A week ago, the cherry trees around the DC Tidal Basin hadn’t blossomed.
They were getting closer, but the blossoms were still bottled up inside their buds…
But yesterday we drove into the District and ran into significant traffic on the short drive. When we finally got into DC, we realized why…
Thousands of cherry trees – DC’s most famous Springtime draw – had exploded into bloom seemingly overnight and the crowds of local and visiting tourists have turned out in droves to welcome them.
The trees went from buds to “peak bloom” over the course of just one week, and have reached that stage on the second earliest date in recorded history.
When we hit traffic on the way into DC, Emma complained a bit, wondering why all these people cared about being in DC.
But as we wandered along the overrun paths through the trees, she stared at the panoramic view of beautiful trees and said, “I sometimes forget how cool DC is!”
And she’s right – it is. From now through mid-April, the Cherry Blossom Festival events will unfold and there’s something for everyone – adults, kids, and even pets. See our blog Cherry blossom watch – DC to Japan for more details on the bloom season and festival.
Whether you’re a neurodiverse or neurotypical family, it’s worth braving the crowds – adults and kids alike seemed in awe of the once-a-year spectacular view of nature’s glory.
Next stop for cherry blossoms watching – Japan! Stay tuned.
