Washington’s iconic cherry blossom trees, a gift of friendship from the people of Japan to the people of the United States in 1912, are close to peak bloom, expected to reach there on Thursday, when it’s forecast to be 75 degrees. There’s some concern that several 20 degree nights in a row may impact the blossoms, but thousands of people will go to the Tidal Basin to see them regardless. We used to go every year, but lately it’s become a real hassle, especially after the worst of the pandemic, when nobody could go.

The road running by the Tidal Basin will be almost impassable on the weekend, so I took this quick shot as we were driving home from Virginia, a hint of what’s to come.

More spring blooms, posted earlier: