Blossom Explosion

Yesterday was gorgeous, so Laura and I walked down to the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C., to soak up the splendor of the cherry blossoms. I’d guess that 50,000 to 100,000 other people had the same idea. I took this photo mid-morning when the crowds were bearable. By mid-afternoon, this same spot was a near-impenetrable crush of humanity. We brunched with a Washingtonian friend of ours who had never bothered to make the trip from his Northwest D.C. townhouse — he figured he’d get around to seeing the blossoms eventually. Meanwhile, judging by the Babel of languages spoken all around us, people had come from around this world to view the spectacle.

Virginians don’t have to travel half way around the globe. They should make the pilgrimage at least once in their lives. Weather willing, I can promise that it will be worth the effort.

Blossoms as thick as leaves at the FDR memorial.

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14 responses to “Blossom Explosion”

  1. Nice Jim. We did not make it down this year, but we live close and have the trees in our neighborhood. I think it has been a good year for DC Cherry Blossoms, not too hot, not too cold, not too windy or rainy, so those things give nice blossoms that hang around.

  2. Peter Galuszka Avatar
    Peter Galuszka

    I had to go to the DC area last weekend for a memorial service. It was in Potomac and, as usual, I took 395 to the GW Parkway and then to the Beltway and over into Maryland. I have travelled on the parkway since I was in grade school and I could not believe how bad the road had gotten. It felt ads if my car would shake loose. I understand that a large section of roadway washed out recently. What’s going on. It’s usually a great drive.

    1. Falling behind in maintenance — hidden deficit spending!

      However, it also may be that potholes are always worst at the end of the winter and early spring until VDOT ramps up its pothole-filling maintenance work.

    2. djrippert Avatar
      djrippert

      Terrible engineering right next to the Potomac River. Floods routinely and has to be shut down. Needs re-grading and new drainage.

  3. LarrytheG Avatar
    LarrytheG

    Spring has started beautifully this year and we’re not even to the woodland redbuds and dogwoods yet! Went for my usual 3-mile walk this morning but on a high ridge overlooking the Rappahannock… River.

    We are so fortunate in this country to have those wonderful places to go to and enjoy.

    1. Looks like an awesome walking trail.

      1. Have you ever walked the Riverside trails on the south side of the James between the Belt Line and downtown? A neglected Richmond asset.

        1. LarrytheG Avatar
          LarrytheG

          Nice hanging walkway below the bridge over the lower end of Belle Isle

          https://bbardc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Richmond-Re-imagines-1.jpg

  4. djrippert Avatar
    djrippert

    Hopefully you guys don’t spend all your time staring at plants.

    Wah hoo Wah hoo wah!

    1. Yeah, we watched a little basketball over the weekend. Heh heh.

    2. We were in a restaurant when UVA took that last shot from the court trying for OT. Saw it didn’t go in, someone turned off the sound in disgust. We all left, sulking. Then, riding in the car, heard the celebrating. Checked the radio, then saw the YT reruns. Wow, what a difference a foul makes!

  5. It’s the Daffodil Festival in Gloucester this weekend; gorgeous weather and huge turnout.

  6. Dick Hall-Sizemore Avatar
    Dick Hall-Sizemore

    We are at Sandbridge for the week—renting a house by the ocean. Great time of year to come— mild weather and very few people. Spent the afternoon outside watching the waves and reading a history of the 1880 presidential election and Garfield’s subsequent assassination. Boy, we think politics are dirty now—we are tame compared to those times!

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