Tidal Basin Cherry Blossoms

It’s still a bit too early for the cherry blossoms but we decided to drive in to town anyway and try our luck. I didn’t think there would be any parking allowed where we usually go next to the tidal basin. They are setting up for the festival that is supposed to start this weekend. After we parked the car my husband preferred taking the walking route towards constitution gardens first. Then on the way back we would check out the Martin Luther King Memorial and walk along the tidal basin back to the car. The traffic and the number of visitors is starting to increase exponentially at this busiest time of year. I feel bad for people who have come from any distance because the blossoms are still not anywhere you would like them to be - although it will be soon. It seems rather early too this year. Anyway as we walked along the paths the blossoms were in various stages - from nothing to a rare full bloom. We still can’t believe that there are not guard rails next to the water as it would be easy to fall off of the edge. Every time I try to get in close for a photo I need to make sure that my footing is steady. It hardly matters what time of year we walk about this area because there is always something to see. But I absolutely prefer more quiet times and having space between me and the next person. That means we will probably only drive by this area in the next week or two since parking will be scarce and the crowds too large. Since we moved to Capitol Hill seventeen years ago we haven’t missed one year of seeing the cherry blossoms. And this year will be no exception.