Roosevelt Island Path

We like to visit Roosevelt island every few months. It’s a hidden gem in an unexpected place in the Potomac River - across from Georgetown, the Kennedy center, and Arlington. We always go during the week because on weekends the parking lot is packed. We always take the bridge across and walk around the island to see what has changed from season to season. Lately, before heading back to the car, we’ve been taking the foot path the takes you to either Washington or Mount Vernon. Because it is a bike path I don’t like it as much. So we stay on the left side to avoid getting hit. Either path takes you under the Roosevelt Bridge, which is undergoing some repair work. It makes for interesting views to see the underbelly of these structures. And along the way is the Potomac River and all it has to offer. We usually put on about two miles for a morning walk. This additional bit gets us to that mark. My husband really likes this destination - which is why we like to visit. 

Chalk Comments on the Path in the Park

Someone was trying to get someone else motivated and energized. We drove over to the park this morning to dispose of the glass bottles at the recycle dumpster, then continued on our morning walk. As we started down the usual path I began to notice chalk messages - arrows, turn to the right.... some of them were harder to read than others. The messages weren’t there yesterday and it hadn’t rained, but the idea and the attempt to make the walking path a bit more interesting should be congratulated. Yesterday we saw three deer - one buck in the rear - wandering along the stream. Today we saw the encouraging words of a female youngster spurring on her friends or perhaps unknowns to find their way along the winding walk. Perhaps it was a challenge or just something to just keep busy. The pink, blue and yellow letters seemed a bit out of place among the fallen leaves and rustic surroundings. It’s more like something you would see in a suburban or urban neighborhood. It’s funny to see things re-emerge from the 50’s and 50’s - board games, jigsaw puzzles, home cooked meals. Here’s another example of staying active. Not such a bad idea. 

A Walk in the Woods Here and There

We visited with our family over the weekend. They live about four hours away. Having lived in DC for the last thirteen years, it’s a treat to head southwest. Once we pass Charlottesville, things change to a more rural environment. We thought about moving to this area but decided we needed to be closer to the city - although the only reason we go there lately is for doctor, dental and haircut appointments and the occasional Library of Congress program. We are not for the “great outdoors” - hiking, camping, fishing, canoeing and all that are not on our radar screen. Copperheads, bear, and other wild creatures are only good to read about. But once in a while it’s a nice reminder to explore nature - during the day time. There, it’s down by the Janes River. Here, it’s the Central Park that is just a couple of blocks from our house. It feels like the wilderness, but still in the city - more my style! It seems so strange to us because we just aren’t used to it. I do like watching the birds and observing the seasons as they change. It’s also a great photo opportunity. Leaving the big city for northern Virginia wasn’t a difficult decision for me. Being close enough to it, and the wilderness feels just right.