We visited the US Botanic Garden’s annual “Season’s Greenings” display titled “Roadside Attractions” featuring plant-based recreations of iconic sights from across the United States, with G gauge model trains chugging around, below, through and above the displays.

This giant blue whale was hand-made by Hugh Davis as a gift to his wife Zelta, who adored blue whales. It measures 20 feet tall and 80 feet long and features a ladder leading up to a secret compartment in its head. The pond surrounding the whale quickly became popular among locals for swimming and picnicking. Davis expanded the attraction to include a reptile exhibit and trading post, but the park closed when he and his wife were no longer able to maintain it. Eventually the park fell into disrepair, but a community group raised money to restore it and maintains it to this day. The site remains a popular destination for picnicking and enjoying the massive blue whale.

Building materials: sea grape leaves, sugar pine cone scales, gourd slices, sala leaves, acorn caps, willow

Mile marker, The Black Snake in Sioux Country, 2016, posted earlier: