Pizza and Planes at Gravelly Point

We have not been to Old Town Alexandria since this uncomfortable heat wave hit at least two weeks ago. We have been taking our morning walk in the neighborhood park along the path that is covered in shade by the trees above. We thought this morning would be cooler - but it actually wasn’t. So we took a ride anyway - but more importantly to order from Vaso’s Kitchen. It’s a place we used to frequent when we lived on Capitol Hill. Now we always order pick up pizza, spanakopita, and chicken kabob after we walk along the Potomac River waterfront. Then we drive over to gravelly point and have a sort of picnic. This place is located right next to Reagan airport. Even though it was quite hot, we survived sitting in the car with the windows rolled down. We each had two pieces of pizza. All the while the planes are taking off above our head. On the way out you always know where you are because the Washington Monument guides you along the George Washington Memorial Parkway toward home. It was nice to get a break from our routine at home and take in the sights - and have pizza for lunch. 

Vaso’s Kitchen and Gravelly Point

It’s always a treat to drive to Old Town Alexandria. We have been visiting there since before we moved to DC seventeen years ago! When we lived on Capitol Hill We frequented the city for lunch at least twice a month. Now that we live in northern Virginia we drive in for a morning walk at least once a month. I oftentimes find a scene for the weekly photo challenge that I belong to. And oftentimes after we take our walk, we sit on the bench facing the Potomac River and order pick up from Vaso’s Kitchen. Then we drive over to the restaurant for the Greek pizza and chicken kabob and head to Gravelly Point. Then we park in the parking lot that is located next to Reagan airport, watch the planes take off and land and have a picnic of sorts. We always have half of the pizza and save the kabob for dinner. It’s usually pretty crowded there regardless of the time of year. We once walked along the trails there but I don’t care to walk on the same path as the bikes. But the views are great. You can see the Capitol building across the way. Since we rarely go anywhere anymore it’s a nice way to spend part of the day. It feels like being on a mini vacation. And for the first time this week it was finally warmer and sunny. Who could ask for anything more?

Gravelly Point Picnic

It was a beautiful day and it may just become a habit. We decided a ride to Vaso’s Kitchen in Alexandria would be a great idea to pick up dinner. But we would also order a small Greek pizza to take on a “picnic” at Gravelly Point on our way home. And that’s just what we did. Now we didn’t have to think about what’s for dinner and would get a chance to stop and watch the airplanes take off from Reagan airport, along the Potomac River. We brought along our soda and napkins and enjoyed the afternoon treat inside the car in the parking lot facing the airport. The pizza was gone in short order, but we stayed a while to observe the aircraft. The place is always busy with bike riders and walkers, fishing people, boaters and picnickers. And of course the pigeons that would take off and fly around every time a plane flew over. It’s a pleasant enough spot to hang out and this is the second time in as many months. The car windows were open, the breeze came through, we ate pizza, and looked around. Across the Potomac River you can see the Capitol building - where we lived for thirteen years on Capitol Hill. When we drove back to northern Virginia we passed by the Washington monument like we have done so many times before. It was a very pleasant afternoon. It just doesn’t take much anymore. 

Vaso’s Kitchen and Gravelly Point

We decided to do something different today. After our morning walk in the neighborhood we took a drive to cool down. On the way home we looked up Vaso’s Kitchen website - a favorite Alexandria restaurant - and ordered a Greek pizza, avgolemono soup, spanikotiropita, and chicken souvlaki for pick up. On the drive over to get it, we stopped by the house and got a soda. We would need it for when we stopped at Gravelly Point on the way back home to have an unexpected lunch date. Since there was more than enough food for lunch and dinner, we thought the pizza would be great and easy to feast on while we watched the planes take off from Reagan airport along the Potomac River. There were a lot of cars, and a lot of geese. There were even more pigeons and crows waiting for handouts. The whole time we were having lunch a few planes landed, but none took off until we were headed for the exit. It hardly mattered because even in the ninety degree heat it was tolerable under the cloudy skies to do something different. And it felt good. 

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.