from there the conversation flowed...it was fun sharing our travels, experiences and joys. Soon we were all singing, "This Land is your Land", The Star Spangled Banner,
And as all the umbrellas were called up we went on with a glorious "Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday National Park Service!" The helicopter kept coming up and around to take more pictures and we listened for our directions...
It was fun to be part of this...truly! Afterwards, I checked out the scavenger hunt clues...I REALLY wanted to do this, but my brain and back were against the heart on this one.
I went to the store near the National Monument and purchased a water, drank for hydration and then waited to stamp my passport pages.
Then I started my walk back to L'enfant, going through the castle's gardens of course.
Once on the metro, I realized how exhausted I really was and made my eyes stay open so I would not fall asleep.
Pretty excited to wear my t-shirt!
I was part of the National Parks birthday Living Arrowhead! ♥️
This photo was from Facebook, and it was in one of the papers today...
