Monday, April 4, 2011

Cherry Blossom Festival

I've always heard about the beautiful cherry blossoms inWashington D.C. in the spring, but I've never actually seen them.  So, yesterday we took a little family day trip to go see the cherry blossoms.  They were absolutely gorgeous!  Do you know the history of all of those cherry trees?  In 1912, Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo gave a gift of 3,000 cherry trees to the city of Washington D.C.  First Lady Helen Taft and the wife of the Japanese ambassador together planted the first two trees on the North Bank of the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park in March of 1912.  Today, there are thousands of these beautiful trees blooming around the city.  Most of them are along the banks of the Tidal Basin.  Each year in Washington D.C., there is a two week festival commemorating the gift of these trees and the friendship between the United States and Japan.  You can find more info about the National Cherry Blossom Festival here. 

We enjoyed walking along the Tidal Basin and looking at all of the blossoming trees. 



We thought about trying to rent a paddle boat, but, although it looked like a lot of fun, we didn't want to spend our day standing in line for the boats, so after we finished taking in the beautiful blossoms, we spent the rest of the day exploring the Air & Space Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the American History Museum.  Fun day!

7 comments:

  1. I love DC. I've heard the blossoms are amazing to see in person but I suffer with hayfever and blossom is one of my worst triggers so instead I get to enjoy the blossom through photos like yours, looks like it was a beautiful day.

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  2. I love the Cherry Blossom festival! I went with my husband a few years ago and had a great time. Sounds like you did too.

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  3. Looks like a gorgeous day with the family and the cherry blossoms are wonderful to behold, aren't they? I have seen them in DC:)

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  4. I lived in DC area for a time, the cherry blossoms were always one of my favorite sights...so lovely a natural oasis in the midst of all that city. Great photos!
    Elle
    www.artofaletter.blogspot.com

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  5. I've always wanted to go to that. It looks amazing.

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  6. I've wanted to go there too, since living on the East Coast for the past 4 years. Just yesterday I was thinking that I wanted to see pictures of what DC looks like with all those trees in bloom. Thank you!! (Found you from the EBT.)

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  7. Thanks for the lovey comments, ladies! The blossoms are truly fabulous, and I feel blessed to have been able to see them.

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