Carousel on the Mall

Carousel on the National Mall

Smithsonian

Jefferson Dr SW at 12th St SW, Washington, D.C.

Chinatown in Washington, D.C.

Last November my aunt, Emily, invited me to join her and my uncle, Alex, and cousin, Emmy, in Washington, D.C. I had the most wonderful time!

Part of the fun was exploring the city. On our first day we took a stroll through historic Chinatown.

I'd like to share a few photos of the visual delights we encountered...

The Friendship Arch

H St NW at 7th St NW, Washington, D.C.

Closer view of the gate

According to Wikipedia, the Chinatown gate, named "the Friendship Arch," was designed by Alfred H. Liu, originally from Taiwan. The gate was erected to celebrate friendship between Washington and Beiijing and was dedicated in 1986. It includes 7 roofs up to 60 feet high, 7000 tiles, and 272 painted dragons in the style of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It may be the largest such single-span archway in the world.

There are many charming and unexpected Chinese accents hidden in plain sight throughout the neighborhood.

Low relief panel of 2 dragons holding an orb above what seems to be 

2 modern nozzles... along with a random plastic grocery bag...

A red gate with a jubilantly sinuous design partially blocks the view of an alley

One particularly delightful treat was watching a chef create noodles - right in the front window of the Chinatown Express restaurant! 

Front window of the Chinatown Express restaurant

 6th St NW at H St NW

Noodle samples and the noodle chef

The noodle chef works his magic for passersby

Emmy, Aunt Emily and Uncle Alex prepare to test the noodles

The noodles were delicious! Actually... everything we ordered was superb!

Lunch with loved ones - "priceless!"

Crabapple Castle

The castle in Crabapple

Arnold Mill at Cagle Rd, Crabapple

Front of castle

Closer view showing swimming pool moat ladders

Closer view of two turrets

East gate

West gate

View showing pool

The Big Chicken

If you visit the area, you will hear about our local celebrity, the Big Chicken. Though the Big Chicken is not a person, it does have personality and a certain "standing" in the community.  The Big Chicken has friends and admirers. It has inspired poems, plays and Halloween costumes.

Hwy 41 at Route 3

Locals use the Big Chicken to give driving directions. For instance, if you're coming from Marietta, a great BBQ restaurant, Williamson Bros. B-B-Q is just past the Big Chicken on the left. You can't miss it!  If BBQ is not for you, you might try the Cuban Diner, also just past the Big Chicken (and Williamson Bros. B-B-Q) on the right. On the other hand, you can't beat the Marietta Diner for good eats. Turn right at the Big Chicken and travel about 1/4 mile. It's on the right. Mr. George and Mrs. Marie will take good care of you. Check out their tasty cakes that are almost as big as the Big Chicken... well, almost!

   Route 3 (Roswell Rd) at Hwy 41(Cobb Pkwy)

When I was a kid, the Big Chicken had some big friends. After a long trip, I knew we were nearing home when we passed the Big Lady, the Big Rocking Chair, and then the Big Chicken. The Big Lady was a fiberglass cutie in a fiberglass bikini. She pointed the way demurely to the fun at Lake Allatoona. The Big Rocking Chair advertised Brumby Rockers, which are famous because President Kennedy had one in the Oval Office. The Big Chicken is, naturally, a restaurant that specializes in chicken dinners. The Big Lady is long gone and the Big Rocker disappeared in the 1990's. But the Big Chicken stands tall, "holding down the road" for posterity.