A Really Quick Fast Five About Cherry Blossom Season in Washington DC!

 

It's cherry blossom time in Washington DC and I took advantage of that this week and saw some beautiful things!

1.    Take a City Cruise to view the cherry blossoms.  I did this.  It's with City Cruises operated by Hornblower.  It was a lunch cruise.  The views were amazing from either inside or outside.  Most of the boat is glass, so you can get the views either way.  Lunch was a three course meal with options for the main dish.  It was delicious.  The cruise lasts 2 hours and you get to go all up and down the river.  We had a guide telling us what we were seeing and he was also a DJ and the boat had a dance floor.  A good time was had by all and we sailed along one entire section of the cherry trees.

https://www.cityexperiences.com/washington-dc/city-cruises/cherry-blossoms-cruises/

https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/springtimeadventures/

https://www.cityexperiences.com/washington-dc/city-cruises/water-taxi/washington-dc-water-taxi-cherry-blossoms/   

2.    The best way to get to the Tidal Basin and see the cherry blossoms.  I've been to Washington DC so many times I've lost count.  One thing that I do know is that if you trust your phone with Google Maps to get to that Tidal Basin where some of the most beautiful views of the trees are; you will work way too hard to get there.  Number one, no matter what mode of travel you put into Google maps, it can't shake the idea that you're driving.  Therefore, it will probably tell you to take a very long route and go to the Jefferson Memorial.  Don't do that.

The road is Independence Avenue, and it's just across that street from the Washington Monument (you can't miss that one) to the park where you can view the trees and the memorial.  You can walk the bridge as well if you like.  It's quick and easy, especially if you're not driving as I wasn't.  I don't drive unless I have to when I travel.

I promise it's quick and easy and the views are magnificent.  There are also cherry trees on the mall, especially by the Washington Monument for added viewing.

https://www.nps.gov/articles/dctidalbasin.htm   

https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/event/bloomfest-at-the-tidal-basin/   

https://cherryblossomwatch.com/monuments-tidal-basin/   

https://www.trolleytours.com/washington-dc/tidal-basin   

3.    Another way to see beautiful cherry blossoms is to take the water taxi.  Also operated in part by City Cruises and Hornblower, the water taxis have many functions.  They operate some cherry blossom cruises.  However, they are also a regular transportation option and you can go to a lot of cool places and see the cherry blossoms along the way.

I took the water taxi to Alexandria, Virginia and National Harbor, Maryland along with seeing the blossoms.  It was a great ride and reasonably priced.  You catch it at the wharf on the DC waterfront.

https://www.cityexperiences.com/washington-dc/city-cruises/water-taxi/washington-dc-water-taxi/  

https://www.wharfdc.com/getting-here/water-taxi/  

https://visitalexandria.com/things-to-do/waterfront-activities/   

https://alexandrialivingmagazine.com/lifestyle/city-cruises%E2%80%99-potomac-water-taxi-launches-from-alexandria-fr/   

4.    Visit the waterfront.  I can't say enough about this neighborhood.  It's full of marinas if you have a boat.  It's where you catch the City Cruises and the water taxis.  It's largely a pedestrian area and it's large.  It is home to beautiful views with the cherry trees right across the way and the river area to gaze at.  It's absolutely gorgeous at sunset.  There's clubs, fine dining, snacks and drinks.  It's a place to gather, eat, drink and be merry.

I got there by taking the Green Line subway to the conveniently titled Waterfront Station.  From there, it's just a couple of blocks to the waterfront.  I spent a lot of time there this trip and it was fabulous.

https://www.wharfdc.com/   

https://washington.org/dc-waterfronts   

https://www.trolleytours.com/washington-dc/waterfront-activities   

https://www.georgetowndc.com/neighborhood/georgetown-waterfront/  

https://www.wmata.com/   

5.    National Harbor, Maryland and the Capital Wheel.  This one was a bit of a surprise for me.  I love a good wheel and they have one 180 feet tall.  The area looks a bit like an overly patriotic playground for rich people, but that didn't stop me.  

