Spring arrives in Washington DC in the celebration of the Cherry blossom festival ! and what a beautiful way to open tourist season and welcome warm temperatures after a snowy winter.
My daughter and I rode the metro into the city and arrived on the National Mall, with thousands of folks from all over the USA and overseas.
Venders selling trinkets and food... folks playing frisbee or tossing a football ...babies crying in their strollers ...crowds trying to figure out which way to go... and cameras snapping photos in every direction...
Yep...this was a fun sight to see.... there are many ways to see the sights, walk, bus, bike, and of course the ever popular sedway!!
Everywhere you look, folks are enjoying just Being Here! bring your blanket and picnic basket and stay for the day. The fragrance of the cherry blossoms was ever present and oh so delightful.
From the metro exit, we walked passed the Washington monument, across the National Mall, crossing several streets and finally arrived with the crowd at the Tidal Basin... the whold place was cherry blossoms.
...the Jefferson memorial.
Take a moment, and enjoy the view....
When the breeze blew...we found ourselves walking in a snow of cherry blossoms...lovely.
The crowd was so thick and moved S-l-o-w-l-y because everyone was snapping photos and searching for that perfect group shot... AND all the while, you had to keep alert because the branches of the trees are low and one must duck under the branches here and there. (how thoughtful to add a sense of adventure and obstacle course to the day ha!)
Here is how the scene appeared all day long..... every inch filled with folks from all over, enjoying the experience.
Don't I look lovely with cherry blossoms ?????
Once we had walked around the ENTIRE Tidal basin and snapped a zillion photos...and let me rest my poor feet by sitting on a park bench or two ... we made our way back out onto the National Mall. We saw the WWII memorial, looked down the long refection pool to our next destination... The Lincoln Memorial.
Here I am at the top of the steps looking out at the Reflection Pool, the Washington Monument and the Capitol building . What an incredible sight ! We walked down these steps and over to the Viet Nam War memorial. After a day filled with constant noise of happy voices, the Viet Nam Memorial was a quiet, reflective walk. We then strolled a few blocks passed quaint old row houses and the George Washington University campus where students were out enjoying spring break and a sunny afternoon, caught the metro and headed home. My feet were tired, but my smile was still on my face. I am proud to be an American. Happy Easter, Happy Spring!
