This famous saying seemed so much more popular and prevalent when I was growing up than it seems to be today, which is a bit ironic given that it likely applies much more today than when we were kids.

Whether it was the grandma saying it to her grandkids or muttered in a sarcastic tone while Elmer Fudd was being schooled by Bugs Bunny, the general feeling behind the sentiment is pretty straight forward. Life is full of amazing things, and if you're going 100mph all the time, you're going to miss a lot of those things you'd otherwise appreciate.

Today, in the digital age of multitasking smartphones and the 24x7 connection to social media, the worldwide collective have given rise to new terms meant to embrace the idea of stopping to smell the roses for the latest generation. Unfortunately, #YOLO and the likes sorely miss the point of the statement by focusing far more on the rush of the experience than the ability to slow down and appreciate it.

Wendy and I are quite guilty of falling into this trap in our "do more with less" society. We work on the house, we work on the blog, we work on our jobs, we even work on ourselves. Before we know it, we've spent so much time working on things that we've not taken the necessary pause to actually appreciate all of those lovely smelling proverbial roses we've been sprinting past at top speed without even a whiff of their lovely scent.

This is precisely why I needed to remind myself to take just a second and enjoy what has been going on the last few days. Rather than stopping to smell some roses, I decided to take a detour on the way to work this morning to gaze at some cherry blossoms.

This week is actually one of my favorite times of the year in our area. It's the height of the cherry blossom bloom that we've waited through a cold and long winter to experience. The only problem, I've been sick for the last several days, completely unable to even think about stopping and smelling/seeing the blossoms. Now that I'm well enough to actually leave our house and venture back into the office, I decided its a pretty great time to wake up just a little bit earlier and wander around the tidal basin on the way into work.

I didn't have that picture perfect blue sky morning that I've had in previous years, but this year had a certain level of comfort and calm. There was hardly a breeze, the temperature was perfect, and the crowd wasn't too thick. It's hard to think that we'll be in oppressively hot heat in just six or so weeks, but that doesn't really matter right now.

The blooms seem to have almost exploded over night, each tree like a warm pink cotton ball dotting the perimeter of the tidal basin and coastline of the Potomac.

I made sure to just wander and enjoy the moment that seems to quickly come and go each and every year. I even made a quick stop at one of my favorite memorials, FDR's granite and water enclave on the south bank of the tidal basin.

I'll likely use this coming weekend to work on our bathroom, work on our blog, and get some work done that I missed this week, but I know one thing for sure, I'll definitely stop, at least once or twice, to smell the roses and enjoy where we live.

In the famous words of the scholar, Ferris Bueller, "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." Take it from the Sausage King of Chicago, he knows what he's talking about. Oh yeah, chicka chicka.

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This is what Peak Bloom looks like!

How beautiful it is!

Almost each and every year of the 12 springs we've lived in DC, I am completely floored by the wonders that are the Cherry Blossom blooms in and around the DC metro area.

I try to make time every year to venture down around the tidal basin, along the National Mall, and towards Haines Point to take in the spectacle and tradition of this wonderful gift from the Japanese some 100 plus years ago.

Last year I shared some of my favorite photos from my walk around the tidal basin, and this year I'd like to do the same, with a little twist.

The first many years of being a tourist in my own area I enjoyed what all of the tourists enjoy -- the cotton ball- and cotton candy-like blossoms that fill the area and announce the arrival of spring while framing some of our nation's best known monuments.

The lovely blossoms draw you in and are as interesting from afar...

...as they are up close.

But as I've ventured down year after year, I've been able to develop a different kind of appreciation for the blossoms and what they bring to our area. More specifically, I've been able to pick out those things that you don't notice as a first blush tourist. Items such as the annual return of my favorite warning sign.

One of my favorite aspects of the annual cherry blossom bloom period has actually become the people that are drawn to the area and the tremendous influx of tourists that arrive in the each spring, either from remote or local locations. We're talking everyone from just a few miles away to those that have travelled from as far as the other side of the globe, and they're all coming to catch a glimpse of these little pink petals and appreciate them in their own way.

More than a simple crush of tourists, one group of people these flowers draw are photographers from near and far, and all are primarily concerned with getting "the shot."

Apparently there's a rule of thumb with these blooms. If you see a beautiful sight, nicely framed shot, or postcard perfect view, turn around and you're bound to see a gaggle of photographers, many going to great lengths of laying down or standing on garbage cans, to get this same beautiful shot. This is one of the first things I saw as I reached the tidal basin across from the Jefferson Memorial.

