In all of my years of spending time in Washington, D.C. I have yet to time it right in order to see the Cherry Blossoms. Our son spent 4 years at Georgetown University, which means we were in D.C. at least 8 times in those 4 years. Never saw the blossoms.
After spending 4 years back on the west coast for graduate school, he is once again living in D.C. and we have visited several times over the past couple of years but have we managed to see the blossoms? No. Missed it by about 10 days one year – but that’s as close as we’ve gotten.
I was born in California, grew up in Nevada and returned to California within a year of graduating from high school. Stayed put for the next 30+ years living life and with not a single thought of living on the east coast, but now – now it’s on my radar. I mean how else am I going to see those damn cherry blossoms?! Seriously.
photo credit: blog.freepeople.com
Sneezing my way through the trees, would still be so worth it. So what’s the solution? It’s not like we can hop on a plane each spring in an attempt to time it right, there are millions of little wet drops – rain – that can wash away the blossoms while I’m sitting in a plane flying across the country. Okay, that’s an exaggeration, but you get my point.
So, moving to the east coast is #6 on my “Before I Die” list. That sounds a bit extreme, I know, but there’s much more to it. I’ve lived on the west coast my entire life and I think it’s about time to try a new time zone. More than anything this mama wants to live on the same coast as her son (and soon-to-be daughter-in-law); that’s the #1 priority. I can list lots of other reasons as well, but I won’t bore you with the details. Suffice it say, I’ll be ready to go when the universe presents the opportunity.
If you’ll remember, I am a lover of history and so much of our country’s history is east of me and I would love to explore the eastern seaboard by way of an extended road trip, taking the back roads through upstate New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and all the way to the tip of Maine. I’ve heard so much about the fall colors on the eastern seaboard, I’m thinking a late summer early fall road trip would be ideal – as long as we turn around and head south before winter hits the far north!
Upstate New York – photo credit: ngm.nationalgeographic.com
Instead of stopping to smell the roses, I’d like to stop and take in the views of a real life fall scene such as the one in this photo I found from National Georgraphic. I mean, is that picture stunning, or what? It looks like a page straight out of a Normam Rockwell coffee table book, doesn’t it?! Once we get to Maine, I’d like to sit out on a deck – with a bowl of steamy clam chowder – and look out onto the harbor of a small town in Maine and take in the ocean air. Okay, the part about the clam chowder is a complete lie because I’m allergic to shellfish, but I like the image in my mind and Abi would eat the chowder.
Anyway, I’m sure you get the idea of where I’m going with this. The U.S. is a huge country and while we’ve explored more than half of the states, we still have so many more to work our way through. And when you live in the pacific northwest, it’s a bit far to explore the eastern states so living on the east coast would be just so … well, convenient!
What about you? Where would you live if the universe presented you with the opportunity to try a new time zone?
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Patti, I absolutely love those gorgeous pictures! I soooo want to see the leaves in Fall on the East Coast and NE States someday. My dream has been moving to Germany for a very long time. I’ve studied WWII, and specifically the European Theater, a good part of my adult life (I’m not an expert by any means) and I want to go to all of those places where historic events occurred. I hope your dream comes true and you make it happen! 🙂
Right back at ya, Mike! Living in Germany would be an amazing experience. My husband and I very much want to return to Europe and we’d love to explore Eastern Europe – so much to learn!
We’ve talked about wanting to live in NYC but not sure how practical it is to live in the city with all the action while having a school-aged child. I’m really contemplating a visit to New England in October.
Lance | Trips By Lance recently posted…In Search of the Bronte’s Haworth: A Yorkshire Detour
That’s an interesting question – living in the big city with school-aged children. Lots to ponder – the outstanding cultural opportunities that would be right outside your door would be tempting! Museums, theater, eclectic neighborhoods, restaurants, parks, etc. New England in October sounds ideal and I’m definitely looking forward to the day when we can make the trip! Thanks for reading!
I remember it was so hard for me to move out to the west coast because there was no history there! The university I’d just graduated from was older than the state I moved to! Still, I got over it 😉
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And did you discover the historical significance of the westward movement?! Thanks so much for reading!
I do like the history and the fall and cherry blossoms (we have them in Philly too) in the northeastern US. I went to college in New England. Timing presents a problem for seeing the fall foliage—just like the cherry blossoms. However, as I’ve aged, winter has become downright unpleasant for me. For the first time, we will have the chance to spend 3 months somewhere where winter is not bleak —in Hawaii. Our sons are launched. My 88 year old mother is holding her own. Now is the time to take advantage of this opportunity. (A sabbatical for my husband).
Suzanne Fluhr (Just One Boomer) recently posted…Active, Adventurous and Able
We spent a year living just outside of Honolulu in Hawaii Kai. But living in Hawaii and enjoying an extended visit are very different experiences. An extended visit sounds absolutely lovely (and so relaxing!) Which island will you be on? Do you think 3 months is long enough to be considered as “living” there? I want to spend – live – for 3 months in Italy.