Washington, DC (USA)

Woke up very early for some reason this morning (0530)... Decided not to waste the forecasted warm day and left around 0730 - bound for an island in the middle of the Potomac River. Drove up Van Dorn and then got on I-495 to access US-1. Once in Alexandria, drove over to Washington Street - there wasn't any traffic, but the lights still made me wait... Got on George Washington Parkway and drove along the river for a while - stopped at Gravelly Point (boat ramp, near approach end of Reagan Airport runway). All along the way, I saw lots of joggers and bikers on the Mount Vernon Trail (looks like something the kids would enjoy...). Finally stopped the car at the parking area for the Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial. Walked across the pedestrian bridge and then found a pretty plaza area where there was a big statue of the President. Behind him, there were four obelisks with words of wisdom (from Teddy) on them: Nature, Manhood, Youth, The State. I was struck by how important the statements were - and applicable to today's world (perhaps the best was "If I must choose between righteousness and peace, I choose righteousness"). I enjoyed the pleasant weather (it was just right at 0800...). Ended up walking around the island - and I only saw a few joggers. Still, the park was much more urban than Mason Neck - and many aircraft on arrival to Reagan Airport flew over. The views were good, though, and I got to see some of the same things I saw with Carolyn last month (Kennedy Center, Georgetown, etc.) from a boardwalk through a river swamp. It was all very pretty. Left the park around 0945 and drove up towards the Key Bridge to turn around. Reversed my tracks to get back to US-1 and Kings Highway. Stopped for gas and grocery shopping before heading home.