We decided to stop in Washington, DC on our way home. We had stopped here on the way to Florida at the end of February. The weather was cold, damp, rainy and snowy. I guess we wanted to see what a difference 6 weeks would make!
We arrived on Sunday and the temps were in the 70’s. Not bad. The cherry blossoms were forecast to peak just a couple of days earlier. So, we were hoping that the view would be great. We got out to do some blossom viewing on Monday and it was cold – by our standards – mid-40’s. It was also gray and rainy. It seemed that 6 weeks did not make a difference! This is not quit true. It was warmer and it wasn’t snowing. But, after Florida, the 40’s felt really cold!
And the cherry blossoms seemed to suffer from the cold, damp weather. They had passed their peak. It was still fun driving along Sligo Creek Parkway in Silver Spring, MD and then walking to the Tidal Basin to see more blossoms. After that we decided to have lunch at the Museum of America History and spend some time at Air and Space Museum.
Our final stop that day was at Arlington National Cemetery. Well worth the time and effort. To the 310,000 veterans and family members that are interred here, “Thank you for your service”. We got to watch the changing of the guard at the Unknown Soldier twice. It is just fascinating to watch. We visited the grave of Robert and John Kennedy, along with Jackie Kennedy Onasis. Arlington is just a quiet, somber place to remember that our nation has survived with the help of many, many people from all walks of life.
