....spring in dc

Yogis,
Each city and town has its own time of year where it reaches its peak. Many New England towns boast of their fall colors. Winter sun in Florida is a respite for the soul and summer is when beach towns come alive. For the DC metropolitan area, spring is its time to shine.

It was this time of year that I came to the mid-Atlantic area on spring break for college visits. We weren’t even supposed to see Georgetown U, but on our drive back from Charlottesville my parents suggested a stop. I vividly remember driving down the GW parkway and seeing the school  for the first time across the river, framed by blooms and the green of spring.

Arriving on campus, it was one of those perfect warm spring days. Bright blue sky and the feeling of anticipation in the air. The kind of day where every college student sits out on the lawn in shorts, beers in hand (drinking age was 18) and playing frisbee with their Irish setters (when Irish Setters were in vogue…..before everyone realized how unbelievably high energy they are.) The campus was blooming and I was sold.

Every year I get that same feeling.

Let’s begin with what DC is known for. Cherry blossoms. They hit their peak this week with flowers so fluffy the trees overhead resemble pink clouds. Everyone knows the ones down by the tidal basin of course, but there are also neighborhoods lined with them that get so many cars and walkers that the county has to be involved. Even individual trees sitting in a lawn grab your attention and cause a flutter in the heart. When the breeze blows you are showered in petals.

Then there are the Virginia Bluebells which shared the stage this week. A path near me has thousands of them, turning the woods into a fairyland. Every year I take dozens of pictures trying to capture the feeling of being amongst them……but fall short every time. It is one of those things that has to be experienced. They never disappoint.

At the same time the spring wildflowers dot the forest floor with color. The dainty trout lily who bows a yellow head from her slender stem. Bloodroot, whose individual white daisy like flower brings a smile to my lips. Dutchman breeches. Mayapples. And this year the trillium have been spectacular. Her three leaves encircle a burgundy single flower on her top. To know all of these you must get low and be quick. As soon as the leaves on the trees begin to unfurl they will vanish.

Redbud tree limbs are covered now with small purple buds. The daffodils, which have also been incredible this year in their variety, color and quantity,  are still all watching from the sidelines. Is it possible to ever be cross with a daffodil?

And we still have so much to come!!

Washington azalea season is something to behold. The heady scent of lilacs that I know will arrive soon. Dogwoods. Peonies……..

It all happens so quickly that I find myself wishing I could slow time and have the chance to enjoy each one individually. To sit with them and hear their messages. But that isn’t how spring works, is it?

So, I will continue to be outside. To go for hikes, walk the woods, head to the river and even enjoy driving the neighborhood on errands with my sunroof open.

Thank you spring,
SARAH