azaleas at the arboretum

If you think it looks like a Thomas Kinkade painting in your neighborhood with all the flowers in bloom, you should visit the National Arboretum. The 454 varieties of azaleas are in bloom right now. Thousands of azaleas cover the wooded hillside in a blaze of color. We visited it last year at this time and we couldn't believe the colors and the intensity of all the azaleas, it was really surreal.

It was a little tricky to find the arboretum, so bring a good map and directions. But once we got there, we just strapped Mo onto our backs and hike the small trails that lead you through the azaleas. I think this year he will love just walking with us. I wouldn't recommend a stroller because as I recall the trails weren't paved.