Baltimore Museum of Art & DC

In September 2021, I found out that the San Francisco Museum of Art was doing a retrospective on Joan Mitchell. There was no way that I could take a trip to the west coast last year, and I felt so disappointed that I was going to miss what I knew would be an incredible exhibit. Then, some time around March 2022, I learned that this exhibit would be traveling to Baltimore, Maryland. Only five hours north from where we are in North Carolina…

Around the same time last March, my husband left a company on the west coast (he’s in IT and works remotely from home) to work for a company on the east coast. Guess where that company was based…

Yup, Baltimore, Maryland! So I waited patiently for an opportunity. That opportunity came last week. Hubby had to travel for work and I hopped along. Saying all of that, I was perfectly prepared to take a solo trip to see this exhibit. I wasn’t going to miss it again. But, it was much more enjoyable having a road trip companion. We set off on Wednesday.

Hubby went to work on Thursday, and I hit the museum. If you are ever in Baltimore, I highly recommend The BMA. It is so accessible and not overwhelming like some larger museums. They have a variety of art in their permanent collections, a cafe, a shop, and lovely sculpture garden. AND Joan Mitchell was magnificent! I need a whole other post just on her life and work. I’m still getting to know her, but she is already a kindred spirit. I will be processing and reflecting on this visit for a long while.

We were only in Maryland for one night and drove 2 hours east to Delaware that same Thursday. We went to see my folks, and an aunt who is visiting from Ecuador. Friday was a day of recuperation. Then my aunt decided she wanted to see Washington, DC so we hopped back in the car on Saturday, for another 2 hour drive. I wonder what it’s like to see these iconic monuments from a foreigners point of view…

Here’s a fun fact… Abraham Lincoln’s birthday is February 12, 1809. He shares a birthday with my youngest sister, Veronica, February 12, 1980. While reading more about Joan Mitchell, in preparation of seeing her retrospective, I found out that Joan shares a birthday with Lincoln and my sis!

Ok, getting back to DC. If you are ever in the area and have some time, stop by the city of Alexandria, Va. It’s only a 20 minute drive to the Alexandria waterfront from the Capitol. It’s a small walkable neighborhood, with lots of shops and restaurants. We stopped and had lunch at Virtue Grain & Feed and it was delicious! It’s such a dog friendly city that Charlie even had his own menu!

We made our way back to Delaware that same day, Saturday. Then, another 6 hour drive home on Sunday. Sometimes you just have to take all of the opportunities when they come. Needless to say, we are exhausted but content this week.