The Smithsonian Kite Festival

Ms. Smith and I ventured out to the Smithsonian Kite Festival on Saturday and also took a stroll around the tidal basin to check out the blooming cherry blossoms. I wasn't prepared for the number of people out on the mall partaking in all of the festivities. I saw some photos from the event last year that made it look like a hundred or so people flying kites near the Washington Monument, but they were a bit misleading. The mall was packed all the way from the Capitol down to the Lincoln Memorial. The weather outside was ideal - sunny, but not hot due the the constant winds.

Going home, the crowds home were a bit out of control. Metro was directing everyone into the back end of the Smithsonian Metro entrance and as you can see from the bottom photo, it was like herding cattle.