The blossoms for 2008 were in full bloom on Saturday, March 29. It was not an original idea to visit the blossoms, and there were big crowds.

There are many ways to see the blossoms.  I went by the Public Metro Rail via the Smithsonian Station. Others go by car, bus, train, plane, stroller, wheelchair, roller blades, paddle boat, bicycle and helicopter.

See the blossoms a few days
earlier on March 26

Saturday was kite flying day so many kites were aloft along the mall.

Although the "tulip library" is just beginning to bloom, there were enough blossoms to attract admirers with cameras.

Robert E Graf

Adventurer - Photographer
Grandfather

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It was surprising to see so many government helicopters on official business passing by at 300 feet in a tilted configuration over the Tidal Basin and the crowds of people.

It is a good thing that general aviation aircraft are prohibited from flying so close to the monuments and huge crowds as it would be very dangerous, as well against the law.

You may suspect (correctly) that I am a general aviation pilot.

This sidewalk was under water a few days earlier when I visited the "Tidal" Basin.

See the link at the end to see the blossoms a few days earlier.....the difference is dramatic.

I started today's walk at the Smithsonian Metro Station to the right of the upper corner of the diagram. I walked counter-clockwise around the Tidal Basin, past the Bureau of Engraving (where our money is printed) and back to the station.... a distance of about 4 miles. This walk took me three hours. It took a lot of photos.

Some new fences have been installed to keep the crowds on the sidewalks and off the roots of the trees so they won't be killed. The fence is just to the left of the sidewalk on the right side of the photo.

A huge crowd listens to live entertainment on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial.

The White House may be seen in the center of the photo (as viewed from the Jefferson Memorial).

The US Capitol is peeking between the buildings (as viewed from the Jefferson Memorial).

Cherry Blossoms 2007
Cherry Blossoms 2006
Cherry Blossoms 2005
Cherry Blossoms in 2004
Cherry Blossoms in 2003
Cherry Blossoms in 2002
More Flowers
Butterflies