It’s spring break in these parts. Families are on the road — or if not, they’re putting together a crazy patchwork quilt of daycare options to make it through the next five days.

I’m staying put but paying attention. I’m braking for spring.

On Thursday, I parked at the W&OD to hike the trail to Meadowlark Gardens, bursting with bloom, where I snapped the shot you see above.

On Saturday I caught these weeping cherries at Lake Anne’s Van Gogh Bridge, part of a walk from Reston Town Center, where I dropped off my library books, to Lake Anne. It’s a favorite stroll, especially this time of year.

Still on my early spring to-see list: the Bradford pears and daffodils in Franklin Farm, which I hope to visit today.

All of these sights are best seen — and some are only seen — when I stop the car, get out and take a walk. When I brake for spring.