Ah the Smell of Adams Morgan

I wondered what that rancid odor was that I would smell walking though Adams Morgan this fall season. Mystery now solved. It turns out the be the fruit of female Ginkgo trees. They kind of look like large chestnut/grape -shaped things that fall from the trees. They don't seem to start smelling until someone steps on them and opens them up. The smell is astounding in its power. I wish it smelled like crushed rose petals, but no such luck. It actually smells more like used baby diapers.