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Post by htmb on Mar 29, 2014 14:22:20 GMT
The National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, DC, March 20 to April 13, is an event I've never witnessed, so this year I scheduled a trip for the last week in March. This was the only time I could get away from work, hoping the blossoms would bloom on the early side this year. However, it was not to be. They've had a very cold DC winter and, instead of blossoms, I experienced a day and a half of snow, strong winds, and sub-freezing weather. Still, it was a nice visit and I was able to take advantage of smaller crowds and experience a much more leisurely pace, while still covering a lot of territory. The first day I arrived at the National Mall about 8:15 where it was 27 degrees F. I think it warmed up to a "sweltering" 35 that day, but the sun was shining and at least the winds were calm. Too early for the cleaners to have made their rounds at the Vietnam Memorial. A few lone walkers were about, as well as some early morning joggers. Looking towards the Lincoln Memorial.
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Post by htmb on Mar 29, 2014 15:10:43 GMT
As I continued walking some 8 1/2 miles for that day I began to see small tour groups of mostly middle and high school students. Here's evidence that spring is really beginning. Approaching the WWII Memorial. And, of course, the fountains are still in winterized condition. As I worked my way towards the. Tidal Basin area I found a little more color peeping through the trees.
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Post by tod2 on Mar 29, 2014 15:34:02 GMT
A lovely start htmb! So strange to see some of the Washington monuments that I've visited but from a completely different angle. Looking forward to more blossoms!
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Post by htmb on Mar 29, 2014 16:08:13 GMT
Thank you, Tod. There's certainly a different type of view to be had when most of the trees are bare-limbed. Not having government barricades makes a difference, too. ;-) I'm afraid the cherry blossoms will happen about two weeks too late for me to see first hand. During the height of the spring bloom the Tidal Basin is ringed with beautiful snowy blossoms. I took these photos five days ago, and the following day three inches of snow fell. Not very conducive to a spring bloom. I love the twists and bends in the trunks of these old cherry trees. Looking in one direction I could see school groups forming at the Jefferson Memorial. I headed west towards the Martin Luther King, Jr and Franklin Roosevelt Memorials.
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Post by htmb on Mar 29, 2014 17:10:44 GMT
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Post by mossie on Mar 29, 2014 17:12:42 GMT
Nice to see Spring just beginning to break through.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2014 18:04:38 GMT
I've been to so many places in the wrong season that I know exactly how you feel. However, I would love to tour Washington D.C. at any time of year, because the last time I was there other than at one of the airports was when I was 4 years old. There is some rare photographic evidence of that visit but absolutely nothing in my brain about it.
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Post by htmb on Mar 29, 2014 19:10:26 GMT
It's really wonderful to be able to pop in and out of the free national museums. Most, if not all, have coat checks as well as places to purchase fairly healthy food selections. Though the National Gallery East "modern art" building is closed for renovations, I ate lunch in the underground tunnel café that separates it from the western wing. Next I went to visit a few "old friends," as well as see a couple of new acquisitions. I always love watching how others experience the Saint-Gaudens. Shaw Memorial 1900 Vincent van Gogh, Green Wheat Fields, Auvers, 1890 A recent donation to the museum. Renoir, Auguste, French, 1841 - 1919 Odalisque 1870 Bazille, Frédéric, French, 1841 - 1870 Young Woman with Peonies 1870 I don't recall having ever seen the next painting by Jacques-Louis David. The Emperor Napoleon in His Study at the Tuileries 1812
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Post by Deleted on Mar 29, 2014 19:13:55 GMT
Oh, I've seen that portrait of Napoleon. The museum photos are lovely.
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Post by htmb on Mar 29, 2014 19:17:35 GMT
I've seen photos of it, and paintings of some similar to it, but don't recall having seen this specific painting in the National Gallery before. Either I just hadn't noticed, or it's been moved to a more prominent place.
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Post by htmb on Mar 29, 2014 19:19:43 GMT
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Post by fumobici on Mar 29, 2014 19:33:32 GMT
Wow. This makes me want to go to DC! The museum with the paintings looks quite amazing.