How many photographers can you count in this photo? They all have their gear, their bags, and whatever else they need. This alone helps me realize what a wonderful thing I am seeing, if I somehow missed it on my own.

I realize I may sound hypocritical, since I was down there snapping photos along side of them, but I'm merely commenting as an observer that appreciates these dedicated tourists in search of that shot of something truly unique and inspiring. You'll find photographers of all ages, genders, and skill levels. 

Each one clamoring for "the shot" they can either sell to a horticulture magazine, use to wow their friends and family back home, or proudly refer to in the future under "the trip we took to see the Cherry Blossoms."

After all, these trees are world famous, and they have the paparazzi to prove it.

In addition to the photographers you see throughout the area, you often see artists working on their much slower to develop interpretation of the impressive scenes. They attract their fair share of photographers looking to capture them capturing their scene, primarily because it's such an impressive endeavor in this age of instant gratification.

I wonder how many facebook pages, blogs, or emails this artist will apear on over the next several days? While I was taking my photos at least a dozen other people were snapping shots. Some with zoom lenses from many yards away, while others with iPhones who happened to be in near violation of the artists' personal space.

Visitors are often very friendly and feel free to point you to the best place for a photo of a specific tree or scene, while others will walk and gawk at what they are seeing. When the weather is nice, the blooms are at their peak, and nobody really wants to get into work on time, the whole area fills up by 8:00am with photogs, joggers, cyclists, local workers, and area tourists, all out to enjoy what this wonderful collection of national parks have to offer.

I've been visiting so long and so often that I've even been able to establish my "favorite trees." I have three that I always single out. 

First, the little tree that could. This struggling little tree has been lopped off year after year and is beginning to look like the Sideshow Bob of the Cherry Blossom world, but he's still chugging along, popping out blooms from the most unlikely of places. I wasn't sure if he was going to flower after his latest round of amputations, but apparently the US Park Service's Cherry Blossom guys know what they're doing.

One of my absolute favorite trees around the basin is this gnarly old guy with his thick but splintered with age trunk. This is not nearly as much about the flowers as it is the character of the trunk itself, though the foliage is still breathtaking. Beaten and battered, perhaps, but nothing is going to stop this tree from putting on a show each year.

And my third favorite tree fits into a similar category to the previous. It's old and absolutely full of character in its hulking appearance and ability to provide a massive canopy for those beneath. I'm not sure why, but I'm particularly drawn to these older trees. The ones that could easily be great-great-grandfathers of the newer trees on the grounds, and they have all of the knots and bumps to prove it.

The final items I want to share from my trip are a few photos of a tidal basin regular. He's a basin fisherman that I see out there during my typical running months. The recent weather has been perfect for him, and he can often be spotted sitting on the southern bank of the tidal basin trying to reel in his next big catch.

He's a really nice guy who was happy to show off his catch of the day for all of us gawky onlookers (did you really think there were any fewer than four photographers taking his photo at any given time) to ooh and ahh at. Hey, it was an impressive catch for the tidal basin.

After showing one of my co-workers this photo he said, "It's days like today when I really wouldn't mind switching jobs with him."

All told, this year's experience was as good as all previous experiences. I was able to stroll my familiar loop and appreciate all the blooms and the people watching the blooms have to offer. It's a rare and special thing to live somewhere that is a dream or once-in-a-lifetime destination for many, so I will do my part to ensure I'm not one of those jaded locals that fails to soak in the various sights, sounds, and experiences the area has to offer. I hope you've enjoyed my virtual tour of the basin, and that the Cherry Blossoms through my eyes have made you smile.

Have you ever gone down to see the blooms during their peak? If not, is this on your bucket list? I know it is for many. If you're in the area, it's not too late. Today is another beautiful day and the blooms are still at their peak. It's hard to tell what tomorrow's storm will do as the petals are already beginning to fall with a stiff breeze. Hopefully they'll still be in good shape this weekend.

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Upon our arrival, we vowed to be more than just residents of the city, but to also enjoy the things and events that make Washington, DC and its metro area a tourist destination.

One of the annual traditions we have grown to love is the springtime bloom of the Japanese Cherry Blossoms around the tidal basin and National Mall.

Yesterday on my way to work, I played tourist in my own town. Rather than take my usual route, I hopped off the bus early for a slow stroll to take in the sights of this year's centennial bloom. I took a whole bunch of photos and want to share them, as well as some of my sightseeing tips, with you.