I got to take the water taxi out there and it's almost an hour ride.  It was a beautiful ride along the Potomac River and the wheel was a fabulous ride too.  This whole place is built for tourists, and it isn't my normal vibe, but they had a wheel.  The restaurants were expensive and didn't look that yummy.  It was still off season, so not every place was open.  Still, it was great and I would tell anyone to take that afternoon trip.

https://www.getyourguide.com/national-harbor-l116217/cruises-boat-tours-tc48/?campaign_id=21890360134&adgroup_id=&target_id=&loc_physical_ms=9192792&match_type=&ad_id=&keyword=&ad_position=&feed_item_id=&placement=&device=c&assetgroup_id=6538663094&synthetic_keyword=national%20harbor%20md&partner_id=CD951&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21886561097&gbraid=0AAAAADmzJCN7JXGe1XN9ahRl73eSiSsuu&gclid=Cj0KCQjw1ZjOBhCmARIsADDuFTCzsbG5ULpp3wILAhPnbhVzGqvuGho1_AIUkuvZ73tZ8q-d2Y9phjEaAqWuEALw_wcB  

https://www.nationalharbor.com/  

https://washington.org/find-dc-listings/visit-national-harbor   

https://www.visitmaryland.org/listing/music-venues/national-harbor   

There you have it.  Those are some things that I learned when I was visiting DC this week.  I'll have more to say, but this is a start.  If you want to see the cherry blossoms, I'd hurry.  They're already peaking and they don't last long.  Enjoy!

New York is Always Full of Surprises, and Here's a Few of the Latest on This Week's Fast Five!

I love New York City and if you watch my YouTube Channel, you know that.  There's a few things that are a bit new and different coming, and I wanted to share.  So, here we go!

 

1.    The FIFA World Cup is bringing soccer to New York and New Jersey this year.  The area will host 8 games beginning June 13th and ending with the finals on July 19th.  There will be fan zones at the Rockefeller Center Complex and in Flushing Meadows at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.  Where are the games?  Met Life Stadium at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, NJ.

There will be a lot of activity in those six weeks.  This will be a busy time in New York and the surrounding areas.  Make note of that when planning travel to the area.  Should you plan your trip around this time?  No.  Enjoy the chaos.  New York is really spectacular with chaos.  You'll probably meet some really nice people from all over the world during those weeks as well.

https://nynjfwc26.com/   

https://www.fifa.com/en/tournaments/mens/worldcup/canadamexicousa2026/articles/new-york-new-jersey-stadium-host-world-cup-2026-final    

https://www.nyctourism.com/worldcup26/    

https://www.metlifestadium.com/events/fifa-world-cup-2026    

https://www.newyorkcityfc.com/fwc26    

2.    There will soon be four additional stops on Metro North.  The Hell Gate Line will provide stops at Hunts Point, Parkchester/Van Nest, Morris Park, and Co-op City.  All four stops are in the Bronx, and the Hell Gate Line will run from Penn Station instead of Grand Central.  

I had a lot of questions.  It should be ready sometime in 2027.  It is designed to bypass Grand Central and take customers from the East Bronx to the west side of Manhattan.  It runs along the tracks currently owned and operated by Amtrak.  It will connect to the New Haven Line at New Rochelle.  That's all I know for sure.  If you happen to live or be visiting the east Bronx, this will be a great thing for you!

https://www.nyc.gov/content/planning/pages/our-work/plans/bronx/bronx-metro-north-area    

https://www.mta.info/project/penn-station-access    

https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-hochul-announces-groundbreaking-metro-north-penn-station-access-project-bring-four    

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/4-new-metro-north-stations-coming-to-the-bronx-as-part-of-penn-station-access-project/3054435/   

https://www.facebook.com/mta/posts/hey-east-bronx-check-out-a-sneak-peek-of-your-future-mta-metro-north-railroad-st/525965702901586/    

3.    The light pollution bill currently being considered in New York.  This affects the entire state, but nowhere more than New York City.  I have mixed feelings about this one.  On one hand, I get it; light pollution is a thing.  Wouldn't it be nice if we could all see and appreciate the stars at night?  It would be nice.

However, this is New York City we're talking about.  This bill states that most venues will either have to have lights specifically aimed down at buildings or the ground or turn their lights off between 11 pm and 5 am.  It's my understanding that sports venues, constructions sites, emergency services, highways, motion detected lights, and low wattage Christmas lights will be exempt and possibly some other stuff too.  What about Times Square?  I'm not sure.

The specific reasons for the proposed law is light pollution, human sleep disruption, and intrusion into the world of birds.  Apparently, it's been determined that along the major bird migration corridor that runs through New York, things are being disrupted for the birds.  Will this pass?  Will this work out if it does?  I don't know, but plan on getting your night pictures of those beautiful bridges before 11 pm if it does.

