Mission Cherry Blossom
I’m not a morning person. I like to take my time getting up – drifting in and out of dreams for at least a half hour before getting out of bed. Yet, this past Wednesday, seeing a bright blue sky out my window, I got up right away, dressed in my running gear and was out the door by 8am. I carried my iPod in one hand, camera in the other. I had a very important mission – Mission Cherry Blossom.
Ever since moving to DC last September, I’ve heard so much about these famous blossoms, I was almost sick of them before laying eyes on any. I wasn’t sure what to expect, how could a bunch of flowering trees really be that great?
Run/walking down to the mall, I arrived along the Tidal Basin by 8:30am, and quickly fell under hypnosis. White and pink flower-laden branches hung heavy over the water’s edge. The morning’s yellow sun shown threw the blossoms, creating a majestic blotchy lighting affect along the pathway. The water glistened. A cool breeze moved the trees and flowers ever so slightly. I’d run along this path a few times before, but today was totally different. Today – the trees, flowers, and waves were more alive than ever – it was as if the whole scene was dancing.
I began snapping photos right away – desperate to capture the beauty of the flowering trees wrapped around the Tidal Basin. In between taking photos, I jogged along the pathway, looking for other appealing vantage points of the Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument. At this hour, I shared the path with only a few people – runners, bikers, walkers, and professional photographers with huge cameras strapped around their necks. I found myself smiling at every single person as they passed – in awkward recognition of the tranquil joy we experienced together in silence.
For those of you that haven’t made it to Washington DC’s Cherry Blossom Festival, here are a few of my favorite pictures.
With only two weeks to go before the marathon now, I’m enjoying my short run/walks in the beautiful spring weather. Hard to believe that only a few months ago, this city was white-washed in snow.
DC is as beautiful as ever. Having attended college in DC, I know first hand just what you have captured here. Oh the memories of quieter times, simpler times. That was 30 years ago. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. The photos and the script are truly joyful.