As this is my first spring in DC, this was also my first meeting of the infamous cherry blossom trees. So with my being out of town both “Cherry Blossom” weekends, I had to make a day of it during the week. I was told that it was a must to watch the sun rise over the tidal basin (and bonus no crowds) and then with my love of water and boat tours (this marks my third one here) I planned to see the blossoms from the other side from a boat after work.
The day started with me running to the train station, as I didn’t want to be late and miss the sunrise. From there I got off at the Smithsonian station and started walking down Independence towards the Basin. At 6am it is pitch black in DC and the roads aren’t well marked nor well lit. Yes, I know it’s not the best idea for me to do this on my own without the iPhone to guide me. I so miss that iPhone and it’s directional guidance. Anyways, I am walking down Independence and find my self at a crossroads and not in a good way. The sidewalk has ended and there are two roads (one being a highway) coming straight at me as I stand on a very small v-shaped peninsula where I somehow ended up. On the other side of the one two-lane highway road there is a field-like area and I can tell that the Tidal Basin is right there but well, there is a fence running the length of the road. So what does this very intelligent non-directionally sound person do? I decide to play chicken with the traffic. I had no idea where I came from, how to get back and further if I would ever be able to find the Basin again as it obviously took quite a few wrong turns to get to this point and it was still pitch black. Most importantly I was not missing this sunrise. So I saw a traffic light in the distance turn red and just booked it. I barely made it to the fence clearing as headlights were moving straight towards me. I think my white hat kept me safe and luckily I am alive to tell this tale J So after that stupidity, I found myself at the Tidal Basin while it was still dark out. It was just the photographers and me...
I just start taking pictures, walked among the cherry blossom trees and enjoyed the gorgeous nature all around me. I love that time of the morning when all is quiet and the sun just starts to show. This once again affirmed that I am definitely a morning person. After having some quiet time to myself, I then meet up with a friend. We walk almost around the entire Basin, taking pictures and just enjoying the absolute beauty of the sunrise and flowering trees. After we have walked for a while and can no longer feel our fingers we head to the car to drive around Hains Point. The trees were all fluffy and beautiful. All morning Kate just kept saying that we picked the perfect day, sunny, bright blue sky, not a cloud in sight but it just didn’t seem right as we were bundled up (I had on 6 layers, including a vest, fleece and winter coat) as it was supposed to be warmer. After our drive I was dropped at work and just counting down the hours until the boat tour.
After work, I again ran to the train to head back to the Smithsonian station but this time, I a.) got directions, and b.) was heading south to DC Cruises right by the Fish Market. Sadly one of our crew did not make it in time for the boat’s departure due to DC’s ridiculous traffic. Kate we missed you!!! I will get you on another boat tour soon. And unlike my Monuments by Moonlight Cruise by the same outfit, this time there was actually someone on the boat pointing out what we were seeing from the water. I learned about how the first gift of cherry blossom trees was rejected by the US due to insects and so Japan sent another 3K. I also was told many more about the monuments themselves. I even learned a new word as the “heavliest” guarded building was mentioned. It was quite a lovely tour though and I finally got a great shot of the very low bridge that the boat travels under during the tour!
So when you go out to see the cherry blossoms in DC I highly recommend making a day of it and seeing the sunrise in the morning and then taking a lovely 60 minute cruise on the water after work. It couldn’t have been a more perfect day….well maybe if it was 25 degrees warmer.
