This year the Capitol Christmas tree, aka the People's Christmas Tree came from the best state in the union - IDAHO! The tress is an Engelmann Spruce from the Payette National Forest. So blessed that while I am in DC that an Idaho tree is here! The last time a tree came from Idaho was 13 years ago. So, hopefully the next time a tree comes to DC from Idaho, I will be back in Idaho :)
On Monday, December 5, Monika and I went to the Christmas tree Reception hosted by REI. The event was at the Wunder Garten. We had a lovely evening chatting with a couple who works for the Parks Service from Vermont.
The decor was Idaho potatoes - I thought it was actually a very clever idea.
On Tuesday, December 6, we went to the U.S. Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony. A brief history of the U.S. Capitol Tree - the U.S. Capitol Tree dates back to 1964 when the Architect of the Capitol, J. George Stewart at the suggestion of the House, John W. McCormack, established the yearly tradition of decorating a tree on the West Front Lawn. Since 1970, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service has provided the tree.
Love the tree in front of the beautiful U.S. Capitol! You can not tell from this photo, but it was raining and not a light drizzle but at times a downpour. The program was short with Paul Ryan, the U.S. Speaker of the House of Representatives hosted the event including the lighting of the tree with the help of Isabella Gerard, a 5th grader from Boise who won a contest with her poem about Idaho.
Monika and I trying not to drown.
Monika and I were suppose to go to an event after the lighting, but with all the rain, we were done - so we walked to Union Station to get on the metro to head home.
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