Theodore Roosevelt Island
Today was one of those beautiful sunny fall days that are the best in Washington, DC. Rain the previous day washed away the haze allowing an intense sun and bright blue sky. This would be a good day for a noontime hike on Roosevelt Island! Theodore Roosevelt Island in the Potomac is an natural preseve in the middle of the Washington urban area. It's not well known to visitors to the national capital and might be classified as one of Washington's best-kept secrets.
As this was to be a noontime hike, I drove to the island's parking lot off the Geroge Washington Parkway, parked the car, and put on my outdoor shoes. From there, I crossed the footbridge to the island itself. I first made my way to the Theodore Roosevelt memorial, commemorating the conservation-minded 26th President.
A deer suddely came out on the trail ahead of me. It stopped, raised its head, and then quickly dove into the bush. Wa;king a bit farther on, I could see the deer looking back at me from the thicket. I thought of a similar deer encounter a few years ago in Shenandoah National Park.
I reached a cul-de-sac marking the end of the Upland Trail and then set off on the Swamp Trail through the marshes of the island. This is more open territory and various birds and waterfowl can be seen inhabiting the wetlands. A great blue heron perched on a tree limb for me. Much larger "birds" are seen and heard, too, approaching Reagan National Airport, a reminder that you are in the city. The Swamp Trail ends at the US 50 Highway bridge linking Virginia and the District of Columbia. I had traversed the length of the island. The Woods Trail then took me back through, well, a woods, to the memorial grove and the end of a pleasant lunchtime outing. Aside from the picnicers, I encountered only about a dozen other walkers and joggers on the trails.
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