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/a-new-proposed-law-may-force-new-yorkers-to-turn-their-outdoor-lights-off-by-11pm-nightly-031626   

https://pix11.com/news/local-news/new-york-could-go-dark-at-night-if-bill-passes-through/   

https://hudsonvalleypost.com/new-york-state-proposes-dark-skies-law-to-cut-light-pollution/   

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A4615   

https://nycbirdalliance.org/blog/next-big-steps-for-lights-out-legislation-in-new-york-city    

4.    The ABBA Hologram Tour.  This is something truly original and it's been in London since 2022.  ABBA remains popular around the world, but they quit performing live years ago.  In a landmark idea, a tour with holograms of the singers has been playing for the last few years.  I actually got to dance with a set of the holograms at the ABBA Museum in Stockholm, Sweden last year.  They are lifelike and amazing.

The proposed venue will be built on the west side between 45th and 46th streets, well within the theater district west of Hell's Kitchen.  It will seat 3,000 people per show, and will become a semi permanent to permanent location.  This show has been wildly successful and brings a whole new meaning to concert.  Will this happen?  It looks like it, but it's not official yet.  London currently houses the show and the contract details aren't carved in stone.  The plan is to sort it all out and bring the ABBA holograms to NYC in 2028.

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/news/the-abba-hologram-show-could-be-coming-to-nyc-inside-a-newly-built-venue-in-hells-kitchen-031026  

https://propmodo.com/abbas-hologram-concert-heads-to-midtown-west/   

https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/abba-voyage-eyes-nyc-transfer    

https://nypost.com/2026/03/09/real-estate/new-abba-theater-will-take-up-half-a-block-on-11th-avenue/   

https://nationaltoday.com/us/ny/new-york/news/2026/03/09/new-york-city-to-host-abba-hologram-concert-experience/   

5.    Personal information that I've recently learned about taking the Northeast Regional on Amtrak.  I took the Northeast Regional to Boston last fall and took the Acela back to Connecticut.  I compared my experiences and discovered that I actually liked the Northeast Regional better.  Now, I'm taking another trip to Washington D. C. on the Northeast Regional from Connecticut and I made a few discoveries that I thought I'd share.

Making this trip gave me several options as to where to pick up the train.  I live along the New Haven Line of Metro North, so I can literally pick this train up at any of its stops from Bridgeport to Philadelphia.  When I first looked, I thought Moynihan Hall in Manhattan would make the most sense.  But when I started looking at fares, I found out that maybe there was a better way.  I discovered that it cost less for me to catch that train to Washington from Bridgeport, CT than from New York City, even though NYC was far closer to my destination.  After looking at all of my options from Bridgeport to New York; I discovered that the same train was far cheaper from Bridgeport.  It's the exact same train, not just the same route.  Bridgeport is the farthest from my destination of all stations checked.

Needless to say, as I travel Amtrak more, I'm learning that I have a lot of work to do to get the most bang for my buck.  I've never found Amtrak particularly easy to navigate, but there always seems to be something else that makes it easier for you to get where you're going.  My advice?  Check all your alternatives if you have them when booking with Amtrak.  It can save you a lot of money.  And honestly, skip the Acela.  It's not worth the extra money.

https://www.amtrak.com/northeast-regional-train   

https://amtrakguide.com/routes/northeast-regional/   

https://railrat.net/routes/NortheastRegional/   

https://travelswithkev.com/amtrak-northeast-regional-schedule/   

https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g60745-d8457318-i298674979-Amtrak-Boston_Massachusetts.html   

That's some news I ran across for the week; all kind of centered in New York.  The more time I spend there, the more news I get about the city.  If you'd like to follow my current adventures as they unfold, check out my YouTube channel, "Adventures for Anyone with Terri Dixon" on YouTube.

https://www.youtube.com/@adventuresforanyone2025

I'll have some cool stuff about Washington D. C. Soon!  Enjoy!

Let's Look at Some Tech in China on This Week's Fast Five!

 Like it or not, China is fast outrunning the rest of us on technology in daily life.  They have things we could never imagine in today's world.  They seem to be firmly implanted in the future, and here's a few of the things both now and to come.

1.    Drone deliveries in Shanghai.  They're happening in more than just Shanghai, but this is where I heard a story about coffee and tea.  Apparently, drones are now delivering beverages and food to stands in parks, etc.  where the customers place their order.  

