After our evening walk through the canopies of the Cherry Blossoms at their peak at the Tidal Basin here in DC, I thought to myself, "Why not get up ridiculously early while it’s still dark and go check out the sunrise there?"
TIP: If you're visiting DC, traffic isn't “bad” around 5:30am downtown.
By the time the sun's first rays were ready to color the area, people were pretty much elbow to elbow waiting. As the golden hour unfolded, the tripods gradually disappeared, replaced by clusters of visitors weaving among the delicate pink blooms, eagerly snapping selfies and commemorating special moments with wedding pics, graduation pics, and so many gorgeous Quinceañera dresses. There were lines of people with either their camera or their iPhone capturing one last shot of the famous Cherry Tree known affectionately as "Stumpy" before its imminent removal as part of the Tidal Basin's renovation project this spring.
NOTE TO HAYDEN: The Tidal Basin is a man-made reservoir created in the 19th century that serves as a focal point for the iconic National Cherry Blossom Festival, drawing millions of visitors annually to witness the fleeting beauty of the blossoms. The basin, surrounded by a picturesque promenade, offers panoramic views of some of the capital's most famous landmarks, including the Jefferson Memorial, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and the Washington Monument. The Cherry Blossoms, gifted to the United States by Japan in 1912, symbolize the enduring friendship between the two nations and have become a cherished symbol of springtime renewal and natural beauty. However, in recent years, the Tidal Basin has faced significant challenges due to erosion, flooding, and aging infrastructure, prompting a comprehensive restoration effort to preserve its historic significance and ecological integrity for generations to come. (She likes this stuff)
Set 1 - Trees
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