At the last minute I decided to take the metro downtown yesterday afternoon and meet Walt after work so that we could see the cherry blossoms. It was kind of cloudy and overcast when we first got there, but as we started the walk around the Tidal Basin the sun came out and it was absolutely beautiful. It is so fun to see so many different people enjoying the blooms--tourists, families, people getting off work, reporters from the local stations. Everyone is in a good mood under the cherry blossoms. We walked the entire loop around the Tidal Basin and I'm glad we did because there is a certain stretch which definitely has the "money views," because that's where all the tv cameras and the professional photographers are set up.
Cherry Blossom time is a major event here in DC. We hear forecasts weeks in advance and every night on the news and in the morning paper there is a cherry blossom report. Well, it's officially cherry blossom time, with the peak bloom expected today, three weeks earlier than usual. The cherry trees as you all know were a gift from the people of Japan and 3,020 trees of different varieties were planted in 1912. Today, about 125 of the original trees survive, and most are of 2 varieties, 'Yoshino' and 'Kwansan.' Here you can see some of the oldest trees. I love the shapes and twisted textures of these old trees, and the way they lean way out over the water. In some spots you have to duck under the branches.
Jack and I will be in dc on sat sun and mon. I hope they last a few more days.
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