Welcome to the April 2021 edition of the Ultimate Coffee Date. You’re in for a treat because I made it to the Tidal Basin earlier this week, and am sharing some of my favorite pictures of the beautiful cherry blossoms. No matter what you’ve been up to, Deborah and I encourage you to channel that coffee date vibe and visit other blogs in the link up.
Grab the html code for the coffee date badge here:
You also may be joining the Fit Five Friday Link-Up with Darlene, Michelle, Renée, Jenn, and Zenaida.
Cherry Blossoms Coffee Date
Can you believe my last run with a friend was to check out last year’s cherry blossoms? As soon as we got to the Tidal Basin we freaked out over all the people and veered off to a less popular route. If we were having coffee, I would tell you that when I made it to the Tidal Basin this week it was sort of nice to see other people–especially since they were wearing masks and keeping their distance.
Can you see the statue of Mr. Jefferson?
If we were having coffee, I would tell you I almost didn’t venture out to see the cherry blossoms. The Tidal Basin is a nice 5 mile loop from my office, but since I’ve been working from home I stopped paying for a monthly parking pass and would have to pay $22 to park there. While the National Park Service didn’t block off pedestrian access, they did limit parking in the area, so I had to figure out the logistics of where to park a safe, runnable distance away. It sounds silly in retrospect, but parking around D.C. stresses me out.
On a normal year, this whole area would be packed with people.
If we were having coffee, I would tell you I ended up picking a lame place to park–nearly two miles of mostly highway view away. My achilles was a bit cranky, but it was totally worth it–don’t you think?
The cherry blossoms are a tough act to follow, but if we were having coffee, I would want to update you on a few other things.
My AeroGarden is still going gangbusters, although the dill finally gave out. I’m going to plant the mint outside soon, and see how long I can keep the parsley and basil going.
If we were having coffee, I would tell you I did one puzzle in March, but it was a fun one!
What would you tell me over coffee?
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The cherry blossoms looks so pretty! I hate parking (and driving) in DC. There’s always so much traffic and I end up getting lost! Glad you were able to figure it out and make it work. Seems like it was worth it!
It surely was worth it! I will have to check the Blossom Cams to see if there are any left after today’s wind.
I love that you headed over to enjoy the cherry blossoms but I totally understand the parking stress. I loathe going to downtown Chicago for the same reason. My FIL is a collector of New Yorkers. Fun puzzle!
The New Yorker cover art is so fun. I think there are more puzzles in this series. I will have to see if I can find any.
Love your photos of the cherry blossoms! And I get how DC parking can stress you out – driving into Boston does that for me!
I’m looking forward to getting my herbs planted – I may have to start them indoors until Mother Nature shows she can play nice!
Mint is hardy, but for other plants we are generally advised to wait unil Mother’s Day — it must be the same for you?
Those photos (all of them!) are stunning!
I totally get angst over parking. This girl does not parallel park. When it comes to big city parking (heck, even small cities) I am very fond of parking garages!
Glad you could make your cherry blossom run happen. They are far too pretty to miss!
I suck at parallel parking, but there’s also issues of random parking restrictions, the risk of unexpected ticketing and towing, etc. Garages are so pricey — like the $22 at my office — and tend to have tiny parking places and randomly placed columns making them difficult to navigate.
I agree on the tiny spaces (luckily I have a small car). Luckily I also don’t need a parking garage often. I have parked on the street, but only when at least one side of the space is open, LOL (as in no car behind or in front of me).
I remember when we first become acquainted, via blogging, my first impression was all of your beautiful pics of DC. Seeing all of these cherry blossom pics (as well as other pics you’ve shared of sunrises, etc.), always brighten my day. UGH, parking (and driving, in general) is such a stressful undertaking. I totally share your opinion on that!
I miss those views too. My world got a lot smaller this year — I really have stayed close to home!
The cherry blossoms are lovely!!! Glad you made the trek down there and dealt with the parking to share them with us!
Thanks for coffee!
I chose a very easy place to park, it just wasn’t very convenient to the Tidal Basin. 😉
So happy you got to see the cherry blossoms. Still waiting here. Would you believe it snowed yesterday?
I think there were a few flurries around here too – crazy!
I am so glad that you got to run by the blossoms. It just feels happy to run there! I started an aerogarden about a month ago. I am just getting some sprouts now but the dill is crazy and grows so fast. I had not thought about moving any to outside? Nice to catch up over coffee!
That dill was hard to keep up with!
Not silly at all! I’d be super stressed out about figuring out parking in DC! I’m glad you were able to see the cherry blossoms + that your plants are mostly all doing well still!
The Aerogarden is pretty easy to manage! The lights tell you when you need to do something. 😉
Ooh! I love that puzzle. We have a fun Chicago gangster map up next. Love the New Yorker.
Thank you for sharing the beautiful cherry blossoms! I miss Cherry Blossoms – we don’t have them here.
You’ve done a lot of cool puzzles too. Do you have a group to swap with when you’re done?
Gosh, those are GORGEOUS pictures!!! Yep, I also struggle with parking downtown but now just rely on those apps to prepay for it.
I haven’t figured out the pre-pay apps that reserve you a spot somewhere — in a garage I guess? I do use the “parking meter” apps.
I use SpotHero and Park Whiz to park in a garage and ParkChicago for meter/zone parking.
I can definitely see where parking would be stressful! I have never made it to see the Cherry Blossoms. Hopefully some day!
It’s hard to time a trip from out of town. This year they peaked a few days earlier than predicted because it was so warm last weekend. They are still pretty now, but the wind the past two days blew a lot off the trees.
I’m glad you went to see the cherry blossoms. They are so pretty in DC! They always remind me of running the Cherry Blossom 10-miler. I must have done it 4 or 5 times and always loved the race.
Nice aerogarden! Every time I see yours, I want one. So cool!
Facebook is reminding me of past CUCB races this week. I think once or twice it coincided with peak bloom and was so lovely.
Your pictures are beautiful! I especially like the one where you can see the silhouettes of the runners against the water.
Yes that puzzle looks fun! How many pieces?
That was a fun photo to capture!
I mostly do 1000 piece puzzles, which that one is.
Yes, I can see Mr. Jefferson! Very, very cool, Coco!
I’m guessing USD 22.- is for a day?
In Zurich, the hourly rate is USD 8.- and for a day its USD 45.-. The fines are USD 40.-, so many people just opt for the fine. Crazy!
Yeah $22 is for a day. I think the first 2 hours are cheaper, but not by much!
I’m not a fan of parking anywhere in *any* city so I totally get it! When I had to drive to Amsterdam to renew my passport I was completely stressed with the parking situation (plus with the requirement of having to be on time or risk the appt being cancelled). And it cost me EUR 15 for 30 minutes of parking…
loving the views so much – it does make it worth it!!
love the puzzle!!
That’s pricey parking! It was a lovely morning for sure.
Just going to sit here and stare at your cherry blossom photos, thanks. They are so beautiful and I want to see them in person.
I would love to see them with you someday — I’ll even drive. 😉
You picked a beautiful day to run to see the cherry blossoms. I haven’t driven into DC in a couple of years, and yes, it always stresses me out.
Thanks for the linkup and have a great week! Happy Easter!
I’ve enjoyed seeing pictures of the DC cherry blossoms, it’s been a few years since I’ve been able to see them in person! In Philly they are starting to pop finally so everyone is flocking to see them – I’m still a little too anxious to be in huge crowds.