C&O-Day 6

Had Will and I done the C&O we would have rolled into DC yesterday after a 55 mile ride and then returned our rental bikes today. And, at least we were able to do the bike return part today, but let me back up a bit.

I got up early and walked a couple blocks over to the Eastern Market for their blueberry buckwheat pancakes and a coffee. Will swung by after the gym, and we walked back to his place. Then we manhandled the bikes down four flights of stairs for the last time and started the 7 mile ride over to Big Wheel Bikes in Arlington. We took our usual route down along the Mall to the Potomac, then over to Georgetown. We crossed the Francis Scott Key Bridge like we did yesterday, and then another mile to the bike shop. After we checked them in, Will and I walked to the Metro and took the train back to his place.

I ran over to my AirB&B and changed into hiking clothes for our hike at Rock Creek Park which was our next adventure. As soon as I got back to Will’s, he and Sinclair and I walked over to the Metro and caught the train out to Rock Creek.

Rock Creek Park is administered by the NPS. It was created in 1890 and is the third National Park created by congress. Encompassing 1,754 acres of woodland along the creek, it now sees 2-3 million visitors annually. From the metro we walked a few blocks and then took a trail down to the creek. For the next two hours we hiked through lush forest along this clear creek and its tributaries. We climbed ridges and descended back down, hiking first upstream then downstream and crossing the water several times. The 70 degree sunny day was perfect hiking weather.

Our trail finally brought us back to the street after 5 miles and 450 feet of elevation gain and loss. (Think up and down a 32 story building.) As luck would have it, there was a bakery nearby. We stopped for a late lunch, before boarding the Metro for home.

So, seven miles on the bike this morning and five miles of hiking over hilly terrain this afternoon. It has been a busy and interesting day. Tomorrow will be my last full day in DC and I will fly home Monday morning.

Until tomorrow, Happy Trails…