Walking Washington, D.C.: 30 treks to the newly revitalized capital’s cultural icons, natural spectacles, urban treasures, and hidden gems
Copyright © 2016 by Barbara J. Saffir
Project editor: Holly Cross; proofreader: Emily Beaumont; indexer: Ann Cassar
Cover and interior photos: copyright © by Barbara J. Saffir, except where noted
Author photo: copyright © by Steve Heap
Cartographer: Steve Jones
Original cover and interior design: Larry B. Van Dyke and Lisa Pletka
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Saffir, Barbara J.
Walking Washington, D.C.: 30 treks to the newly revitalized capital’s cultural icons, natural spectacles, urban treasures, and hidden gems/Barbara J. Saffir.
pages cm
Includes index.
ISBN 978-0-89997-765-2—ISBN 0-89997-765-0—ISBN 978-0-89997-766-9 (eISBN)
1. Washington (D.C.)—Guidebooks. 2. Walking—Washington (D.C.)—Guidebooks. I. Title.
F192.3.S228 2015
917.5304’44—dc23
2015008838
Manufactured in the United States of America
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| An imprint of Keen Communications, LLC | |
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| Birmingham, AL 35233 | |
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| wildernesspress.com |
Distributed by Publishers Group West
Cover photos: Front, clockwise from top left: Blue crabs at seafood market on Southwest Waterfront, The White House from Lafayette Park, Library of Congress, U.S. Capitol, Washington National Cathedral, Franciscan Monastery, aerial view of The National Mall. Back, top to bottom: Yards Park bridge, giant panda at Smithsonian National Zoological Park, Japanese stone lantern and cherry trees at Tidal Basin.
Frontispiece: Supreme Court (see Walk 23, Capitol Hill)
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, or by any means electronic, mechanical, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the publisher, except for brief quotations used in reviews.
SAFETY NOTICE Although Wilderness Press and the author have made every attempt to ensure that the information in this book is accurate at press time, they are not responsible for any loss, damage, injury, or inconvenience that may occur to anyone while using this book. You are responsible for your own safety and health while following the walking trips described here. Always check local conditions, know your own limitations, and consult a map.
DEDICATION
To the late and great David Broder. As “Dean of the Washington Press Corps” and my former boss at The Washington Post, he inspired me with his old-fashioned “shoe-leather” reporting and journalistic integrity.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Since I aimed to create a holistic guidebook rather than an ordinary tourist book—with a schmear of nature; a spattering of architecture; and a sprinkling of politics, pop culture, and spies—I especially appreciated all the diverse folks who shared their time and expertise. A special thanks to everyone at Wilderness Press and Keen Communications, including Holly Cross, Susan Haynes, Tim W. Jackson, Steve Jones, Scott McGrew, Molly Merkle, Liliane Opsomer, Bob Sehlinger, and Tanya Sylvan. Thanks to Jeannette, Anne, Becky, and Laura for their support; Sharon and Art for their insiders’ tours; the District of Columbia Public Library’s Jerry McCoy; Destination DC; Cultural Tourism DC; the Historical Society of Washington, D.C.; Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens’ Douglas Rowley and Robert Steele; geologists Callan Bentley, David Prowell, Elizabeth O. Doyle, and Tony Fleming; the District Department of the Environment’s Daniel Rauch; the OSS Society’s Charles Pinck; the National Security Agency’s Louis J. Leto and Jennifer Wilcox; surveyor Joe Snider; historians Michael R. Harrison and David Rotenstein; Architect of the Capitol Curator Barbara Wolanin; and the region’s volunteer hike leaders (including fellow author Paul Elliott), who lead group treks to encourage healthy and happy walking.
AUTHOR’S NOTE
I devised these routes to entice newcomers as well as the most jaded Washingtonians. Hopefully the lesser-known “fun facts” I discovered will help convert our sometimes cold capital from a mere acquaintance into a warm friend.
Numbers on this locator map correspond to Walk numbers.
TABLE OF CONTENTS