Ian Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 this is at least sorta weather related -- the unofficial beginning of the warm season in D.C. National Park Service Chief Horticulturist Rob DeFeo on Thursday morning offered his best educated guess for the date when Washington's famed cherry trees will be in peak bloom: March 29 to April 3. It is an announcement closely watched by a tourist industry that reaps $150 million from the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which will run from March 26 through April 10. The average peak bloom date is April 4, according to the festival organizers, who will be joined for the announcement at the Newseum by representatives from D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray's office and the Japanese Embassy http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/03/AR2011030302056.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoVaSnow Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 this is at least sorta weather related -- the unofficial beginning of the warm season in D.C. National Park Service Chief Horticulturist Rob DeFeo on Thursday morning offered his best educated guess for the date when Washington's famed cherry trees will be in peak bloom: March 29 to April 3. It is an announcement closely watched by a tourist industry that reaps $150 million from the National Cherry Blossom Festival, which will run from March 26 through April 10. The average peak bloom date is April 4, according to the festival organizers, who will be joined for the announcement at the Newseum by representatives from D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray's office and the Japanese Embassy http://www.washingto...1030302056.html Perfect timing for my trip to Nats Park for Opening Day, March 31. I love Spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs.J Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 Think we will go down to celebrate our anniversary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted March 3, 2011 Author Share Posted March 3, 2011 Perfect timing for my trip to Nats Park for Opening Day, March 31. I love Spring. i wonder what would happen if the gov was closed during the festival. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Avdave Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 i wonder what would happen if the gov was closed during the festival. I think the cherry blossoms will still blossom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IsentropicLift Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 I was planning on proposing at the end of March. Maybe I should take a drive down and do it on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted March 3, 2011 Author Share Posted March 3, 2011 I think the cherry blossoms will still blossom i doubt it would last that long unless it's pushed back again (if it even happens), but i think in the past they closed the mall etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mappy Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 i doubt it would last that long unless it's pushed back again (if it even happens), but i think in the past they closed the mall etc. Well the trees would still blossom... just no visitors to see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weatherMA Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 I'll be in DC Mar 17-20. Any way it can happen 10 days early? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MN Transplant Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 i doubt it would last that long unless it's pushed back again (if it even happens), but i think in the past they closed the mall etc. How do they close the Mall? Barricades? Close down Ohio, Independence and Maine? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted March 3, 2011 Author Share Posted March 3, 2011 How do they close the Mall? Barricades? Close down Ohio, Independence and Maine? im not really sure.. or if they even actually close the whole mall or just the buildings. these are some pics from the 90s. http://www.delcotimes.com/content/articles/2011/02/20/business/doc4d614d25ea406047348130.jpg http://cmsimg.tennessean.com/apps/pbcsi.dll/bilde?Site=DN&Date=20110228&Category=NEWS08&ArtNo=102280348&Ref=AR&MaxW=640&Border=0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MN Transplant Posted March 3, 2011 Share Posted March 3, 2011 im not really sure.. or if they even actually close the whole mall or just the buildings. these are some pics from the 90s. http://www.delcotime...06047348130.jpg http://cmsimg.tennes...xW=640&Border=0 Yeah, that's why I doubt it would affect the Cherry Blossoms much, other than not having, um, facilities. http://www.wusa9.com/news/article/137840/158/Strange-Truths-About-Government-Shutdown One of the biggest complaints last time the government shut down was the shuttered national parks. Closed parks are not that big a deal here in DC, where you can just walk up and down the National Mall and see what you want -- other than the inside of the museums. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dude Posted March 4, 2011 Share Posted March 4, 2011 im not really sure.. or if they even actually close the whole mall or just the buildings. these are some pics from the 90s. http://www.delcotime...06047348130.jpg http://cmsimg.tennes...xW=640&Border=0 I don't think they close down the Mall itself, just the buildings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormitecture Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 I was planning on proposing at the end of March. Maybe I should take a drive down and do it on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial I wouldn't...the whole reflecting pool is under construction. I'm pretty sure they haven't finished yet. That's kinda a weird spot for proposing, unless it's symbolic of something to you or who you are proposing to. I'll be in DC Mar 17-20. Any way it can happen 10 days early? I think the DC-AMS get-together is during your stay. Not sure, will check. PM if you are interested. Buds might be just peaking. Lots of stuff to see though, green or not. How do they close the Mall? Barricades? Close down Ohio, Independence and Maine? I don't think they close up The Mall for the Blossoms. Some crowd controls with barricades, closed streets, etc. Just be sure to look out for more closing during the 10k & the parade. July 4th is the big CF of an event in DC. It's just horrible how they set that all up. I'll be down in DC for sure at least three of the days of the festival. Will try for more, but my feet can only take so much (still have some residual issues from my kidney dialysis days). