The hotel prices are so high?  Are there conventions, congress in session (I know when they are the hotels are super expensive)....

The Tea Party is having a convention this week. This is from the Washington Times
"They’re called the Operation American Spring — and they’re vowing to oust the likes of Mr. Obama, Mr. Boehner, Attorney General Eric Holder, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Sen. Mitch McConnell, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Joseph R. Biden, Raw Story reported."

Priceline's prices were through the roof as well.

Cuz Priceline is usually really great with their prices...

...and the following week will not be any better.  Colleges in the area are holding commencement, and it's Memorial Day weekend!  

Law Enforcement officers killed in the line of duty during the year are honored with various activities this week.

This month has been particularly awful. A couple of nights everything in the city and nearby areas (including BWI) was fully booked and I found myself in middle-of-nowhere Gaithersburg as the closest area to DC. DC isn't alone though, other cities seem to have caught "spring fever" as well. Good luck!