Cherry Blossom Festival

Today was the opening day of the 2011 National Cherry Blossom Festival, celebrating "spring in Washington, DC, the gift of the cherry blossom trees and the enduring friendship between the people of the United States and Japan." The weather didn't exactly cooperate with the "spring" part. It was quite cold, but the sun was shining and the trees were spectacular. Peak bloom is expected next week, but the blossoms were enough to dazzle my eyes even a few days early.

 Terri with spectacular cherry blossoms in front of the Washington Monument

We had been thinking of attending the opening ceremonies, but decided to walk around the Tidal Basin and just admire the blooms instead. An unexpected experience was a tour of the FDR memorial, which is located along the cherry tree walk. It was dedicated in 1997 and memorializes FDR's four terms as president and the historic events through which he guided his country. A man who was taking photographs at the memorial commented that FDR was responsible for the rise of the middle class in America--and that many of the advances he fought for were in jeopardy now.

 Terri and Blake by the Tidal Basin

 Blake, Molly, and Terri on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial

Molly snapping away--she must have taken hundreds of photos.

As we were walking toward the Washington Monument at the end of our stroll around the Tidal Basin, Shirley called to say that my cousins were sitting on the wall by the Pink Stage near the monument. We walked over to join them. It was a happy coincidence that I happened to be in DC the same weekend that Beth and Shirley and Marissa were visiting Hazel's daughter Mary and the the twins, Sean and Claire. We took advantage of the festival to meet up and had planned to eat dinner together, but ended up having coffee and snacks at a museum cafe. It gave us all a chance to visit, and the kids got to go look at dinosaur bones. By that time I was tuckered out and it was getting colder with nightfall approaching, so we said goodbye and headed home.

Beth, Mary, and Shirley at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum Cafe

I got to ride the bus and the Metro going down to the District and getting home. Parking down there is usually crowded and expensive, so better to avoid driving. I was surprised that there wasn't reasonable parking at the Metro stations near here, as there is in the Boston area.