Spring has sprung in Washington DC as the city's cheery blossom trees are in full bloom.<br/> <br />The iconic white and pink buds draw crowds of onlookers to the Tidal Basin, a man made reservoir lined with thousands of the trees.<br/> <br />While onlookers crowded the the sidewalks, and rented paddleboats to see the trees... this police officer and his trusty horse had a bit of an advantage.<br/> <br />SOUNDBITE (English) MARK SHUETE, U.S. PARK POLICE, SAYING:<br/> <br />"We always have a good view from up here on horseback. I'm lucky that Custer takes me around the tidal base. It is a beautiful day and everything is in full bloom here."<br/> <br />In 1912, the Japanese government gave Washington 3000 Yoshino cheery trees as a gift-- and each year the National Cherry Blossom Festival commemorates Japanese-American ties.
