After a few brief months of cold weather, Spring has finally arrived in the Northern Virginia area! My favorite blossoms are out---the cherry blossoms. Although, I didn't make it to the peak blossoming of the Japanese cherry trees down at the Tidal Basin in D.C., I promised myself that I'd go next year with Rome. This year, they reached their peak April 9 and it was uncommonly hot that day (in the lower 90's), so I skipped out and figured they'd have other blossoms in our immediate area.

Fortunately, they did, and I was able to grab a few shots of the pink (and varying colors) of the blooms at the nearby Mount Vernon Estate the other day. Because I grew up in Japan, seeing these blossoms strikes a chord in my heart and it reminds me of my childhood. Not to sound mushy or anything, but I really, really, really adore cherry blossoms.

The best time to visit the cherry blossoms in the Tidal Basin area of Washington D.C. varies each year, due to the weather, so it's best to check the http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/ website in order to determine when you should visit. I know thousands of locals and tourists alike descend in the area to see the blooms, but another alternative would be to see the blossoms at other sites, such as the Botanical Garden or those around the Washington Monument. Also, take advantage of other festivals and activities that are offered around the same time. There's just loads to do when the blossoms come out.