Long story short, you're out and about enjoying a park in Shanghai and get thirsty.  There's a stand that kind of looks like a vending machine stand.  You order something to drink on your phone through apps and QR codes; things like that.  You can monitor your order, pay remotely, and in about an average of 15 minutes; your order lands.  Saw it on a video.  I was impressed.  It's becoming far more common there and the locals seem to love it.

https://www.a2zdronedelivery.com/ground-zero-test-site    

https://english.shyp.gov.cn/ywb/latest/20250331/477370.html    

https://english.shanghai.gov.cn/en-Latest-WhatsNew/20240716/aeee3879a3384ffcac97496badc2c005.html    

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-44315984     

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/fv591_drone-delivery-tech-activity-7337752328210391040-cDh7/    

2.    Huawei.  They have a flagship location in Shanghai and other locations around the country.  This is where we meet the future.  They have cars, phones, computers, drones and on and on.  If it's tech, it's probably represented there.

Why do I mention this on a travel blog?  Because, you can go and play with stuff.  I recently saw a video of people learning about all the tech in the cars.  It was amazing.  They have cars that sense you so you don't have to open the door.  They have cars with cameras and screens all over the inside; no mirrors.  They have cars with makeshift theaters in the back seat.  Of course they have cars that drive themselves.  This is a great idea for a stop in Shanghai.  So much to check out and so good for the budget; unless you buy something, that is.

https://www.huawei.com/en/media-center/multimedia/photos/facilities/shanghai-flagship-opening    

https://consumer.huawei.com/en/community/details/topicId-114989/    

https://www.studioszphoto.com/commissions-architectural-photography-china/huawei-flagship-taikoo-li-qiantian     

https://www.archello.com/project/huawei-tkl-flagship-store    

https://www.huaweicentral.com/huawei-opens-largest-and-most-beautiful-flagship-store-in-shanghai-china/    

3.    The Spacelab Restaurant, Shanghai.  This one is a little hokey, but they have these in the cities and you have to eat.  What will you get here?  Burgers and stuff; it's not meant to be fancy.  It's a theme restaurant like our old fashioned Bubba Gump Shrimp or Hard Rock Cafe. 

However, when in Rome I say and tech is the main thing in places in China.  Go to this restaurant and check out the gravity induced robot food delivery.  You'll see a lot of activity on rails all over the venue and it looks like a really good time.  

https://www.superbrandmall.com/en/store/677e110a4ef30ee9445a3e95    

https://www.trip.com/moments/detail/shanghai-2-119183715/    

https://www.instagram.com/reels/DScsfXACPec/    

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1033557322069988    

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e9NYA6S7rxw    

4.   Wechat.  This is simply the way to do things in China.  This is a translator, a search engine, texting and communication app and more.  It's a one stop app to help you get around and do things in China.  I'm not even sure what all it does.  

We've all heard that AliPay is the way to pay.  This seems to be the most efficient way to remotely pay and so many other things.  I've never been to China, so I don't have any experience with this stuff but I've heard from people who do have experience.  So, whatever you do to make your phone work; esim, local sim, specialized service or whatever; this is what you use for an app apparently.  Give it a try.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tencent.mm&hl=en_US    

https://www.wechat.com/   

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/wechat/id414478124     

https://wise.com/us/blog/what-is-wechat    

https://www.cnbc.com/2019/02/04/what-is-wechat-china-biggest-messaging-app.html    

5.    The Beijing Robot Mall.  This isn't in Shanghai, obviously, but I had to mention it.  This is brand new and in the E-Town District.  This place is four floors of learning for humans, and if you really want to you can buy things.

They have robots, all kinds of them.  They have bionic parts, science fiction looking bots and even one that looks like Einstein.  It's all robotics.  They play soccer, they play musical instruments, they dance, and some even talk.  It's a window into the future, even though I'm not sure why I would want robots to play soccer.  It's a great tech venue if you happen to be in Beijing.  Check ahead for availability.  This place is wildly popular and you may need to reserve an entry time.

https://english.beijing.gov.cn/latest/news/202508/t20250812_4171265.html    

https://radii.co/article/beijing-e-town-robot-mall   

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgm2jed7xvyo   

https://www.nationalreview.com/photos/robot-retail/   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_dkywmqZjs   

These are the amazing things going on around the world that we don't normally hear about.  I love to watch YouTube because I learn so much about what's really happening around the world.  We've been led to believe that China is the enemy in our world.  After seeing all the technology and advances in many fields, I wonder are we just jealous?  I hope that we catch up.  I would love to see things like this in my country just to say we can make it happen.

That's just my view.  It's not for everyone.  Comments and questions are always welcome.  No, I haven't visited China...yet.  What am I up to right now?  Check out my YouTube Channel, Adventures for Anyone with Terri Dixon.

https://www.youtube.com/@adventuresforanyone2025    

Go for the gusto.  Take on a real adventure and learn so much about the world it will amaze you!  Enjoy!