This marks the 3rd year in a row that I've ventured into DC for the sole purpose of admiring the pretty cherry blossoms. That's quite a feat for me, I tell ya, to which I have my visiting out-of-town cousins to thank for.

We went on the Saturday during peak bloom weekend. It also happened to be the day of the parade and street festival. Oh my gosh, the crowds! Note to self: the years when the National Park Service predicts the peak bloom dates correctly are when the locals should visit on weekdays to avoid being packed like sardines.