Anniversary blossoms

[resqgeek]

Twelve years ago, yesterday, my wife and I stood in front of the altar in my parish and exchanged vows. Yesterday turned out to be a beautiful day to spend remembering that event.

On Saturday afternoon, after the girls' soccer games were finished, we drove to my MIL's house, where we dropped the kids off for a couple of nights with grandma, giving us a day to ourselves yesterday. We started off with a champagne brunch at a nearby restaurant. We enjoyed the buffet and ate far too much food, but it was relaxing and fun. Afterwards, we drove into DC and after a bit of searching managed to find a parking space that wasn't miles away from the Tidal Basin and the cherry blossoms.

This was one of those years when the peak of the blossoms happened to coincide with the National Cherry Blossom Festival, and so as we made our way toward the Tidal Basin, we found ourselves surrounded by thousands (probably tens of thousands) of other people. Yet even with all these people, it was a surprisingly relaxing way to spend the afternoon. We took a leisurely stroll around the tidal basin, past the Franklin Roosevelt Memorial, across the bridge on Independence Avenue, with the Washington Monument off to the left and around towards the Jefferson Memorial. There were crowds of people walking along the paths around the Tidal Basin, people picnicking on the grass and posing for pictures among the cherry trees. Everyone seemed very relaxed and patient. When we finally made it around to the Jefferson memorial, there was a stage set up in front of the memorial, so that the steps became seating for an outdoor theater. On stage was a group of Japanese drummers performing, which was interesting, but didn't hold my attention for very long. However, on the pavement in front of the stage was a pair of performers costumed as a dog, hamming it up with the crowd. They were pretty good, and it was fun to just stand in the sun for a few minutes and laugh.

Eventually, we made our way back to the car and headed home, where we spent a quiet evening alone. It might not have been an exciting anniversary celebration, but it was relaxing and fun.

Comments

[skyring.livejournal.com]

Congratulations!

I walked that same path when i was there in 2005. I kept on thinking, as I regarded the bare trees and the frozen Tidal Basin, that it must be a pretty sight in Spring!

It is a nice place for an anniversary ....

[thecrrcookie.livejournal.com]

Craig and I spent our last anniversary in the same area. It was September so the cherry blossoms were not in bloom but it must be a popular day for weddings as we saw no less than three other bridal groups out at the monuments for pictures.

It is an area that I would like to visit again. Maybe I will get there sometime this spring while the trees are at least green.