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Post by htmb on Mar 29, 2014 21:34:55 GMT
Fumobici, it's a wonderful museum. Here's a link to a more complete thread I started in 2013: National Gallery of Art
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Post by mich64 on Mar 29, 2014 21:38:32 GMT
This is a city we will visit sometime in the near future. We had thought this spring but it was not to be. Do you have to go there often for work htmb? It is a shame you missed the cherry blossoms, normally they would be in bloom correct?
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Post by htmb on Mar 29, 2014 21:53:05 GMT
I think it varies every year, Mich, depending on how severe the winter has been. I currently have family living in the area, so have been lucky to have made a few trips in recent years. Of course, the next day of my trip I woke up to this:
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Post by mich64 on Mar 29, 2014 22:07:01 GMT
I think when we do decide to go we will do it last minute so we ensure we do not miss the cherry blossoms. I guess that polar vortex just does not want to retreat. Do you stay with family when there or in a hotel?
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Post by htmb on Mar 29, 2014 22:31:09 GMT
I am fortunate to be able to stay with family, but take the Metro bus to the Metro station and back from their neighborhood in Virginia. Many years ago I also stayed in a Maryland hotel near a metro station. I think, for a visitor who isn't going to stay right in the middle of DC that would be ideal. Metro stops are much more spread out than in a city such as Paris (the metro system with which I am most familiar), but Washington is a fairly easy city to get around with great public transportation. I also have to say I've found the metro personnel to be extremely helpful. I'm sure there are exceptions, but everyone I've asked for help has been both courteous and attentive.
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Post by htmb on Mar 30, 2014 13:38:22 GMT
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Post by htmb on Mar 30, 2014 21:21:26 GMT
One of my favorite places to walk has become the area on the north west side of the mall where there's a little lake. I went out onto the small island to the side of the lake just as a flock of about 200 geese began to fly in to land. They came in three different waves, and seemed surprised to have me standing there. I was a bit surprised, as well, but began snapping pictures at anything that moved.
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Post by htmb on Mar 30, 2014 21:35:32 GMT
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Post by bjd on Mar 31, 2014 7:05:03 GMT
USAnians don't realize it, but those geese are a Canadian invasion force.
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Post by mossie on Mar 31, 2014 15:35:33 GMT
Those geese amused me. And bjd, to suggest they are an invasion force just adds to the illusion I get of fighters performing violent evasive manoeuvres. Note that one is at almost full 90 degree bank but is keeping his head almost level so as to maintain a strategic view.
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Post by htmb on Mar 31, 2014 15:37:25 GMT
Dumb birds!
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Post by htmb on Mar 31, 2014 16:03:15 GMT
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Post by htmb on Mar 31, 2014 16:26:01 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2014 16:32:37 GMT
htmb, please tell me which camera you use. I need to get one!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2014 17:41:44 GMT
I have always read what an interesting place Georgetown is but I don't think I had ever seen any photos of it. The pictures you took certainly make we want to explore.
Seeing the size of those flying geese, it made me wonder what the biggest flying birds are, because some of those geese must be approaching the size limit. Then again, if an A380 of a B747 can fly, why not a big bird?
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Post by htmb on Mar 31, 2014 20:09:17 GMT
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Post by htmb on Mar 31, 2014 20:16:38 GMT
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Post by nycgirl on Apr 3, 2014 4:07:42 GMT
I'm sorry you didn't get to see the cherry blossoms this time, but keep your fingers crossed for my sake. I booked a trip to DC the weekend after next and I would love, love, love to see the cherry trees in peak bloom. But even if I miss it, I'll still have a great time. There's so much to see and this will be my first overnight trip to DC.
Nice to see the Washington Monument doesn't have much scaffolding on it now. I saw pictures of it earlier this year and it was not looking very photogenic at the time. I hope to see fountains and pools filled in, too.
Georgetown sure looks charming. We're going to go on a river cruise that leaves from Georgetown. I'll definitely take some time to stroll around the neighborhood.
Thanks for sharing these lovely photos. I'm even more excited to get to DC now!
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