"Cherry Blossom Views 2003" by soccergrrl

Peak bloom!

Every year when the cherry blossoms peak, a group from my office walks down to the Tidal Basin and enjoys the sights. This year, sadly, the weather was grey and cool. We didn't have our usual picnic lunch, but we still enjoyed seeing the blossoms. It doesn't seem to matter how many times I've seen the same trees; every year they are breathtaking. What an unmistakable reminder that there is beauty in the world if you look in the right places.

That's the Jefferson Memorial there, and some cherry blossoms in the foreground. The water is the Tidal Basin.

This is just a closer shot of the same thing. The blossoms you see at the very top are on one of the pinker trees. Most of the trees have blossoms of the palest pink to almost white, but a handful are a true pink. This little tree was a star, attracting nearly every passerby with a camera.

I seem to take a version of this photo every year; I love seeing the Washington Monument peeking up over the cherry trees.

After the blossoms there will be shiny, new green leaves.

Near the Tidal Basin, right along Constitution Avenue, the park service maintains a "Tulip Library." So go ahead--stick your nose in this library "book."

OK, there aren't any cherry blossoms in this picture--you caught me. But I love this tree, and the flags were all waving so nicely around the bottom of the Washington Monument. Thanks for visiting.