This past weekend Mark and I were in Washington DC where the weather was so gorgeous, my friend and host, Emily, packed up her two little boys and the five of us headed out to the National Arboretum. We wandered around the Capital Columns, a rather strange, but beautiful landmark that made me feel like I was in a Star Trek episode where the crew has beamed down to a bucolic classical civilization. After the boys rolled around in the grass for a bit, Emily headed back home to take them to a sleepover and Mark and I went off to explore the rest of the gardens. To get out of the sun for a bit, we ducked into the Bonsai and Penjing Collection, and we suddenly found ourselves in an incredible world of intricate miniature trees. They were amazing, I’d had no idea that this is what Bonsai really are, certainly nothing like their poor step-cousins that you can find in Chinatown or the Flower District.

I’m still in awe.

We had a great time in DC. Lots of great food, relaxing and catching up with friends.

Oh right, I also ran my half marathon.