In which I pass through a pocket wilderness tucked away inside a dense city scape.
The day before Thanksgiving; After a daylong downpour that drenched the D.C. area, Wednesday dawned breezy and cold…but sunny. One must ride. One must.
From Bethesda I cycled south on the Capital Crescent Trail. And it seemed to take no time at all for glass towers and high-rises to give way to fall-kissed woods.
The Capital Crescent took me to Georgetown on the banks of the Potomac. And then the real fun began.
From the National Park Service: Rock Creek Park is truly a gem in our nation’s capital. This 1,754 acre city park was officially authorized in 1890, making it the third national park to be designated by the federal government. It offers visitors the opportunity to escape the bustle of the city and find a peaceful refuge, recreation, fresh air, majestic trees, wild animals, and thousands of years of human history.
This asphalt trail is one of the most popular trails in the Washington metro area. A recent extension of the trail south to Beach Drive allows users to continue into the District of Columbia where the National Park Service closes Beach Drive to automobiles on weekends and holidays.
But despite heavy use of the Rock Creek Trail by walkers, runners, cyclists and others it is not difficult to suddenly stumble upon places where one can momentarily experience splendid isolation.
Central Park feels positively manicured compared to “Herring Highway.”
This may be the only place in metro D.C. where the sound of cascading water drowns out the noise of constant traffic.
Oh, and you can get a side of history with your wilderness entree.
I came. I saw. I rode on.
I recommend you do too if the opportunity to ride through Rock Creek presents itself.
FreeGNV 