Venturing into Washington, D.C. on this Memorial Day weekend revealed a city full of memorial observation underway in numerous ways, from bikers to skaters, and, then, more and more bikers. Stationed in the middle of the intersection at 23rd Street and Constitution Avenue, facing towards the Lincoln Memorial, was a police officer keeping an eye out for pedestrians who regularly would step–past the bride and groom standing on the median strip!–into the path of the endless river of motorcycles. The heat, noise, exhaust fumes, and crowds were overwhelming after only 20 minutes, so it was impossible not to feel sorry for this officer who stood there amidst it all without a speck of shade.
Illustration: Watercolor and pen-and-ink sketch by Black Elephant Blog author
For those of us not on duty, however, it was still possible to enjoy some cool breezes dining al fresco at a nearby restaurant opposite this entrance to the George Washington University Park.
Illustration: Watercolor and Platinum Carbon pen-and-ink sketch, “George Washington University,” by Black Elephant Blog author
Black Elephant Blog 