Sunday, April 13, 2014

In Full Bloom

It's days like today when I am reminded about why I'm lucky to live not too far from our nations capital, Washington DC.  A friend of mine mentioned yesterday that she was participating in an early morning "Ranger Run" through the cherry blossoms, and offered to take anyone who wanted to see them with her.  In the 20 years we've lived here, I've never gone, so I jumped at the chance.  While she ran, I leisurely walked and enjoyed the blossoms along the tidal basin.  
~The Washington Monument from the Tidal Basin~
If you ever get the chance to come here this time of year, it's definitely worth it.  The whole area along the tidal basin suddenly turns pink and white as the cherry blossoms begin to bloom on approximately 3,750 trees that are descendants of a gift from the people of Japan in 1912.
~The Thomas Jefferson Memorial~
The walk by the river under the cherry blossoms is just magical, and on a sunny morning like today, it was the most beautiful place to be!
I love history and trivia, so here are a few more photos and a few more things I learned about the history of the cherry trees that perhaps you didn't know either.
In January 1910, around 2,000 cherry trees arrived in Washington, D.C. About two weeks later, the Department of Agriculture discovered that the trees were diseased and unfit for planting. The department concluded that the trees must be destroyed and so they were burned.  However 24 trees were spared and allowed to grow under observation in an unspecified location.  Today there are eighteen cherry trees growing near Hanes Point.  Where these trees came from is unknown, and  proof that these trees are from the 1910 shipment doesn't exist.  But evidence supports that they are, and it's felt that they are among the most historically significant trees in the entire United States.
On Valentine’s Day in 1912, as a symbol of friendship, 3,020 more cherry trees were sent from Japan. 
Americans haven't always been as enamored by the cherry trees. Three days after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, trees were chopped down in what was suspected to be an act of retaliation. For the duration of World War II, the trees were referred to as “Oriental” not “Japanese” cherry trees.
After World War II, cuttings from the cherry trees were sent back to Japan to restore the Tokyo collection that was decimated by American bombing attacks during the war.
In 1991 a few young plants grafted from the trees were gifted back to Japan, and one of them graces the front of a tombstone in a crowded Yokohama cemetery. An adjacent monument reads: “A woman who loved Japanese cherry blossoms rests in peace here.” That woman is Eliza Scidmore, the woman whose idea it was to bring the trees to Washington more than a hundred years ago.  

And finally, just to end on a lighter note and because you may have thought I'd actually have a post without a dog being in it, I will add these last two photos.     
Enjoy your Sunday!  

33 comments:

  1. Just beautiful. SHE only ever saw them on postcards because it seems it rained or was windy every year when SHE was there are the blossoms fell off.

    We noticed they had a beaver saying don't climb the trees instead of a squirrel. BOL!

    XXXOOO bella & Roxy

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  2. The blossoms are beautiful, and the history tells me so much more. Love the close-up, and new doggies. Cheers, jean.

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  3. So beautiful! I've been to Washington in April 2000, but those cherries weren't blooming. Maybe I was there too early to see them. I've been walking along the same path way. Happy Sunday, Kim!

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  4. It is lovely to see these trees in your photos, must have been awesome to see for real. Is that one of your crew that went with you? Interesting to know the history of the tree too, I've never heard that before.

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  5. Hello Kim, the Cherry Blossoms are beautiful. It is a great time to visit Washington DC. Hubby and I went one year and the crowds were just too much for me.. So I am happy to see the pretty blossoms thru your eyes and lens. Great shots, have a happy Sunday!

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  6. Kim,
    Thanks for the beautiful shots and trivia.
    I had the change to see some of these beautiful trees when my grandparents lived in Maryland.
    Did you also see some trees decorated with colored plastic eggs for Easter and blow-up Bunnies?
    Enjoy the rest of your day.

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  7. Morning Kim, oh my, I can imagine how great they smell, looks so beautiful. I enjoyed reading the info on the Cherry trees, Thanks. Have a great day, Hugs Francine.

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  8. Wonderful that the blossom and the parade should coincide.

