Beginning and Ending

The Beginning of the Trip
Odenton, MD
March 28, 2026

 Trips, by definition, have beginnings and endings. Hopefully, the ending is at home. As today is a travel day, whether we end at home today or wind up with an intermediate layover is a question that can only be answered when we fall into bed somewhere tonight. We dearly desire the ending to be at home.

I tried something a bit different as part of this trip. I decided to document the leaf growth as Spring deepened. And, amazingly, I remembered to complete the task yesterday.

The Trip's Ending Image
Odenton, MD
April 6, 2026

When we arrived, the trees were little more than naked twigs pointing into the sky with bare limbs. I could see some leaf buds, but it was definitely early Spring.

Yesterday, however, actual leaves could be seen in the trees as they transitioned to become shade providers. Green is definitely evident. There are places where there are many more leaves and also places where the trees are still preparing to leaf forth! But, these two images show a progression in nine days for this one view.

I enjoy Spring more than Autumn. I know the bright colors of the trees in Autumn are exciting, but the new life of the Spring is far more enjoyable for me and especially since it brings the promise of Summer with warm temperatures and long, sun-filled days.

Don't get me started on the temperatures! Most days it has been cold during this trip. Even this morning the temperature was in the low 40s to begin the day. Ugh! Brrr! 

South Florida is going to be cool and rainy today with an expected 76 degree high! I'll take it! At 70 degrees in Jupiter this morning, it is already warmer there than it has been here for the past couple days. 

And so the travel day begins!

-- Bob Doan, Odenton, MD