Easter morning sunrise, running, cherry blossoms and breakfast

It is peak Cherry Blossom time in DC so Rob and I concocted a plan to get up early this morning to get to the city for a run and a look at the blossoms before the huge crowds hit later in the day.  We got up around 0520, had a bit of coffee, walked the girls and headed out.  We were able to make it to the city without ANY traffic and we parked along the mall area between the Capitol and the Washington Monument.  The sun was just beginning to rise as we ran and we noticed a pretty good flow of people heading to the Lincoln Memorial.  As we got closer, we saw that an Easter morning sunrise service was about to start.  Things like this always get me right in the feels.  With all the anger and indifference in this world it is so very comforting to see so many strangers coming together to be with each other and God.  My heart was full as we watched.
We continued our run and made out way over to the tidal basin where the Cherry Blossoms are in peak bloom.  It was overcast this morning so the light was not what many photographers were hoping for but it was still beautiful.  We slowed to a walk because expecting to run around the tidal blossom after daylight during Cherry Blossom week is ridiculous.  We did see one couple trying and the woman was actually yelling "coming through!"  She is probably lucky she did not get pushed into the water.  That woman needs to learn to take the time to smell the cherry blossoms.   It was just lovely to enjoy such a beautiful morning with my husband.
After getting our fill of blossoms and people we decided to go to a place East of the Capitol called Jimmy T's.  Jimmy T's is a really small diner that is easy to miss if you do not know where it is.  They only take cash but the food and service are good.  We had hot coffee, pancakes and eggs.
After breakfast, it was time to head back to Lewis and Penny and Annie let us have it when we got back.  They were not at all happy that we had gone on an adventure without them.  Penny took all the hats and gloves that she could get and barked and fussed at us.  We gathered them up and took them for a hike in the woods.  Spoiled rotten dogs.

                                   THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT BEFORE SUNRISE

                                   SUNRISE SERVICES AT THE LINCOLN MEMORIAL

                                          TWO PEOPLE JUST SOAKING IT ALL IN

                       THE JEFFERSON MEMORIAL FROM ACROSS THE TIDAL BASIN

                                             

                                                                JUST BEAUTIFUL