After living FOUR years in Northern Virginia – just a 45 minute drive as the crow flies, if we could fly and not drive – I FINALLY make it to the D.C. tidal basin to see the cherry blossom trees do their thing!  Only for a few minutes did the sun come out and the sky clear on the day that my friend Len and I made it down to the tidal basin for a picnic.  But, it was worth the trip anyway!

There are different types of Cherry Trees - some look white, others pink.

  It’s hard to believe that its already been 100 years since the Mayor of Tokyo, Japan made the official gift of 3,000 of these beautiful trees to the city of Washington, D.C.     

   The first two trees from Japan were planted in a simple ceremony on March 27, 1912, by First Lady Helen Herron Taft and Viscountess Chinda, wife of the Japanese ambassador.  They were planted on the north bank of the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park. 

The original gift and annual celebration honor the lasting friendship between Japan and the United States. 

Its such a sight that the U.S. National Park Service has a “bloom cam” and goes to great effort to forecast the time the trees will be at their peak – when 70% of the blooms are open.

The celebration in D.C. is multi-faceted and stretches for days; occasionally, like this year, the celebration outlasts the bloom period.  Indeed, this year, the Parade was held long after the trees had peaked.  Oh well, having the parade synchronized with the blooming time isn’t that important.  What’s important is that Spring has Sprung and its a beautiful and romantic time to be in D.C.

If you missed it this year, make plans for next year.  Don’t be like me and let work and daily chores get in the way of witnessing one of nature’s most lovely displays!  It’s a shame it took me four years to get into the city to see it …!

 For more information about the annual Cherry Blossom Festival, visit the official site.

Cherry Blossoms in bloom in Washington, D.C. all photos copyright 2012 Deborah A.Deal