Washington DC Travels - Blossom Season
On a complete (and stupid whim), I booked a trip to Washington DC back in January with a friend I had just met online. We both wanted to experience DC during the spring blossoms, we're both single, and we both clearly make awesome spur of the moment decisions..... But it was a great trip for the most part. (I say for the most part because I haven't talked to that "friend" since.... but we at least can call it a learning experience and one of my not so great "post divorce" decisions....oops). Despite the trip ending a little rocky, we really did have a good time. (I promise I'll post more about this great story another day - it's a good learning one.)
The blossoms really were beautiful. I kinda laughed though because we definitely are spoiled in Utah. Our state capitol building has a lot more blossom trees than I saw in DC, but it was still fun learning about where the cherry trees came from. They were gifted from Japan, and it took a lot of years to get them here. But when they finally arrived, they were all full disease. So eventually, just a few were brought over. Most of the trees around DC come from those original few trees.
One of my favorite moments while I was there was watching an older gentleman with a Vietnam War veterans hat on kneeling at the Vietnam War Memorial. It's very easy to just walk by some of these places and not experience them for what they truly represent. However, watching this man look for names of people he knew during the war was very humbling and sacred. Similarly, I think we watched two or three changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington. I cannot imagine the pain of losing a child in war. But losing a child and never having closure. My heart aches. I couldn't help but think of the mothers who lost their children to war while being at Arlington as well. It was also a very sacred feeling there.
One of my favorite experiences in DC was touring the White House. It really is amazing how small it is, especially when you compare it to leaders homes in other nations. But all the intricacies and rich history were fascinating. The paintings in each room, the old glass, the views of DC and especially of the Washington Monument. It was all beautiful. (Also, if you followed along my journey on Instagram, you can read between the lines here and know that what I REALLY liked about the White House is the literally ALL OF THE SECRET SERVICE MEMBERS ARE HOT! Plus, some of them drive the same mini-van as me.... so maybe mini-vans aren't all that bad....)
I also really loved touring Mount Vernon. You can bet that I had an AirPod in one ear the whole time I was there listening to "One Last Time" from Hamilton. Honestly, I was listening to the Hamilton soundtrack pretty much the whole time I was there. Mount Vernon really is a conflicting place. On one hand, George Washington has such an influence on the country we live in still today. But on the other, so much of his wealth was made by the work of slaves. Seeing his beautiful home and the place he enjoyed so much was a unique experience.
I really did enjoy my time in DC. I had fun with my friend while we were there, but I would definitely love to go back and enjoy it with some of my family members one day. Or even go solo. It is fun as a single woman to have a few weeks of the year to myself. And honestly, it's a lot cheaper to travel as one instead of as a couple. So hopefully I'll be going a lot more places on my own. Next up, Ohio in June! I can't wait.
** Side Note ** Can you tell which pictures were taken with my pro camera and which were taken with my iPhone?
