Mount Vernon Trail at Gravelly Point

Last week we took a ride down the GW Parkway to find a place for a morning walk. We had been past this area so many times in our thirteen years living on Capitol Hill but we never stopped in. We like to change up locations for walking and Gravelly Point seemed like a good place to try. It’s always crowded because it is next to Reagan airport. Everyone likes to watch the planes landing and taking off. We immediately got on the Mount Vernon Trail and began walking in the direction toward the Navy/Marine memorial, Pentagon, and Roosevelt Island. Along the Potomac River we heard and saw both a freight train and metro off in the distance. Soon we would be standing under the railroad tracks and the freeway bridge that we have driven across millions of times. It’s amazing how rusty the railroad bridge was, and of course, plenty of graffiti to go along with it. All the DC landmarks were in full view - the Capitol, Jefferson Memorial and Washington Monument. There were too many bikers for my taste and probably a good reason not to walk that way very often. At this time of year we will probably head in to town and walk in our old footsteps. During the summer it’s just too hot and we prefer the shade of the trees in our local park. I’m glad we checked the area out, but it’s not one of our favorites. 

Navy and Marine Memorial

This week we took a ride along the GW Parkway for a change of scenery for our morning walk. Rather than stroll in the park by our house or around the neighborhood, Gravelly Point was our destination. We drove by it many times when we lived in DC for thirteen years. The park is right next to Reagan Airport and has a bike/walking path that goes all the way to Mount Vernon in one direction and to Roosevelt Island in the other direction. And there is a spot to watch the planes land and take off over the parking lot. After walking along the path for almost two miles we came upon the Navy Marine Memorial. I’ve seen it a million times when we turned on to the parkway from I-395 and was never sure what it was. Before getting there we crossed over a bridge where you can see the Johnson Memorial, boat marina, and Pentagon located across the street. There were willow trees and the Washington monument in the background along the Potomac River. The memorial’s waves and seagulls represent our love for the water, and memorializes all who use or have been lost at sea - through commerce, war, or any purpose one uses the water. We were between seasons because the flowers were scant and we were the only people near it, aside from the fewcbikers who passed through. There are a lot of interesting sights along the parkway. It was about time we saw this one.