Spring in DC

Things have been a little down around here lately, between discussing my unhappiness with where my life is right now, my grandfather's heart attack, my mother-in-law's chemo, and the death of my cat. So, it's time to brighten up the blog with a few pretty pictures.

Spring seems to be everyone's favorite season in D.C., though I can't say that I agree (I'm partial to fall around these parts -- beautiful weather, minimal rain, and far less humid), but that doesn't mean that I can't still enjoy the cherry blossoms in bloom. I thought for sure I would be doing a post-doc in Philly by now (ha, ha) so last year, my parents came down to visit for "one last" day of enjoying the cherry blossoms before I moved away.

Of course, I'm still here. Which means I have had three more "one last" trips down to check out the cherry blossoms in springtime.

Mark my words, if I'm STILL HERE, STILL A GRADUATE STUDENT come next year, my annual cherry blossom visit will end in drowning myself in the tidal basin.

My first visit was with some of Husband's fellow radiology coworkers, about a week before the cherry blossom prime. We walked and walked and walked and did a great tour of the "highlights" of D.C. I don't think I've ever popped by the tidal basin so early in the year; all the blossoms were still pink!

Then, I went back again on a beautiful Sunday evening with Jenny when the blossoms were just about at their perfect peak. The temperature was ideal, the sun setting was lovely, there was hardly a crowd since all the tourists from the weekend had returned home -- one of those very rare moments when I understand why everyone here loves spring so much.

A few days after that, my parents made a spontaneous trip down to D.C. for another "one last" visit. Most of my lab was off at a conference so I snuck out for an afternoon at the National Gallery and a walk around the tidal basin. There was a torrential downpour the night before, so most of the blossoms were scattered across the ground. It was also kind of an ugly day; cold, cloudy, and windy, with some rough water as far as the normally motionless tidal basin goes!

I absolutely love D.C. and the opportunities I have in my backyard... but.... I sure hope I'm not around to see the cherry blossoms bloom again next year!