Magnolias and Cherry Blossoms on the Mall

That’s all you hear about this time of year - the cherry blossoms. When is the peak time? It is probably the busiest time of year here in the city. Spring break, school trips, visitors. And they are all here in a concentrated period of time compared to summer when there is a steady stream. Before we moved to DC twelve years ago, we were one of the many visitors rushing about the tidal basin to see the blooms. But you don’t have to go just there to see cherry blossoms. The flowers are located all over the city if you just look for them. Must often they are right in the neighborhood. Although not cherry blossoms, the magnolias at the Freer Sackler galleries by the Smithsonian Castle are lovely. But they don’t care for these bursts of freezing weather and just don’t have the vibrancy of past years - and it’s been so cloudy! But walking about the mall the blossoms are starting to show - by the sculpture garden, the National Gallery of Art, the Capitol, and at the botanical gardens. Mixed in with those now are the tulips. One of our favorite areas to visit is east Potomac Park. We haven’t gotten there yet but I’m hoping that we get a chance to take a ride there this week. There is snow in the forecast this weekend and it just doesn’t make sense this time of year. I feel like we are still in the Midwest. But the gardens keep me grounded!