Washington's Cherry Blossoms

Washington is famous for its cherry trees which line the Tidal Basin and bloom every spring, attracting visitors from near and far. Cherry blossom time holds special meaning for me, as it always beautifully reminds me of my move to Washington, which happened in the spring seventeen years ago in the week that the trees were showing off their radiance. 

Although it was not yet peak bloom, last week a friend and I walked down to the Tidal Basin one evening after work. The scene was lovely -- and crowded.

We began our walk in Foggy Bottom, making our way down 23rd Street to the Lincoln Memorial, where President Lincoln always sits keeping a watchful eye on the tourists and the Washington Monument.

We continued by walking past the Korean War Memorial, then crossing the street near the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and almost the entire way around the Tidal Basin. It was a gorgeous evening.

The iconic view on Wednesday.

And that same view on Friday, as photographed by my friend Inta Skinkis.

The local NBC station's meterologist, Doug Kammerer, was doing the weather forecast live from the Tidal Basin.

Cherry blossoms and people everywhere...

After our stroll around the Tidal Basin, we began walking toward a Metro stop, but decided to pause at the foot of the Washington Monument. The view and the evening were so lovely that we stayed to watch the sun set behind the Lincoln Memorial. I love spring in Washington!