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weatherMA Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 I wouldn't...the whole reflecting pool is under construction. I'm pretty sure they haven't finished yet. That's kinda a weird spot for proposing, unless it's symbolic of something to you or who you are proposing to. I think the DC-AMS get-together is during your stay. Not sure, will check. PM if you are interested. Buds might be just peaking. Lots of stuff to see though, green or not. I don't think they close up The Mall for the Blossoms. Some crowd controls with barricades, closed streets, etc. Just be sure to look out for more closing during the 10k & the parade. July 4th is the big CF of an event in DC. It's just horrible how they set that all up. I'll be down in DC for sure at least three of the days of the festival. Will try for more, but my feet can only take so much (still have some residual issues from my kidney dialysis days). I would, but I'm going on a trip with a designated itinerary so I won't be able to. Thanks for mentioning it though! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MN Transplant Posted March 9, 2011 Share Posted March 9, 2011 I wouldn't...the whole reflecting pool is under construction. I'm pretty sure they haven't finished yet. That's kinda a weird spot for proposing, unless it's symbolic of something to you or who you are proposing to. The Mall can be kind of romantic in the dark. Had my first date with my wife there (although she contents that it wasn't actually a date). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormitecture Posted March 10, 2011 Share Posted March 10, 2011 The Mall can be kind of romantic in the dark. Had my first date with my wife there (although she contents that it wasn't actually a date). I love the Theater --> White House --> Old Ebbitts date. I think I've done that date with just about every serious GF I've had. It's especially nice in the cooler or cold weather.I know this is off-topic, but on the subject of proposals, think of what a proposal is. Think of things that marriage symbolizes as well as specifics about your relationship. It doesn't have to be literal either. Concepts are cool. Then take key elements and see if there is someplace that matches that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormitecture Posted March 18, 2011 Share Posted March 18, 2011 Buds are just starting to show. Can't wait for the blooms to fire: Bad thing about this year is that all around The Mall, the Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials is the large amount of construction...isn't going to be easy to get nice photos without sucky backdrops. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nj2va Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 Wonder how the upcoming chill might affect the festival. Bring on the 60s! Screw snow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
North Balti Zen Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 Took the kids down to the Smithsonian last Sunday and then walked the Mall a bit. Found a few of the trees almost in bloom or in bloom. Had forgotten how gorgeous they are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoVaSnow Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 Over here in Crystal City, cherry trees are about 80% in bloom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted March 22, 2011 Author Share Posted March 22, 2011 as of the 19th they were avging the peduncle elongation stage -- about 10 days from peak bloom usually http://www.nps.gov/cherry/cherry-blossom-bloom.htm i havent been down there and it's hard to tell on the webcam http://www.nps.gov/cherry/cherry-blossom-web-cam.htm looks like some bloom perhaps, but there are also a number of trees in the area that look like cherry blossoms that are not. we have some across the street that are not in bloom yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
North Balti Zen Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 I made sure that the one I took pics of was a cherry blossom as it was marked as such outside one of the Smithsonian buildings across from the Metro stop on the mall. Big beautiful pink blossoms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted March 22, 2011 Author Share Posted March 22, 2011 I made sure that the one I took pics of was a cherry blossom as it was marked as such outside one of the Smithsonian buildings across from the Metro stop on the mall. Big beautiful pink blossoms. there are a few different types too, some bloom earlier. i've seen some on the mall bloom in february before. yoshino are the main ones on the tidal basin and they are more white than pink, but there are some darker pink ones intermixed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
North Balti Zen Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 there are a few different types too, some bloom earlier. i've seen some on the mall bloom in february before. yoshino are the main ones on the tidal basin and they are more white than pink, but there are some darker pink ones intermixed. I def didn't read the plaque closely enough to tell what type of cherry blossom it was, other than to verify it was indeed a cherry blossom. In any event, it was out and damn fine to look at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian Posted March 22, 2011 Author Share Posted March 22, 2011 I def didn't read the plaque closely enough to tell what type of cherry blossom it was, other than to verify it was indeed a cherry blossom. In any event, it was out and damn fine to look at. I think I was sort of wrong anyway. I saw a fair number in partial bloom this evening. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BethesdaWX Posted March 23, 2011 Share Posted March 23, 2011 Cherry Blossoms not blooming at all here locally, but the pink buds are beginning to show up. Ours is the last one to bloom, usually doesn't begin flowering around April Fools. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormitecture Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 Yesterday: More here: http://twitpic.com/4deoj1 Not in full bloom yet, but close. Some trees are full bloom, some still have time yet. There are a ton of factors like sunlight, moisture, age, foot traffic & more. I have no idea what, if any impact the snow will have...although it seems like it'll be light (if at all), so I'm gonna GUESS no impact. I ran down early (Sun was my scheduled first day) because I wanted something on a day I know would be sunny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FrederickWX Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 More here: http://twitpic.com/4deoj1 Not in full bloom yet, but close. Some trees are full bloom, some still have time yet. There are a ton of factors like sunlight, moisture, age, foot traffic & more. I have no idea what, if any impact the snow will have...although it seems like it'll be light (if at all), so I'm gonna GUESS no impact. I ran down early (Sun was my scheduled first day) because I wanted something on a day I know would be sunny. Nice shots. Just a shame that temps are 15 degrees below normal. Doesn't make for a pleasant day on the Mall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riptide Posted March 26, 2011 Share Posted March 26, 2011 The snow is going to pwn the cherry blossoms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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