We thought about going to see the famous Japanese cherry blossoms at the Tidal Basin on Saturday, but peak bloom is Monday and already the place was literally packed, with parking nonexistent, streets near the Mall gridlocked and bridges to Virginia (from where there’s a view) jammed. So we decided to go instead to the National Arboretum to see their large collection of cherry trees as well as their magnolias, both of which were in full bloom. It may not have been as spectacular as the Tidal Basin, but it certainly was a lot more peaceful, and beautiful as well.