The Cherry Blossoms are Coming! The Cherry Blossoms are Coming!

This is one of my favorite times of the year in the Washington D.C. area. It's the best time to come visit Washington. To be honest, it may even be reason enough to move here (okay, I've got my own self-interest in mind, since I sell homes in Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia).

I'm talking of course about the arrival of the beautiful Cherry Blossoms!

According to the official website of the National Cherry Blossom Festival,

"The blooming of the cherry trees around the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C. has come to symbolize the natural beauty of our nation's capital city. The famous trees, a gift from Japan in 1912, signal Washington’s rite of spring with an explosion of life and color that surrounds the Tidal Basin in a sea of pale pink and white blossoms. Thousands of city residents and visitors from across the nation and around the world come here to witness the spectacle, hoping that the trees will be at the peak of bloom for the Cherry Blossom Festival."

This year, the experts (are there really Cherry Blossom experts? I guess so) are predicting that the Cherry Blossoms will be in bloom from March 28th through April 11th, with the peak bloom between April 1st and April 4th.

If you've never been to D.C. and seen the Cherry Blossoms in full bloom, you are missing out indeed. It looks like a sea of pink cotton candy. Families, friends, lovers, tourists, and office workers alike, take time out of their hectic days to leisurely stroll along the Tidal Basin in view of the Jefferson Memorial and the Washington Monument. Having a picnic under the shade and beauty of the Cherry Blossoms is a fantastic way to while away a Spring afternoon.

Reserve early and paddle around the Tidal Basin on a paddle boat made for two. Attend the 43rd Annual Smithsonian Kite Festival on the National Mall this Saturday, March 28th. Participate in the Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run on April 5th. The day before, on Saturday the 4th, enjoy the Cherry Blossom Parade -- always a favorite.

The Cherry Blossoms are Coming! The Cherry Blossoms are Coming!

Are you?