Lotuses, Languages and D.C. Legacies

Reminders about the lasting value of adding beauty and charm to the world.

Author photo, taken in July 2023 at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

As goofy as it sounds, our first visit to Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens was magical.

On our way to Baltimore’s Artscape Festival in July 2011, my husband and I made a snap decision to check out Kenilworth. We figured the park might be worth a quick look while we waited for a snarl of traffic to ease.

Google Map’s rather optimistic estimate of the drive time between D.C. and Baltimore, and a map of the park.

We had seen highway signs for Kenilworth for years, but knew nothing about it. I’m glad we didn’t. We found a wonderful surprise. There were fields of lotuses in bloom. It was if we had been suddenly transported to Vietnam or Laos.

Author photo of Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens, taken in 2011.

We have returned many times to Kenilworth to see the blooming of the lotuses.

Author photo