We started with a stroll to Roosevelt Island. I'd never been there before, but it was quite lovely despite the lack of leaves. I'll have to go back when it's green again. Tree of the day: bald cypress, which I was able to identify despite its lack of foliage by the knees in the dried up wetlands. I first saw this tree when driving through the Inner Banks of the Carolinas en route to a geography conference in Charleston during senior year of college. Because of that, I was surprised to see this tree so far north, but it turns out its native range is from the Delaware Bay to the Gulf of Mexico. So cool (or dorky, whatever, but I'm excited about it)!
After a loop of Roosevelt Island, we walked over the Key Bridge into Georgetown down a busy street. After a few blocks, we cut down a side street, which was surprisingly silent in comparison, crossing the C & O canal (which we have vowed to bike some of together sometime) and walking along the Potomac for a while.
The main attraction that our hike was based on was an India exhibit at the Kennedy Center that was supposed to be opening yesterday. We got there and found that aside from a few beautiful saris on display, the exhibit was still being set up and there was very little to see. However, I did learn that saris are six yards long (apparently quite a lot of which is just folded up to form pleats at the bottom-- Becky has experience in this department from her time in Peace Corps and her world traveling thereafter). We sat on the roof and enjoyed the sun for a while, ate lunch, and continued on our way.
We kept walking along the waterfront, passing behind the Lincoln Memorial and walking over the Arlington Bridge. We walked through the cemetery (while jogging is prohibited out of respect, apparently it's ok to just stroll through... it is kind of a strange feeling to have this sacred burial space being so open to the public as a park). I thought about our last living WWI vet's passing earlier this week. He'll be buried at Arlington with so many who have gone before him. It's amazing how history just rolls on. Becky showed me that on the back of one of the headstones toward the end of the cemetery was a plaque-- he was one of the men who raised the flag at Iwo Jima. We would cross the street and walk near the Marine Corps Memorial next on our way back to her lovely home.
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Beautiful day, over 7.5 miles of excellent walking. Back at Becky's place, we spent some time looking through her gorgeous photos of India and hanging out with her husband Dana. So wonderful.
After a while I went on to meet a few college friends at 51st State for happy hour. I was exhausted but it's always great to see everyone. It was also funny to take the Metro to the same area I'd walked earlier. Beer of the day: 51st State's Amber Ale.
Good day, good company, good weather, good night's sleep.
7.5 miles!? I had no idea. It all looks so close. Now we just have to run it to prep you for Muddy Buddy! Thank you for a perfect day off.
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