Tim Eagle here, yes, I'm still a horrible writer with some shitty fiction available to purchase wherever books are sold. I sniffed something out, something which smelled of death warmed over, and this something was as alive as you and I.
With my phone and camera in hand I ventured into the D.C. area. I drove to the United States Botanic Garden, but made rookie mistakes. I drove from Cherry Hill to the beautiful sprawl of the Nations Capitol, so brace yourself, because before I tell you what I explored, I'm going to rattle off a couple of mistakes.
Mistake number one, I drove. I had to find parking. The time was early enough to land a supreme spot, approximately .9 miles from the garden. Not bad, but I had to dole out $25 for parking lot fees. To break it down, there's a bus in the front of Cherry Hill Park Campground that drives you to a nearby metro station, the Green Line, which will take anyone to the National Mall area.
Mistake number two, I walked without water, without a backpack, cooler to hold said water, and dressed in all black on a ninety degree day. I know, first world problems, I'm a dick for complaining. I lived and learned, sucked in a bunch of hot air, and walked to the United States Botanic Garden sweatier than ever, where I got to observe something yucky, and awe inspiring.
I entered into the building, which was temperature controlled to give rare plants a chance to breath and thrive. There was a throng of others waiting as the doors opened at eleven o'clock and I followed the masses. People were racing to the tall flowering plant known as, drum roll please, The Corpse Flower. This potent flower smells like death, and only blooms for two to three days. I happened to get a glimpse almost a day too late, but still got to view it in the rain forest type setting. The flower only blooms once every two to three years, so I was lucky that this year was the year I was in the DMV area.
The sea of people were slightly annoying, (that's why Maria and I do most of our sight seeing during the early spring, and late fall) and the stench of the giant alien looking flower was masked probably by human's with natural odor gaping at the enormity. I was enamored by how surreal it was. Looming tall, the plant literally larger than life. To be able and witness the purplish bloom was amazing. The plant's spadix, a cone like stalk, rose into the air above the bloom. Knowing the care taken to preserve this almost extinct plant was inspiring, only about a thousand of them exist in the wild and there are two of them in the D.C. area, and to see one in bloom was mind blowing. I have attached a picture at the bottom, and I also have videos coming soon and posted on Dark Nest Travels YouTube, and on my socials (videos coming soonish).
This was a fitting adventure for me, because I write shitty horror and seeing something floral and something that smells like death is a great combo. Despite, being sweaty, learning that it would be easier to go to D.C. using transit, and have a supply of hydration on hand, I still enjoyed the day at the garden. The plant life, greenery, and some of the surrounding area was literally a breath of fresh air, especially in the United States Botanic Garden (which is free to visit). I'm visiting again, my national park and monument book in hand, to collect stamps at the other attractions. I will be here until October, so I have a lot of time. I'll be sure to give a break down on the next adventure, so be sure to visit this old blog often. Next week I list full time RV life expenses, so if you're still considering the RV life, come back, subscribe to my newsletter to never miss an adventure, and stay tuned. Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks for reading.
Tim Eagle
Tim Eagle is an author of the novellas Stolen Seed, Life Ship, and the Vasectomus Collection. He lives full time, on the road, with his wife, Maria and their dog, Cocoa. He grew up in Michigan and is inspired by the dysfunction of America. His books are available on Amazon, godless and this site timeaglefiction.com Thanks for reading!
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