The Cherry Trees In DC

As I was waking up yesterday, before breakfast but after coffee, I was looking up local parks trying to think of a neat activity photo adventure for my last day off. I work 4 days on and 4 off, and today is my first day back at work. So, I'm not sure how many opportunities will arise to do activities over the next four days. Something about 12hr shifts makes that difficult to do. However, now that I am getting more active in such a fun way, I am actually wanting to go jogging and get some exercise. Apparently I DO respond to danging carrots. My plan is working. :-)

Anyway, so as I was sitting at my computer, QB hollered from upstairs that we needed to leave the house for DC in 30min! Apparently he had to do an emergency hard drive replacement for a client just off Dupont Circle. I was excited because I figured I would have some great opportunities for some interesting photos. I threw some some comfy clothes, and since we were in a rush, I had to eat my breakfast oatmeal on the go.

Flash forward to after I dropped off QB. By then it was around 4:30pm, and it took me about 15 min to find a parking spot. Not bad considering it is DC. I started to walk the 4-5 blocks to where QB was and figured I would meet him when we got done, and we could walk around. He was done rather quick, so he actually met me half way to where I left him. I only took a few pictures of the Dupont area, and didn't get much exercise - but that was because my scheming mind had a plan. I remembered what DC is famous for this time of year, so we now had a new quest.

The National Cherry Blossom Festival.

We had to run -what we thought would be- a quick errand, which took us north and away from the cherry trees, but we figured we had plenty of time. QB and I still haven't quite learned how bad traffic can get in DC around rush hour. By the time we turned back after our errand, we were feeling a bit pressed for time, and realized the sun was setting fast. I was afraid I would miss the cherry trees. As soon as we got close to the mall area, coming from "F" street I think, I got out the the car to walk/jog because traffic was so bad.

However, it was getting dark quick, so I realized that if I wanted any chance to take some cherry tree pictures that I would need to jog. So, I jogged at a fairly quick pace from the red dot to the pinkish area where the first of the cherry trees were. The dark was coming so fast that I felt a little guilty for stopping to take a couple of neat Washington Monument pics on the way. I did manage to get some cherry tree pics, but I didn't get a change to take all that I wanted. The dark came to quickly for me to get any pics by the water. Sigh. However, if I had not gotten out when I did and jogged, I would have gone home empty handed. Traffic was so bad for QB, as he drove down 15th street,  after I took what pics I could, I had to walk back up to the intersection of 15th and Madison and wait for him to drive another 1.5 blocks. Damn.

I ended up jogging about 1/2 mile, and probably walked at least 1 more between Dupont Circle and the rest of the cherry tree area. Remember, I am not trying to get in massive mileage since I am on CR. I am just trying to get some activity and fresh air. I'm glad I got *some* pics. I had to play around with them some and even get a little artsy because the light was just not there for ideal images. I'll put my favorites up first, then some just to show the area more. I may add some pics to this post later this evening, but I haven't decided yet. Enjoy!