[GaliWalker]

Peak bloom for the Washington DC's Cherry Blossoms was predicted to last from March 22-25 (Tuesday-Friday). I'd originally scheduled my trip for Thursday, but after looking at the weather forecast and webcam footage Monday morning, I made a snap decision to go the very next day. - Tuesday morning, I got up at 1:20am and was out of the house by 1:50am. - I reached my parking spot by 5:58am, a full 45min before I expected because I beat all the typically horrendous morning traffic. - I walked over to my first shooting location and waited for sunrise. One moment I'm standing there in the dark with absolutely no one around, and the next there are a stream of other people, who seemingly materialized out of thin air, leaning over my shoulder to see if they can capture my exact view. Such is life photographing Washington DC's Cherry Blossoms at festival time. - I took a walking tour around the tidal basin and the Washington Mall. In the middle of that I had 'lunch' around 10am at the Cali Burgers food truck, right behind the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. I had the "Cali Dog", which was simply amazing! The best hotdog I've ever had. - I provided a short interview to a German lady, working for some German network, on the Cherry Blossom Festival; "So, what's the deal with this place?" - There were lots of video cameras around, documenting the day. The crowd also included school children, some absolutely magnificent dogs (including one cutie being carried in a baby carrier!), beautifully dressed ladies (including quite a few in kimonos) and well dressed couples with professional photographers, other photographers like me, joggers, etc. It was all very festive. I kept my mask handy and would slip it on as needed. - After checking out the Washington Mall I returned to the tidal basin for some more photography. I thought about staying for the sunset, but decided that I wouldn't be able to last on the drive back, that late in the day. So, I left around 2pm, and was back home in Pittsburgh by 6:15pm.

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