Showing posts with label Cherry Blossom festival. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cherry Blossom festival. Show all posts

4/15/13

Place to Go - Hains Point Cherry Blossoms (Washington DC)

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Even though we've lived in the DC area for almost ten years, every spring the cherry blossoms still seem fascinating and new, almost surreal - especially during peak bloom. As any local will tell you, this year's "peak season" became a long delayed experience. Finally, approximately two weeks after the original bloom time estimates, spring engulfed the region.

Usually, we try to see the blossoms on the tidal basin, but parking is always hit or miss. And crowds are everywhere. After realizing that the parking gods were frowning on us, I decided to circle Hains Point before we headed for home. Wow. As we drove closer to the peninsula's end, parking spots started opening up. So we lingered by the water - T practiced his ninja skills (I use the word "skills" loosely) while P climbed gigantic old trees and F "modeled" for me. Eventually we made our way to the playground, where all three kids met new friends and played as dusk started to fall on the city. A cheesily perfect night. And sometimes you need those.

sisters

They don't always get along, but I cherish the moments when they do.

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All you need is a gentle gentle breeze and - BRAVO - flower rain.

cartwheels

Ninjas and cartwheels, this is how we roll lately.

p

I always wind up with more pictures of P's feet than her face. She just moves a lot.

playground

Even as an adult, there's something fantastic about a playground at dusk.

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At the very end of the night, as we walked back to the car, a huge breeze hit and petals flew everywhere. Wonderfulness.



3/30/11

Places to Go - The Cherry Blossom Festival (Washington D.C)

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discover

On Sunday afternoon, we drove the whole family to the Tidal Basin for the Cherry Blossom Festival. The early morning snow must have discouraged visitors because crowds were (oddly) lacking, despite the late-day sunshine and warm(ish) temps (low-50s). We even found parking in the B lot of the Jefferson Memorial and extra spots were available (usually during Cherry Blossom season I end up finding a spot towards the end of Hains Point and taking the free shuttle to the blossoms). Unfortunately, a super-fussy T made the short walk to the Jefferson Memorial trying at best (why when a baby screams in public do strangers feel the need to stare at you with evil eyes of disapproval? As if the unhappiness of your child wasn't enough punishment in itself). Luckily, across the street from the Jefferson Memorial parking lots the trees were in full bloom. So we sat and the kids ran. And we spent a beautiful afternoon this way. If you can make it, I highly suggest paying the blossoms a visit. And don't worry, we didn't pick any, P rebuked T for trying to touch them with a stick by yelling (loudly) "STOP! You're hurting them. Don't hurt them!" Apparently the National Park Service's anti-blossom-picking campaign was a success with the girls (the cute beaver mascot especially won their hearts).

For more info on the festival, Kid-Friendly DC has the scoop, click here. And if you don't feel like dealing with the tidal basin crowds, you can also see cherry blossoms in bloom at the National Arboretum (Washington D.C.) and Meadowlark Gardens (Vienna, VA), both of which are incredible places to visit.

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