Hidden Places

My lunch break 95% of the time consists of the 15-20 minutes that it takes to run somewhere to grab a sandwich that I inevitably end up eating back at my desk. Every now and then, when there is more time, I like to escape outside.

This post from DC on a Dime (see here) talk about the courtyard at the National Portrait Gallery as a great quiet spot in town that most people don't think about. I would add the Botanical Gardens to the list of quiet escapes.

During the warmer weather I like to wander through their gardens but when it is chilly outside, the warm tropical conservatory is a great remedy to S.A.D. that we all try to avoid in the dreary winter months. Even better- during the holiday season they build replicas of all of the DC landmarks out of plants...

(gorgeous photo via flickr user Alicia Griffin)