Cherry Blossoms and Liberty...

One of the quick road trips we took during our stay in Ohio was a week and a half long trip to Washington, D.C. and New York City.  We were flexible on our timing, so we watched and waited for the peak of the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C..  What a change from Ohio...  Everything was budding or blooming and spring had definitely sprung in our nation's capitol! 



Todd, Shonah and Todd's cousin Lisa enjoying the Cherry Blossoms near the Tidal Basin in Washington, D.C.

 

Lisa was gracious enough to take us on a guided bike ride around DC to get the best views of the blossoms.



Chip and Shonah taking in the cherry blossoms.



Up close and personal with a cherry blossom in Washington, DC.  The plantings of the cherry blossom trees originated as a gift in 1912 from the people of Japan to the United States as a gesture of friendship and goodwill. Since then, the number of trees has expanded to approximately 3,750 trees of 16 varieties on National Park Service land.



A view of the Washington Monument from across the tidal basin with cherry blossoms at their peak.



A view of the Jefferson Memorial from across the tidal basin in Washington, DC.



The cherry blossoms weren't the only things blooming, the tulips were also beautiful.



Vibrant colors in beautiful gardens.



Poised for pictures!



A view of the Washington Monument and the US Capitol across the reflecting pond.



Todd and Chip stopped by to say hello to the President and First Lady...

 


but they were actually on their way back from Easter morning services.  We just happened to catch the entire motorcade drive by during our bike ride around the White House grounds.



Todd and Chip enjoying more cherry blossoms on a ride around the US Capitol grounds.



Washington DC is actually quite a bike friendly city and we took time to explore several less touristy areas like Roosevelt Island (Theodore) where Chip and Shonah posed for a picture next to the blooming wild flowers.



On a bike ride along the C&O canal tow path, we spotted this bald eagle, our national bird.

After enjoying the hospitality of Todd's cousin Lisa in Washington, DC, we headed for Staten Island, New York where Todd's Aunts Lou and Lynn reside.  It's a short ferry ride from Staten Island to Manhattan where we explored the city with Chip in tow one day and took in a Broadway show on another.  Timing also worked out that Todd's Aunt Sue, Uncle Jim and cousin Lisa were also visiting Lou and Lynn at the same time which gave us a great chance to enjoy some wonderful discussion and family meals together. 



The ferry from Staten Island to Manhattan in New York provides some great views of the famous skyline.



It also passes right by Lady Liberty herself...



We enjoy taking in a Broadway show from time to time and caught "Something Rotten" (a musical centered around William Shakespeare and his works) while in the city.