Missed Again!

We have traveled to Washington, D.C. a good many times as our son lives there and before permanently moving to D.C., he studied there as well.  In all the years and travels I have yet to witness the splendor of the cherry blossoms, something I have always longed to see. Last week we dashed away for a few days to visit our son and the forecast for the cherry blossoms was right on schedule.  I thought I had it this time and not only did I think we'd make it, but it is also the Centennial Celebration of the Gift of the Trees!  We even bought tickets for a cherry blossom cruise on the Potomac River to enjoy the optimal viewing experience.   

Wouldn't you know it?  The warm weather caused the trees to bloom early. That might have been okay because we might still have had a chance to see the blossoms. Shortly before we traveled though, there was a significant rain storm that washed away all of the blossoms so we missed again.  I am starting to think it is not in the cards for me to see those dang blossoms.  

We did take a day trip to Monticello near Charlottesville, VA and witnessed spring in the Shenandoah Valley which was beautiful and we saw the Dogwood trees in bloom and the tulips were everywhere! All very pretty, but not quite the same as seeing all of those beautiful cherry blossoms.  On one of our afternoon rambles along the mall, we happened upon the Smithsonian Botanic Garden and we were delighted to find the annual exhibit of Orchids, Orchid Mystique, and the orchids were stunning, but again, not quite the same.  Maybe next year?!

Monticello - gardens... sorry about the date stamp!  (Forgot to turn it off)

Monticello - gardens - tulips

Monticello - Shenandoah Valley, near Charlottesville, VA

Botanic Gardens - Orchid Exhibit

Just a small sample of tulips!