Cherry blossoms in Washington, DC. We have been waiting for this. The cherry blossoms are popping now. They said they were starting to bloom. I say they were pretty incredible, despite the unusually cold day today. While you can find some trees in full bloom already, most of them are not quite there yet. Behold! An almost hidden treasure.

The blooming of the cherry tree season is truly a highly visible sign of spring, the beauty of nature, renewal of life, and first love...but it can also represent the transiency and fragility of beauty, life, and love.

My views mingle with my thoughts of you
The buds hang, suspended low
Hanging around, just waiting
To watch you blossom

The fourteenth street bridge is part of the pathway that completes the circle around the Tidal Basin. The branch, laden with beautiful blossoms, almost adorns the bridge, except for the fact that the trees are to the side of the bridge.

It's so close, this layering of the petals. The beauty colors your vision while the aroma is elegant and sweet. "One time, one meeting" and then they will be gone, raining cherry blossoms, all over you.

The Tidal Basin down in Washington, DC is near the National Mall and is a focal point of the National Cherry Blossom Festival each spring. As far as the trees themselves, in the entire Washington, DC area, many trees are Yoshino Cherry. Other species include Kwanzan Cherry, Akebono Cherry, Takesimensis Cherry, Usuzumi Cherry, Weeping Japanese Cherry, Sargent Cherry, Autumn Flowering Cherry, Fugenzo Cherry, Afterglow Cherry, Shirofugen Cherry, and Okame Cherry. All are ornamental, which means they do not bear fruit.

"When First Lady Taft and the Viscountess Chinda planted those cherry trees, they were only a small part of a gift of friendship to the People of the United States from the People of Japan, 3,000 trees by the Japanese government. The trees were planted along the Potomac Tidal Basin near the Jefferson Memorial, in East Potomac Park, and on the White House grounds. In Japan, the flowering cherry tree, or "Sakura," is an important flowering plant. The beauty of the cherry blossom is a symbol with rich meaning in Japanese culture. For more than a hundred years, we have to celebrate cherry trees blooming in solidarity."

Currently, the National Park Service is discouraging visits to the Tidal Basin in person due to COVID-19 mitigation efforts. They haven't yet clarified their plans but have suggested they are likely to limit access or even close off the area completely.

The delicate flowers form a chain of beauty around the Tidal Basin, anchored by the Jefferson Memorial. The pathways and the lighting enhances the entire setting of the memorial.

You can easily miss this little monument if you are not paying close attention. It does get the most attention and photo opportunities during the National Cherry Blossom Festival where over a million people are drawn to the Tidal Basin each year. It was given by a mayor from Japan in 1958 and has remained in place since that time. This is the location where they kick off the official opening ceremony of the Cherry Blossom Festival year

A unique illusion of pink snow is created when the cherry tree sheds its myriad of petals. The falling of cherry blossoms was used to represent the Japanese Samurai spirit. It was raining blossoms or more like a light drizzle of them. Oh, look... a Cherry tunnel.

Here is a map to guide you where in the Washington, DC area the Tidal Basin is.

source

As you can see, you can walk around the entire perimeter of the Tidal Basin. It is 2.1 easy miles, the easy means there are no challenging hills or areas. It passes the Jefferson Memorial which I use as a starting point or walking down from the Washington Monument. Anywhere you start matters not, it circles back to the to wherever you start.

I freely admit that I think the Washington, DC area is at its prettiest while the cherry blossoms are in bloom. They lavishly show their beautiful selves and spread a cloak of delicate awes across the District.

Some of my loveliest memories surround the blooming of flowers, making me feel like I was touched by an angel. Heavenly. These are the cherry blossoms at my house. When I moved to the Washington, DC area, I wanted to have a cherry tree too, a reminder of how close the bloom time was and to be part of the celebration of spring. There is nothing quite as beautiful as the dance of the cherry blossoms.

When the blossoms peak, they have what they call hanami. Hanami literally means “watching blossoms," and it is such a lovely custom. We take a blanket and perhaps a lunch or snack, most times with family and friends, enjoy the release of blossoms. Sleeping under the trees as the Spring breeze blows, wearing cherry blossom petals for a light blanket. These moments are precious and carry you through to the next blooming.

The Naming of Cats

The Naming of Cats is a difficult matter,
It isn’t just one of your holiday games;
You may think at first I’m as mad as a hatter
When I tell you, a cat must have THREE DIFFERENT NAMES.

TS Elliot