Picture of cherry blossoms in front of Jefferson MemorialWhen you think of Washington, DC, does your mind summon images of politicians debating in senate/house chambers, judges ruling on national legal matters, or the president going about the business of running our country? Washington DC is a place where serious, history-making decisions and events take place, but in early April, when parts of the city become canopied in delicate, pale-pink, cherry blossoms, the city takes on a softness that is absolutely stunning.

We’ve all heard people say, “Pictures don’t do it justice.” DC in early April is one of those examples. Imagine walking under a delicate umbrella of thousands of barely-pink, cherry blossoms. A gentle, but crisp, breeze causes
the petals to ripple, and across the shimmering water of the Tidal Basin, you see the white colonnades of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. At that moment, the world feels very alive, fresh, and full of promise. Although I no longer work in DC, whenever I think of my time there, I think of DC in April, and I immediately remember that feeling.

If you want to see it for yourself, the National Cherry Blossom Festival runs from March 27 through April 11.
To find out about festival events, peak bloom predictions, directions, reservations, and other details, check out these resources:

While you are in DC, for those of you who have an interest in science, don’t forget to check out the
National Academy of Sciences’ Einstein Memorial. It is one of my favorite places in
DC. It’s a great place to eat a sack lunch, read a good book, or just ponder life’s big questions. The memorial is tucked away in a grove of trees across the street from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Constitution Avenue.

If you get a chance to go to the festival or if you just make a trip to see the blossoms, drop me a line. I would love to hear your impressions. A word of caution, the festival and the blossoms are very popular. Getting around in a car may be a bit of a challenge. Your best bet may be taking the metro into the city.

P.S. If you haven’t done your federal taxes yet, maybe on your way to the National Cherry Blossom Festival
on March 27th, you can stop at one of the 180 Local IRS Offices to get help completing your taxes. Sorry… they made me put in that reminder.

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