So a couple weeks ago, the National Park Service announced when the peak blooming period would be for the cherry blossoms this year.
Apparently, they were wrong.
This morning, Rob DeFeo, the Chief Horticulturist of the NPS, announced a ‘revised’ bloom period: April 1-4 . (Yep, shorter than previously predicted.)
We can’t blame DeFeo for revising his forecast; for years, he gave the prediction only a few days from the annual festival. These days, he’s been pressed to give it closer to three weeks out. And it’s been four years since Eleanor Moffatt passed away; her advice was always welcome around the NPS when it came to predicting the beautiful blossoms’ bloom time. DeFeo’s only been wrong a few times in his 19 year career as the Chief Horticulturist.
So DC, get ready. The tourists, they are a-comin’…
Having lived in the DC area for ten years, Ben still loves to wander the city with his wife, shooting lots of photos and exploring all the latest exhibits and galleries. A certified hockey fanatic, he spends some time debating the Washington Capitals club with friends – but everyone knows of his three decade love affair with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
A professional writer, gamer, photographer, and Lego enthusiast, Ben remains captivated by DC and doesn’t plan on leaving any time soon.
This is so exciting! Cherry blossoms are AWESOME. Though you’re right, that IS also the time that tourists start flooding the city. *sigh* I don’t mind them so much except for the way they clog up the metro system. :/
You know what’s great about being in-between jobs right now? I can go down and see the blossoms during the work week and not be hammered by the weekend tourists. Though we’ll be going down that weekend anyway, with my newly-relocated cousin in tow…
Sweet that you can do that! You’ll get to actually enjoy that, rather than crowdsurf over tourists. :) Have fun!
If you can overcome the misery it’s also pretty awesome to get there before sun-up. Plenty of folks do it but I doubt it’s ever any less crowded through the rest of the day. The light is lovely and it’s wonderfully quiet.
Plus the sleep-deprivation makes the whole thing a little trippy.