The most awaited moment of Spring around the nation’s capital:
“The blooming of the cherry trees around the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C. has come to symbolize the natural beauty of our nation’s capital city. Hundreds of thousands of city residents and visitors from across the nation and around the world come here to witness the spectacle, hoping that the trees will be at the peak of bloom for the Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington, D.C.’s rite of spring. “- NCBF
“The National Cherry Blossom Festival® is an annual two-week, city wide event featuring daily cultural performances, sporting events, arts & crafts demonstrations and other special events. The 2007 Festival will be held March 31 – April 15. The National Cherry Blossom Festival® celebrates the 95th anniversary of the gift of the cherry blossom trees and the enduring friendship between the citizens of the United States and Japan.”
My family and I have marveled at the beauty of the Cherry blossoms twice in the past five years. It’s really worth the trip down to DC. As a local tourist, the best way to get there is to drive to the nearest Metro station and hop on the train. There are several ways to get to the place but we find parking such a hassle around DC(just like in any populated city), so it’s best to put the public transport into good use. The walk to and from the stations is an exercise opportunity so it’s wise to put on good walking/running shoes. We also make it a point to go during the weekdays to avoid the weekend festival crowd. Our main objective is to enjoy being the under the canopy of wonderful pink blossoms, so timing is really crucial to achieve this. We want to be there during the peak time of the blossoms for the brilliance of the color is so spectacular. The last time we went it was towards the end of the bloom and the flowers looked faded and the petals started to fall. It was quite a romantic experience to be showered with the petals as we walked under the beautiful trees but for photography’s sake, we have to go for the most heightened color.
This bride definitely knows how to save on flowers.
It’s free to enjoy the Cherry blossoms in the crisp cool air of Spring. Of course there are souvenir items for sale but it’s our own photos and memories that we take home with us.
The pictures were taken 4/7/2004
Breathtaking! Certainly a perfect place and time for a memorable photo opportunity. Love your photos! It must be enchanting to be there personally to enjoy the beauty all around.
Thanks KK for dropping by earlier. Have a great week ahead.
Lovely, lovely,lovely. Pictures are great. And your description of falling flower petals is so romantic indeed. Would love to see the trees as well. I should check if there’s a park here in TO that has same.
Thanks for the compliments on the photos, it’s either me or my hubby who took them.
@Rach- Thanks for dropping by. I was hoping to get pictures this year but I was able to take pictures of other blossoms which I will post later.
@Leah- How about travelling to DC instead ;). Yes, check out your park services and ask if they have Cherry trees planted.
I’m sure it feels like you’re walking on a road to heaven under those cherry blossoms!!! Wish I could see and experience it too. Thanks for visiting my Children Learn… post. That would really be nice framed and given as a gift ( another money earning idea?)
Enjoy your Spring!! Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses, too.
Happy weekend…..
Princess