Pretty in Pink, Part 2

Many of you know that I live very near Washington, DC, the cherry blossom capitol of the Western world. Every spring hordes of tourists swarm the Tidal Basin near the monuments to view the cherry blossoms. There are some righteous traffic jams that can last 4+ hours and it's actually a fairly miserable venue: swarms of tourists, no parking and no bathrooms.

BUT, right in my own neighborhood is a display that eclipses anything on the official tourista radar. Decades ago, homeowners in the Kenwood section of Bethesda planted hundreds of cherry trees along their streets. When they are in bloom it's like being in the middle of a pink cloud. It's gotten quite popular among the locals but it's still a secret to the rest of the world.

Nature lover Ms. Alpha has been awaiting the peak blooming season for months. That's because she took me last spring when I was a pup, a mere slip of my manly self. We went this morning despite cold temps and clouds. Cherry blossoms are elusive and you need to get 'em while they're in all their glory.

The cherry blossom canopy envelops the streets.

Last year we posed. Look how little I was! 

It's a good thing, 'cause I had a mighty head to grow into.

My ears stick out like satellite dishes.

Ms. Alpha is assuring me that this 

photo shoot won't take long.

For whatever reason, it was decided 

I should pose like a monument.

Don't I look noble?

Under the blossom canopy!

I love sitting in her lap.

This is tremendously dorky and

I think we look like American Gothic.

Can Ms. Alpha look any prouder of me?

Oh! But what's that I spy on the ground?

Oooh....a squirrel!

This photo shoot is officially O V E R !

Oh, and let me warn you....all sorts of things are starting to bloom and I have a feeling I will be posed again. Just call me a garden gnome.