Deserted downtown streets in DC During Lockdown 2020

Near the Archives

 For several months, during the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2020, the streets around the federal area in downtown Washington, D.C. were deserted.  But for the occasional bus or delivery vehicle there was no traffic at all.  In fact, many times I crossed the street anywhere, almost without looking, as there were no vehicles coming by at all.  I'd go on a walk about and the city areas of Penn Quarter and Federal Triangle were bereft of people and cars.  

11th and E Sts NW intersection

Usually it's very busy and you have to be very careful to follow the street crossing signs or you could get run over by a bike or car or van or bus. But not for the several months of the lock down. 

Shops and cafes and just about every office was closed and most had signs in the windows or doors about being closed indefinitely.  It was a very strange situation.  On the one hand, there was a certain enjoyment to the quietness of the city, but on the other hand, there was a certain uselessness in the air, as if these buildings and roadways were all for nothing.

Pennsylvania Ave NW

  If you did see a person, it was a security guard, with a mask on, or an occasional other person going on a walk.  Everyone was giving each other a suspicious look and wide berth.

 It was as quiet as an early Sunday morning downtown everywhere!

View on PA ave to Congress

Temple Enshrining Sacred Documents in Washington DC

U.S. Archives Building

I was trapped in traffic due to the road repair near the White House so, during an impatient pause, I glanced out of the window and lo and behold saw the nation's temple that contains the U.S. Constitution. It's quite  marvelous, isn't it, to be stuck in traffic in downtown Washington DC and yet to find oneself for a few quick minutes looking at a classical style building in which you know sits a copy on display of the veritable U.S. Constitution. Makes you think of your Civics and Government Studies class if you were blessed enough to have partaken of one. So which one is your favorite provision or Amendment? I'm rather partial to Amendment IX (i.e., The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people). This always gives me food for thought on what rights are being infringed upon.   Even though it was a busy Saturday afternoon, there were very few tourists at this time of year so I had a clear view of the Corinthian columns and exhibition pennants. I noticed some sort of '50s retrospective exhibit seemed to be the subject, but then, the light changed, traffic cleared and off I went.  And got a shot of the north side of this Archives Building too, during slow traffic on 7th street. Amazing!

North side of Archives Building

Regal Cinema Lucky Strike

We went out on a date downtown recently and didn't have time for dinner out before the movie. We went to Gallery Place where there are lots of stores, restaurants and a movie theater that has first run shows.There's even a Lucky Strike bowling alley right next to the Regal Cinemas in case we get a yen to knock down pins one night. But this time, we quickly got some badly cooked savory crepes (cold and the mushrooms were a little off!) at a stand in the alley where the guy cooks them right in front of you, and then we went to the movies where we saw the follow up movie to "Wall Street" starring Michael Douglas.  This was "Money Never Sleeps" which somehow never seemed to be as exciting as it should have been.  But we had a good time anyway as there's nothing like going out on a date when you're married and hanging out doing things together even if the food and the movie are not perfect.

Fence with a Crossed Heart

Riding on that same ole Route 80 bus downtown, there's a fence beside a church on H street with an adorable design welded into it. I think it's made of bronze and by an artist but I've never really stopped and bent down and looked to see if it is signed. It's got a little heart, some oak leaves, and a cross shape within a large circle. I like it a whole lot as it is a surprise when you walk by the fence and suddenly come upon it. One wonders who put it there and why and when and how many people actually notice it.