There is something magical about visiting Washington DC during the peak of the Cherry Blossoms. During the 12 years that I have lived here in the metro DC area, I have been able to travel down to the City several times to see the blossoming trees. Last year, I even did an early morning photo walk with friends during the cherry blossom festival. I never tire of it.
It’s wonderful when the Cherry Blossoms peak during Spring Break, so that I can go downtown with the kids and appreciate our Nation’s Capitol, which is so close to home.
This last week was our kids’ Spring Break. And it happened to be the last Spring Break in this area for our friends who are moving out of state. We made a point to schedule our traditional Spring Break outings together. One last time.
On Thursday, we drove our two vehicles, loaded to the rim with our 11 kids (combined), sunscreen, cameras, and a picnic lunch. We were ready to go to the National Zoo. It’s tradition.
Twenty two miles…..and THREE hours later, we made it to the zoo’s entrance, where they promptly turned us away. Too many people.
We made the quick decision to drive the rest of the way down to the National Mall and see the Cherry Blossoms. Why not? We were almost there, and had plans to visit the Mall on another day. Parking? Ugh. Our car was a thirty minute walk to the Lincoln Memorial. That’s 30 minutes of walking with 11 kids. We rested and talked and played at the top of the Lincoln Memorial. And then drove home. Without ever seeing a single Cherry Blossom.
Every single stinking picture in this post was taken in my front yard. And these aren’t even cherry blossoms. Could you tell? Nope? Me neither. So much for sight seeing. We should have stayed home.
© 2010, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
I can’t believe you were turned away at the zoo! I’ve never heard of that happening.
Your pictures are beautiful though, wish the day had turned out better.
.-= Brenda´s last blog ..Clocks/Wordful Wednesday =-.
Wow, these photos are beautiful. I especially like the close ups.
So much for your trip. At least you tried!
.-= Allison´s last blog ..Easter Eggs =-.
You had me fooled for a second there, haha! Hurray for your blossoms! Our trees are done blossoming and I was able to catch ’em when they were pretty flowers like what you’ve got now. I heart Spring (although we had a taste of winter on Easter Sunday). Enjoy it ~ we’re sneezing here already :)
.-= GrammieMommy´s last blog ..Hello Manual Mode, Goodby AV Mode =-.
Great idea! Our parking situation is MUCH better than DC. And if we add our kids together, we’ll have our own zoo!
That’s so funny about your dad! My husband can be the same way about things like that, especially waiting in lines and waiting at restaurants. Parking doesn’t stress him as much as me, though.
So we’re only 60 degrees warmer than you guys? Geesh!
And, yes, things never go as planned with kids.
That stinks! I’m going to try going again during a school day. :)
We’ve pretty much decided after a decade in the DC area that we will only do early morning trips to DC during holidays and other busy times. We did an early morning zoo trip (arrived at 9:30 exactly) last week for spring break and loved it. We got a great parking spot, the animals were all active, and we left as soon as the crowds all arrived. A couple of years ago we got in a car accident trying to see the cherry blossoms, so we haven’t been in a few years. Maybe next time I’ll just drive to your house and sit in your front yard and pretend we’re downtown. :)
.-= Lara´s last blog ..What Rhymes with Easter? =-.
So gorgeous! Thanks for sharing.
.-= Michelle @ One Crafty Mama´s last blog ..WW – Equine Humor! =-.
I havent been down since I was a teen. I remember my Dad, who rarely cursed, just swearing like a sailor trying to find parking. I also remember SO many people and jockeying for prime photo positions…I still want to go back down one year though. Just not with kids!
Your photos are BEAUTIFUL!
Mindy
.-= mindy´s last blog ..Blogtrotting to Cumberland, Maryland =-.
Ahhh the joys of parenting. Nothing ever goes how it is planned right?? Oh well I am sure the kids had a blast anyway….. Those blossoms are beautiful I need to see those here but with a temp this am of 27 don’t think we will be seeing them today haha!
.-= Brandie´s last blog ..Bloggography Week 7~The Rule of Thirds =-.
I love the Cherry Blossems! I live an hour from DC and I remember my Dad packing us up to go see them. It was always so much fun!
Don’t worry about missing the zoo. A fried of mine took her two kids and was really disappointed. The zoo is going under renovation and almost all the animals have been moved. She said all they saw were a couple monkeys and a ton of birds. Sounds like you lucked out!
Have a wonderful day!
So beautiful!!
I have been to DC a number of times in the past, but this spring break I finally was able to take my son. You can read about our trip on my blog if you like. I had forgotten how much I love roaming the Mall and how much there is to see and how you can’t fit it into a lifetime. Of course, we missed the Cherry Blossom festival by just two weeks, which was a bit of a bummer. But having read your blog, now I know there was no guarantee we would have seen them any ways.
.-= Jacki @ The Raven’s Spell´s last blog ..Tarot Tuesday =-.
The SAME thing happened to my girlfriend, me and our kids! We tried to go to the zoo last Wednesday. Got there at 11:30 and the parking lot was already full. No parking within a mile of the entrance either. So, we decided we’d go down to the Tidal Basin and picnic amongst the cherry blossoms. Once again, no parking! We ended up on Haines Point where we found a parking spot and were able to sit beneath the cherry blossoms right on the Potomac. Not crowded either. This is our first spring in DC and I’m loving it! (Other than the parking issue, of course!)
.-= Vicki´s last blog ..Baptism! =-.
It seems that this was not the best week to travel to DC….LOTS of people did it. Too many, in fact. I hope you enjoyed your break in New York!
Yep! We’re near DC! I think I am going to have to agree with you on the Cherry Blossoms. Last year, I went early, early in the morning with only adults and it was much better….except that it was raining and knocking the blossoms off!
I’m kind of thinking the same thing. I think being inside the zoo with so many people would have been, well, a ZOO!
If I hadn’t at least tried, I would have felt bad. Instead, I just felt tired and frustrated. :)
How wonderful! Spring is wonderful, but not as pretty in NYC. I was down about not being able to go to DC for my child’s spring break. Thanks for sharing! The pictures are beautiful!
Followed you over from Sits!
I didn’t realize you lived here in the DC area, too!! We avoid the cherry blossom festival if at all possible!! It’s too much humanity for too few trees. Your blossoms are beautiful in your yard!
.-= Julie´s last blog ..Eight Years =-.
Wow what a day! Good thing you got turned away at the zoo, I bet it was pandemonium inside! Beautiful shots, I can’t wait till the boys are all old enough to visit DC.
.-= Beth´s last blog ..Bloggography Rule of Thirds Challenge =-.
Ah! See, here I was feeling a little bummed about not having the time to get to DC to see the cherry blossoms and you made me feel so much better with your tales of terrible traffic and parking. Like you, I’ll have to make do with the trees in my own yard.
.-= Colleen´s last blog ..Last Stop Grand Central Station (or NYC part 1) =-.