Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Winter Walk in DC

Twas a gorgeous winter day in D.C. today, the kind I love to head outside and absolutely wear myself out in. And so I did, as I walked and explored the Capital Crescent Trail from Bethesda to the Potomac near Chain Bridge, and on into Georgetown. I hiked about 7-8 miles and intended to do more. But I dawdled in places and time got away from me as the winter sun went down. Still every little bit helped in restoring my 'sanguinity,' equanimity and fresh air quotient. And talk about a great winter night's sleep tonight......my eyelids are already getting heavier, heavier, heavier...

Above, center, boathouse on the Potamac, and directly above is Bethesda Avenue near Barnes and Noble. There's another leg to this trail that goes from Bethesda east to the hamlet of Silver Spring, MD, but as yet, I haven't walked it.

12 comments:

Unknown said...

Am I allowed to be jeoulous Web? Sounds wonderful! We've had such heat here. I'm ready for a small doze of cold weather, small dose, mind you! Enjoy and sleep well!

Webutante said...

Understood, Pam. Small dose. I guess we both need to avoid Alaska right now with its -50 degree weather....

Anonymous said...

Check out the W&OD trail in northern Virginia. It starts in Arlington (what Joe McCain famously called "Communist Country" - and also the site of his older brother's national campaign HQ) and runs through Fairfax County into Loudoun County and beyond. It's the old Washington & Old Dominion train line that was redeveloped into a 45 mile long horeseback riding biking/hiking/running/inline skating trail. Plus, out where we are (not "real Virginia" according to our neighbor, Oakton resident and McCain spokesperson Nancy Pfoetenhauer) there are off road trails like the CCT (Cross County Trails) that take you along Difficult Run.

http://www.wodfriends.org/index.html
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/cct/

Webutante said...

Thanks, Vienna, I've always wanted to explore that trail over there and hope to one day soon. The beauty of CCT is I don't have to even get in my car to access it and can run back by for lunch. But I appreciate the suggestion very much. Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

Happy 2009 to you and yours as well...maybe we'll cross paths on the trails one day!

Webutante said...

That would be fun, Vienna. Let me know if you'd like to show me the trailheads over there sometimes....

Anonymous said...

I don't know Web...could you spend an afternoon hiking along Difficult Run with a communist like me? We'd have some interesting conversations for sure!! :)

I'm especially drawn to the CCT - the Cub Scout den I lead worked on a special award this fall ("Leave No Trace") and our service project was cleaning up trash along that trail. Our group of 25 parents and scouts was personally thanked by everyone using the trail that day for our good works. Unfortunately, we ended up with about 6 outdoor sized garbage bags full of trash. I fail to understand why people don't take better care of the beauty around them.

I took my sons out for a 3 mile hike on the 26th and thought I should get the scouts out again to clean a different part of the trail. I know I need to work off all the Christmas cookies I've consumed since about December 1st....

mRed said...

One of my favorite places is the small area near the Key Bridge (on the boathouse side) where one can see what is left of the old viaduct bridge from the 1800's. I've photographed and penciled there many times.

Have a great New Year Web!

Webutante said...

First, what a terrific community service project for you and your cubs to do. There are always sadly going to be people who throw trash....and thankfully always a few who will pick it up.

As to walking with a "commie like you," we could pretend we're making a fast break from the gulag!

Seriously, V, I think slugging it out here on Webutante is enough. Walking opens other topics less controversial. At some point I want to tell you about my toys for kids donations to kids of the Tennessee National Guard before Christmas. It was great fun for me and certainly appreciated by them.

Anonymous said...

Thanks, mRed, and you also!

Anonymous said...

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to slug it out. I haven't commented much lately what with life being busy at this time of the year. It's your blog, and your right to wax nostalgic for ole' Dick Cheney and gag over the thought of Caroline Kennedy in the Senate. My $.02 is probably best left floating around in my head.

I think you'd be suprised to meet me "in real life". My circle of friends fall all over the political spectrum. One of my closest friends - an extremely enthusiastic Sarah Palin fan - put it this way: We all want what's best for the country, we just disagree on how to get there. I think that sums up how I view things.

Anonymous said...

Your .02 cents worth is welcome here.

I have no doubt that we would like each other in person.

Let me know if you want to do a walk on either side of the Potomac. I am just a couple of blocks from Sibley Hospital and close to CCT and Chain Bridge.

Happy 2009, Vienna.