I did three urban walks while staying in Bethesda this week. My daughter lives only a ten minute walk to the Metro, and a plastic card lets you travel to places that are Not Fun To Park A Car.
#1. Volksmarch in Georgetown.
[What is a Volksmarch? Click here.]
This urban 6.2 mile hike surprised us with an actual TRAIL through Dumbarton Oaks Park, which has faded from its original glory of managed natural design by the US’s first female landscape archtitect, but is still a delightful oasis from the bustle of Massachusetts Avenue.
The route then led us into the heart of Georgetown, along the C&O Canal, uphill through Georgetown University campus, and back through Dumbarton Oaks. I took relatively few photos because I was doing my best to keep up with my walking partner, Nancy. As it turns out, she was doing her best to keep up with ME, and therefore this ended up being a relatively strenuous hike. 
We did pause to read many historical plaques (George Washington met here…and here…and over there!), including these inspiring words by William O. Douglas in support of maintaining public walking paths (YAY!).
I’m trying to remember the last time I hiked 20 miles…on a Sunday afternoon.
[Actually it was a long descent and trek back to the car from the summit of Mount Baker in Washington. In 1978. When I was 19.]
#2. Volksmarch to the Zoo & Cathedral.
The first half of this hike wandered through the National Zoo. How fun! And plenty of bathrooms, with inspirational messages.
It was drizzly and overcast, so many animals were having a late morning lie-in.
And this has got to be the saddest sign, ever…
But WILD birds visiting the zoo are always available, of course!
When I got my first “real” camera in 1983, I went to the National Zoo for interesting subjects, so this was a sweet nostalgia trip for me, as well.
The second half of the hike led up to the National Cathedral. 
I didn’t pay to go in ($12!), but I explored the Bishop’s Garden.
As one sees the [Bishop’s Garden] from the higher level of the entrance walk, [it] suggests the charm of its lights and shadows and density of leafage though no photographs can give a hint of its color and fragrance or do justice to the beauty of its quiet atmosphere: “a space of peace” set apart forever from the rush of the every day world.
— Florence Bratenahl (Bishop’s Garden landscape designer and wife of the Cathedral’s first Dean)
Still, here is my photographic attempt to do justice to the beauty of the quiet atmosphere:
Repairs are still underway from the 2011 earthquake, which toppled and rattled turrets and pinnacle stones.
The return route led through The Olmstead Woods, a vestige of what was once Mount St. Alban’s extensive beech and oak forest.
#3. National Museum of African American History and Culture
My third outing this week was a trip to the Smithsonian’s most recent addition to the D.C. Mall of Museums. Walking distance unknown, but museums have a way of wearing you out, regardless of the actual mileage. It’s well worth the trip, however; plan on spending at least four hours.
How do you photograph the impact of a museum? I’ll include just this one image:
And finally, a shout out to Ligonier Ministries, which publishes Table Talk.
My.Bird.Walks. 