ANOTHER MONUMENTAL JOURNEY BEGINS TODAY

Today we leave on another adventure, which includes two river cruises and a train journey from Toronto to Vancouver.  During the Spring we usually find ourselves somewhere in Japan for the sakura blossoming.  The peak this year will be from the end of March to early April.  This time, we will see cherry blossoms virtually all across the USA and Canada, and, surprisingly enough, our timing is good.

I spent three years working for the U.S. Senate in DC, and had memorable Sakura viewings.  Cherry blossoms are now blooming there, with a peak expected to be from the end of this month to early April.  The top three sites in the USA, according to Google AI, are the Tidal Basin in DC, Macon-Georgia and the University of Washington Quad in Seattle.

First stop, Las Vegas.  And amazingly enough, Google AI mentions three locations.

• Gardens Park (Summerlin): Located at 10401 Garden Park Dr, this park features real cherry trees that bloom, offering a peaceful, natural setting for viewing in March.

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  Bellagio Conservatory & Botanical Gardens (Strip): The Conservatory features a Japanese-themed spring display featuring around eight cherry trees, with bright pink and white blossoms, typically lasting through early June.
• Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den (Resorts World): Known to feature special decorations for the cherry blossom season. 

We were last in Las Vegas three years ago.  Stayed at the relatively new Circa.  Posh and high tech, with the largest sportsbook in the world:  three stories, 1000-people capacity, with a 78-million-pixel screen spanning two floors.

Interestingly enough, we did not like this hotel for it was too modern.  For example, no room phones.  Instead an iPad.  You need to use your own smart phone.  Plus, getting on their elevators was a challenge.  So we are this time staying at the the refurbished Golden Nugget across the way from the Circa,  facing the Fremont Street Experience.

Well, we're not quite in Vegas yet, but I also want to indicate that all our stops on this trip could well also feature cherry blossoms, courtesy of Google AI:

• Denver:  Cherry blossoms in Denver typically bloom from late March through mid-April. Key viewing spots include the Cherry Creek neighborhood and biking path, Speer Boulevard, Denver Botanic Gardens (York Street), and Washington Park. The annual Colorado Cherry Blossom Festival is another highlight. 
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  Cherry blossoms in Memphis can be best seen at the Memphis Botanic Garden, particularly around their Yoshino cherry trees in March. The 96-acre garden features numerous blooming trees, often highlighted by a Cherry Blossom Picnic. Another popular spot for viewing these trees is along Cherry Road.  

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  We then catch an American River Cruise:  Cherry blossoms along the Mississippi River, between Memphis and New Orleans, can be seen in early spring, with peak blooms often occurring in March, particularly in Memphis and North Mississippi. Key viewing spots include the Memphis Botanic Garden, specific sites in Tupelo, and locations in Louisiana.
• Cherry blossoms in New Orleans typically bloom in February and March.  Prime viewing spots include the New Orleans Botanical Garden in City Park, Audubon Park, Tulane University campus, and in the cemeteries, such as Metairie Cemetery. Taiwan flowering cherry trees can also be found in local gardens.
• New York City:  Cherry blossoms in NYC can be seen from late March through early May 2026, with peak bloom usually arriving in early to mid-April. Top, iconic spots include the Brooklyn Botanic Garden's Cherry Esplanade, Central Park (Reservoir & Cherry Hill), and Roosevelt Island's waterfront. Early blooms (Okame) start in late March, while later, fluffier pink flowers (Kwanzan) last into May. 

• In Manhattan, we board a Viking cruise to Toronto, getting there on April 26.  
  
  Cherry blossoms in Toronto typically bloom in late April to early May, with the most popular spot being High Park (over 1,500 trees). Other top, less-crowded locations include Centennial Park, Trinity Bellwoods Park, University of Toronto (Robarts Library), Exhibition Place, and Birkdale Ravine
  
  University of Toronto (Robarts Library), Exhibition Place, and Birkdale Ravine

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  We leave Toronto on April 29 to catch the Canadian VIA Rail to Banff, where we also spend a couple of days at Lake Louis.  Transfer to the Rocky Mountaineer train to Vancouver, arriving on May 7:  Cherry blossoms in Vancouver can be seen from early March to late April, with peak bloom typically in late March to mid-April. Top viewing spots include David Lam Park, Queen Elizabeth Park, Stanley Park, VanDusen Botanical Garden, and residential areas like Graveley Street.

We fly back to Honolulu on May 10.

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