The Observation Tower at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is made of brown sandstone from nearby Lampasas, and its architectural style is representative of watch towers of Spanish missions.

*****

We visited the “Season’s Greenings: America’s Gardens!” exhibit at the United States Botanic Garden, featuring plant-based recreations of conservatories, fountains and sculptures from around the country, with model trains running around and above the displays. It's become an annual event for us, and we always enjoy the holiday creations as well as the traditional DC landmarks display (most of which I didn't photograph again this year) as well as the 3,000-plus varieties of pointsettias gracing the various halls.

Best to view in "Original" because other versions resized by Pbase are decidedly unsharp.

Kiss and make up for the new year, posted earlier: