It was on our calendar. We’d take a daycation to Washington, DC to see the Cherry Blossooms at their peak. It would make two years in a row after missing them for more years than I care to remember. But, mother nature had her own game plan. The early unseasonably warm weather fooled the trees in to an early bloom and then just when the blossoms were peaking, in rolled an arctic blast and 10″ of snow fell in some of the surrounding areas. We weren’t going anywhere!
Taken on March 14 – spring? Not so much.
The freezing temps took a toll on the blossoms this year, maybe half held on to bloom in full glory but we didn’t get there. Sigh …
Here it is April
Here it is April. I’m not sure what happened to March, but as evidenced above, we were snowed in for several days so it was not easy to think springy thoughts. And, you know what they say about April showers, right? Yeah. It’s like that and we’ve got the muddy mess to prove it.
“Spring is when you feel like whistling, even with a shoe full of slush.” – Doug Larson
While we didn’t make it to Washington, DC for the annual Cherry Blossoms, in all of their glory, we went searching for our own version of spring. The funny thing is, we have been suffering from weather whiplash, so one day we were out searching for spring wearing cold weather gear, as evidenced by this photo.
Took this photo wearing cold weather gear. Note the gray gloomy cold sky!
And, then weather whiplash set in and two days later I took the same photo while wearing short sleeves and thinking maybe spring had actually sprung.
The same photo two days later. Weather whiplash. Note the warm blue sky!
So, here we are in the first week of April and we are finally putting away our winter hats, scarves, gloves and jackets (hopefully, for the last time) and embracing spring; the awakening of everything that blooms under the warmth of the sun.
Everything that blooms under the warmth of the sun.
The BIG Reveal
Lest you wonder if we’re ever going to hit the road again, you know, because this is actually in fact a travel and retirement lifestyle blog, the answer is yes. And, we’re going to do so in a BIG way; you won’t believe what we’ve got cooking. But, we’re not quite ready to break the news as we are waiting for a couple of more ducks to get in line, an important confirmation, and a signature on the proverbial dotted line and then… then I will be super excited to share the BIG plans.
So stay tuned, the big reveal is just around the corner. Until such time, I hope wherever you are you too are finding hints of spring.
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The weird weather made for some pretty cool photos! So excited about your new plans 🙂
Amy recently posted…Koh Lanta Thailand – Sunsets, dog walks and jellyfish
Thanks, Amy!
I am currently in Victoria, British Columbia where the cherry blossoms are out in full force (a little later than usual this year). It is a real treat for me – I don’t see them in my home province of Manitoba.
We’ve been to BC, Donna, and I can imagine how pretty the entire region must be as spring blossoms!
Spring is in the air here in the UK, my favourite time of the year. Patti, sounds like you and Abi are ready for some new adventures? I can’t wait to hear the big reveal
Gilda Baxter recently posted…A little dose of Dorset – with a dash of Stonehenge.
I usually sneeze my way through spring, even though it is a pretty time of year. 🙂 We are indeed gearing up!
I know the news and I’m going to tell! 🙂
Glad the weather turning around. Looking at the 1st shot – having lived in Montreal 20+ years I saw a lot of it and I hope never to see any again.
Frank (bbqboy)
Frank recently posted…Flashback to 2008…and thoughts on life changes
Ha! Ha! Now if the news leaks out I’ll know where it came from! 🙂 I actually don’t mind the snow, as long as I don’t have to go anywhere, and it is nice to have 4 distinct seasons. But like all things, too much of a good thing is too much!
What a shame you missed the DC blossoms but it looks like you found some nearer you to enjoy regardless of your seasonal attire! You had me laughing Patti, as I remembered the years we spent in Montana where April, May and even June had us layering coats over shorts or shoveling heavy, wet snow after a spring storm. It’s amazing though, how energizing a change for warmer weather can be and we too are pumped up with some lovely weather in Lagos with temps in the 70’s, a deep blue Atlantic sea and the storks paired up for their chicks. Spring has definitely sprung!
Anita @ No Particular Place To Go recently posted…Lent and Semana Santa in Antigua, Guatemala: Alfombras, Christ Floats and Processions
It was disappointing but we did get to see them last year, so we have that. It took 15 years of trying!
Bummer about the blossoms. This is a sight I’d like to see someday as well. But it’s only April, so even though I’m seeing signs of spring in the low lands of AZ I’m not packing my winter gear away because at the North Rim’s almost 9,000 feet it will still be winter when I arrive May 1, and usually snows into June. Looking forward to your Big reveal.
Gaelyn recently posted…Manzanar provides an emotionally powerful history lesson
We visited the Grand Canyon in April (years ago) and we froze! 🙂