Now that it officially feels like summer, that work-from-home is feeling has downgraded from hair-on-fire frantic to insanely busy (improvement!), and Zoom school for kids is almost over (praise the LORD), it really is time to start thinking about giving your brain and soul a rest. Most of us in the D.C. sector are extremely blessed to be employed during this challenging time. So I say, and to quote this article, "If you are lucky enough to have a job and the leeway to take vacation, do it!"
There are proven health benefits of vacations in normal times, so please consider what this much-needed break will do for you. A “staycation” is also much more budget friendly, so splurge on Rose’s Luxury home delivery and check out these DMV spots for some much needed solitude away from your screens. Are you an Angler? Maryland has a few free fishing days coming up on June 13 and July 4.
Some articles we read this week:
Haley: If you attended a protest this past week/weekend please consider getting tested!
We must do more than a hashtag: Performative Allyship Is Deadly (Here’s What to Do Instead).
Madison: A good overview of what “defunding the police” really means from the Washington Post.
Rebecca: “It’s So Surreal Thinking About How All This Started on Lake Street."
Isaac: Why Minneapolis was the breaking point. (The Atlantic)
Jaime’s Perfect Day in DC:
As a household with now 2 little ones, our days start pretty early! My first activity would be to let my 3 ½ year-old, Sonny, tag along on my trip to a great little coffee shop my husband discovered. Büna Coffeehouse sits on an unassuming corner of Georgia Avenue and offers much more than coffee! I let Sonny choose from their yummy baked good selection and get a coffee for myself (and maybe a lox bagel if my willpower is waning).
We’ll then rejoin my husband and baby Ellis at home to prep for a family hike in Rock Creek Park. We like to take the Valley Trail off Beach Drive, just north of where it intersects with Military Road. It’s an easy walk but still has some small bridges and little climbs to make you feel like you got some exercise! After that we hit one of our favorite neighborhood spots for lunch, Taqueria del Barrio. Yummy tacos, festive atmosphere and unlimited chips and salsa – what more do you need? Then, because this is after all my perfect day and not an actual day, we walk just a couple storefronts down the block to Lulabelle’s Sweet Shop for some truly delicious ice cream. They also sell adorably packaged candy and little toys and things. While the boys hang with their cones or just outside, I wander to Willow to check out their current selection of clothes and jewelry. Honestly if you have not visited the 800 block of Upshur St. NW, you’re seriously missing out! (Timber Pizza Company ring any bells? That’s here too!)
After quite the filling lunch, Sonny will need a nap so I use this opportunity for some me time and head to my go-to nail place. While I sometimes wish it would take longer, a mani/pedi gives me about an hour to myself and I try to stay off my phone to really relax.
Back home we fire up the little splash pad for Sonny in the backyard, while my husband and I sip on homemade Moscow mules and marvel at Ellis’ fascination with his big brother. Everyone then freshens up before we meet up with some good friends at our favorite local family-friendly dinner spot, Moreland’s Tavern (as aforementioned in my MAA interview!). Super relaxed atmosphere, lots of outdoor seating and excellent wings make for the perfect evening! And since like I said, the day starts early, it also ends early so we make our way home for bedtime routines and some quiet no-kid TV time. A tame but lovely day in DC!
