A Time For Cherry Blossoms

These cherry trees put on a spectacular show each spring growing around the Tidal Basin.   I’m talking about the cherry trees gifted to America from Japan.  The Japanese flowering cherry tree is known throughout the world for their beauty.  Each year a festival is held in Washington D.C.  It’s called the Cherry Blossom Festival.

Around 1912 Japan’s mayor gave the Taft administration cherry trees as gifts.  The trees were in appreciation of the growing friendship between the two countries.   Mrs. Taft and the wife of the mayor of Japan planted the first of the two cherry trees at the sight of the Tidal Basin.  Today, those two trees stand recognized by plaques.  Over the years various varieties of cherry trees have been given to the United States by Japan.

The Cherry Blossom Festival

The cherry trees are oriental trees which don’t produce fruit.  The cherry trees are closely related to that of the apricot, almond, peach, and plum tree.  Their blossoms are the national flower of Japan. The trees bloom around the spring of the year producing delicate white and pink flowers. In 1927 a group of school children re-enacted the initial planting.  It led to the celebration of the cherry blossom festival.

The cherry blossom festival takes place at the end of March and lasts for three weeks.  Numerous cultural events take place throughout the district.  Over 700,000 people visit the Washington D.C. area each year coming from all around the world to experience this breathe taking event put forth by mother nature.

When the weather is nice it’s such a wonderful experience being able to walk around the Tidal Basin enjoying the beauty of the cherry trees while basking in the warm sunshine.  Not far away you can get a glimpse of the Washington Monument since the damage to the monument back in 2011 entering the monument has been halted until the elevator service can be restored.  Visitors are currently not allowed to entering the monument due to structural problems.

You can walk from one end of the basin to the other, experiencing the rich history of Washington D.C. You can look across the tidal basin and see the massive memorial honoring Thomas Jefferson.

Many of the museums are free to the public.  It is a perfect place to vacation, three is always something to do.  You can spend days visiting all of the sites and museums.   Take a tour bus to see the sites or put your walking shoes on to tour the sites.

Washington D.C. is truly one of my favorite cities.