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  9. I love this post - I didn't know all of those facts about the trees. I've never seen them but would love to.

    xo
    Lynn

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  10. Some of your pictures are postcard worthy. Just gorgeous. Thanks for the history lesson too.

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  11. A most beautiful and interesting post, Kim! Lovely photos! Did they smell?

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  12. thanks for the history behind it - i had no idea...

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  13. So beautiful! And pink!!
    Have a nice day, Kim :)

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  14. So beautiful, we are so jealous! Mom spent Memorial Day weekend these last year, she said it was the best trip ever!! Jus wish the trees were still in bloom like that.

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  15. Beautiful pictures. Bet they smell nice too.

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  16. Oh how I miss driving into DC to see the cherry trees. The first thing we did after moving her was to plant a couple cherry trees of our own. They haven't bloomed yet so I have something to look forward to.

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  17. Thanks for sharing your photos and for the history lesson.

    Aroo to you,
    Sully

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  18. Beautiful! So glad the weather was good.

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  19. OMG! This is amazing, Kim! And yes I would LOVE to witness this sight! Add it to that ever-increasing 'to do list'!
    Thanks too for the history behind these beautiful trees.....quite a story.
    So happy that you jumped at the chance to travel to DC....as I'm sure you are too!
    Thanks so much!

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  20. Your photos are glorious! I've never seen the cherry trees in bloom - but your photos make me want to! I didn't know the history. The whole WWII episode regarding the trees is fascinating.

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  21. O what a gorgeous post!!! The Mom whas in DC at the height of cherry blossom season about a decade ago... and what beautiful memories yeu have rekindled!!!

    wif lubbs from Little Reufus

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  22. It's been at least twenty years since I have made the trip to see the cherry blossoms. My husband used to work a few blocks from there, and each year we would drive to DC, pRk I. His building's parking,garage, and spend the afternoon surrounded by all that loveliness. I didn't know the story of,the trees the trees at Haines Point.

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  23. How wonderful! We did not see the cherry blossoms on our trip into DC yesterday, but I have enjoyed them several times in the past. We were there to attend the yearly ceremony at the Navy Memorial later in the day. The traffic was at a stand-still and it was impossible to get down to the Basin. We eventually turned in the opposite direction to get out of the city, driving around DC and eventually getting home. I have never in all the years I have lived near DC, seen it as crowded as it was yesterday. People were out in their thousands enjoying the parade, the blossoms and walking around. It was good to see.

    Your photos are awesome. I will be giving my in-laws your link so that they can enjoy them.

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  24. Golly, what lovely photographs...and thank you for the informative post as well. Oh, to experience the delight of warm sunbeams and fragrant blooms...tonic for a winter-weary soul.
    Sending hugs your way ...
    Judy

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  25. What a great post. Your photographs are sensational and I learned a lot about the history of these trees. Thanks!

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  26. Oh, my, these photos of the cherry trees blooming at our capitol are awesome. They are so beautiful and I enjoyed so very, very much this posting. You are so fortunate to live close enough to Washington, DC to take these photos. I would love to go there at springtime when the cherry trees are blooming. The history of the cherry trees was very interesting, too.
    I hope you have a Happy Easter!

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  27. Those cherry trees are spectacular. So silly that trees got all tangled up in politics! I can't imagine cut down something so beautiful.

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  28. Beautiful. I would love to see this in person. Hope all the animal kids are doing well.

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  29. My peep didn't know anything about the cherry trees! Thank you for your very insightful post. =) I bet it is just breath-taking right now. Is it as crowded as the 4th of July?
    oxox
    Daisy

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  30. They are unforgettable in their beauty. I saw them in 1964 when my dad visited me from Sweden. The history was interesting, I had no idea.

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  31. Oh my gosh- the photos are spectacular!
    love
    tweedles

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  32. MAN!!! what a glorious and informative and interesting post! and it ended with doggy noses.
    just the best!
    xo

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  33. So beautiful! I haven't been there since I graduated from high school...a long long time ago.

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Speak--I really enjoy your comments! Thanks for stopping by today!!