This year marks an extra special milestone in the tradition of this yearly bloom as it's the 100th anniversary of the gift of a number of cherry blossom trees from the Japanese Emperor.

April 9, 1928 - Japanese Ambassador and his family
Photo Credit: Bettmann/CORBIS

Prior to seeing it for the first time, I really didn't know what to expect. I thought, "Trees are trees and flowers are flowers, what's the big deal?" That thought fell by the wayside the first time I looked out over the tidal blossom while the trees were in their delicate "full bloom."

At their peak, the blossoms form a nearly consistent line around the rim of the tidal basin.

Resembling a mix of freshly spun cotton candy and a gently hued bag of cotton balls, the collection of trees rest on a backdrop of light green buds from the surrounding vegetation waiting for spring's arrival.

Some of the cherry blossoms are large, mature trees with gnarly haggered trunks that hoist their canopy up and over the gawkers and allow their flowers to spill gracefully into the water.

While others are new saplings, planted to fill a void or to replace a tree that had been damaged or had reached the end of its life.

Looking at one lone tree is beautiful...

...but the combination of hundreds in an unbreaking line brings me back year after year.

Through my years of trips to the Jefferson Memorial during this time of year, I've learned a few very useful tips that I will freely pass onto you.

Get there early. You'll rarely find a more consistently crowded event, but it seems like everyone comes out to see the blossoms after 11:00am. If you go in the morning, you'll be able to have a leisurely walk without competing with the big groups and tours. You'll also be able to bring your camera along and take some photos without someone standing in every single shot...pointing at a blossom.

Ok, so maybe that's just a friend of mine, but you get the idea.

Go off the beaten path. Though the trees surrounding the tidal basin and along the basin's walkway are some of the most plentiful and well trafficked, some of the most amazing trees are just beyond this area, and are often overlooked by most.

Take my favorite collection of trees, for example. 

Situated along the Potomac River in the shadow of the 14th St. Bridge, these trees are large, tall, and sweeping. 

Just a stones throw from the tidal basin, the grass is green, the trees unblemished, and the flowers hang over the ground looking closer to a weeping willow than your typical cherry blossom.

Respect the trees. All too often I see people climbing, hanging, pulling branches, picking blossoms, etc. The trees won't last forever, but we can all do our part to make them last as long as possible. The Park Service has placed a few friendly reminders to help us remember to be kind to this most delicate flowering tree.

Remember the other sights. The cherry blossoms are the main attraction for a few weeks, but there are a few great monuments all around them. While you're visiting the trees and taking in all of their beautiful blooms, don't forget to stop by the various monuments that you pass along the way. From the new Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial to the Jefferson Memorial, there are several wonderful things to see all around the tidal basin and in the adjacent areas.

Pay attention to the weather. If you see a nice day near or during peak bloom, take advantage of it. The blossoms are fragile, and if a rain or wind storm comes through during an evening, there's a good change a lot of the blossom petals will end up on the ground before you get to see them. If you have a sunny day that's a little on the cool side, be sure to wear warmer clothes. Since you are next to water and the Potomac, the temperature around the tidal basin tends to be a few degrees cooler.

Where to park. Oh, the subject of elusive parking. Parking around the tidal basin is very limited. There are a few small lots off of Ohio Drive, but these fill up rather quickly. The street parking along the Potomac gets packed too. When we drive down, it's typically during a weekend period, and we like to park along the 10th-13th Street area by the USDA building. This area usually has some metered parking available, and the walk to the tidal basin from this location really isn't that far.

The peak bloom period of the cherry blossoms is currently underway right now, so if you're nearby, or can make a short trip to DC during the week, it's the best time to see some of these beautiful blooms. 

If you do make it down, here are my four favorite spots to wander.

1. The inlet of the tidal basin on Ohio Drive and the Potomac River
2. Just south of Independence Avenue and north of the tidal basin
3. Around the Lincoln Memorial
4. Just northeast of the Washington Monument in the small cherry blossom grove near Constitution Avenue

There are several other spots all around the area. Some are lesser known and have far fewer people around them. For a complete list, see the Parks Service Cherry Blossom Guide.

For more information on the festival, as well as updates on the events and peak bloom period, be sure to see the official National Cherry Blossom Festival website.

I hope you've enjoyed my photos, and I really hope the tips I've provided will prove quite useful if you're taking a trip down to see the blooms. If you have any good tips or viewing spots you particularly enjoy, or just a story about your trip to see the Cherry Blossoms, be sure to share them with us. Though we've been going for 12 years, I know we've not seen all there is to see.

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