Friday, April 3, 2009

Amazing Surprises on the Morning Commute

Today I took the road less travelled to work. Ok not really because that doesn't exist in DC. But I did take the Beach Road (why do they call it that? There's no beach. It just makes me wish I were on one) through Rock Creek Park to work. Well, not to work. I had to go pick up Someone Special at the airport after dropping the kids at school. And I remembered that you could go from the kids' school to the airport this back way.


Thank you mr. Garmin.


For those of you not familiar with Rock Creek Park, it's the Nation's first federal park, right in the heart of the city. Which means you can commute to work, surrounded by trees and birds and deer and plants, going 25 mph on tiny 2-lane roads built long before the SUV existed. Daffodils and cherry blossoms fill the air this time of year. Even in the down pour this morning, I was taken aback by the breathtaking beauty of this enormous national park, sitting quietly between the raceway of 16th street a few block left and Connecticut avenue a few blocks right (at least for some of it.).


The commute can be confusing through the park - my trusty GPS wound me through all the twists. Of course it would have been a safe bet to follow the 378,000 other cars going the same way.


As I got closer to the city, I travelled familiar roads I ran a couple years ago in the Marine Corp. Marathon. And I smiled at those memories - looked up at the bridges overhead and remembered the throngs of people cheering and waving and giving me the energy to Keep Moving.


But what I didn't expect was to come out of the park, winding past the Pentagon and the beauty of the city as I made my way to the airport. As I drove past the enormous edifice and the endless parking lots on the other side of the street, I took a moment to Remember. And pray for our Troops and their families. And appreciate the beauty surrounding me.


It is an amazing city. Amazing to be lost in the woods just minutes from the White House. We complain about our traffic here - all the time, 24/7. But sometimes you find the road less travelled, at least by you, and you are reminded of the gifts of living here.


Tomorrow, we will enjoy spectacular temperatures just in time for the Peak Cherry Blossoms. the Captain and I are looking forward to a day celebrating Spring!

14 comments:

Paranoid said...

Ah, ywas, DC in the springtime. Every year I'd be reminded what a wonderful place it is, and how lucky I was to work there. It really is a great city. Enjoy the cherry blossoms!

Paranoid said...

Oh, and THANK YOU for the beautiful baby dress and the tutu. They're both gorgeous. I will get a proper thank you note out to you soon, I promise.

Busy Bee Suz said...

How wonderful that in the midst of all the chaos of life you can take a moment to appreciate the beauty of our country...I still have not visited D.D. I hope I still have 'time' to get there one day!!
Great post, lovley picture and I loved reading about your marathon. You are AMAZING!!!
Enjoy your weekend w/ the captain. hugs, suz

Mark said...

This is a wonderful time to be in D.C. Thanks for sharing your drive!

3 Peas in a Pod said...

That's one beautiful picture. Does it really look like that?

Loved the posts about the marathon. Love the name and it is forever. Quite an accomplishment.

Have fun with the Captain.

Much love from NJ,
Sue
xoxo

Matter Of Fact Mommy said...

i have a soccer game downtown on the mall tomorrow DURING the cherry blossom parade. WTF?!

i think i will leave it to the twenty-somethings with nothing better to do to attend the game. it will take me too long and cause undue stress upon my little ones to make it there.

and YES, they are that gorgeous. in fact, you can't do the blossoms justice in pictures - you must see them up close and personal!

congrats on Someone Special. i haven't checked in with you in forevah! ;)

Saucy said...

Blossoms? Reeeeally? I've still got snow. Yucky, mucky, dirty snow. There won't be blossoms here for at least four weeks.

Katy said...

Oh wow! I have GOT to get to D.C. someday. Actually I have to get to the whole East Coast someday - it's beautiful!!

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

That is breathtaking.

This is so funny--I was having lunch with my friend in one of our town's jewels--Balboa Park and was thinking I should take you to lunch there.

sista #2 said...

Washington is such a cool place to go.

BUT, I hate how it takes 3 hours just to drive around the beltway.dammit.

peace
#2

alisha said...

hello! i wanted to let you know that you have a great blog!! i found it through my friend jennifer at myspaceforrandom.blogspot.com and i couldn't stop reading!! : )

Putting the FUN in DysFUNctional said...

Those cherry blossoms are breathtaking!

cluburbia said...

Beatiful scene!!

Anonymous said...

Great post.