Monday is Presidents Day in the States. Originally the day was held to honor the
birth date of George Washington.
Approved by an Act of Congress in 1879, it was first known as Washington’s
Birthday and for nearly 150 years it has been an official Federal Holiday. In the early 1980s Abraham Lincoln’s birthday
(February 12, 1809) was also made an official holiday and part of Washington’s
Birthday celebrations. Previously,
Lincoln tributes and holidays were on the state level. Through the push of advertisers and retailers
the two birthdays became one big holiday—Presidents Day and when Saturday and
Sunday are thrown in we have Presidents Day weekend. The stores and malls will be packed.
Federal holidays effectively shut down America for a
day. No government offices, no schools,
no mail delivery… So, get on the saddle
and go for a bike ride. And while we are
talking about George Washington let’s take that ride in Alexandria,
Virginia. What better ride than on the
Mount Vernon Trail? So let’s go...
Start the 18-mile Mount Vernon Trail at Theodore Roosevelt
Island Park located at the northern-most end of the Trail. But don’t think you can ride yet--no
bicycling is permitted on the island. We
just want to use the parking lot.
Admission and parking are free. You
will walk your bike across a foot bridge to the Mount Vernon Trail. If you want to get loosened up before your
ride, take a walk around the island. It’s
an amazingly serene place and you will not believe you are right in the middle
of the nation’s capital.
Once
on the trail and on your ride you will enjoy the paved roadway. At some points along the trail boardwalks
take over for the asphalt due to swampy land conditions. You will also enjoy a few bridge crossings
(some may require a dismount). You will
soon approach the Arlington Memorial Bridge over the Potomac, look to your
right and you will see Arlington National Cemetery, always a moving sight. The Potomac will be just to your left the
entire ride south. At any point during
the ride you will be able to see bald eagles.
The big birds have been nesting in the region for years feasting on a
bounty of fish provided by the river.
As you approach the Columbia Island Marina you will pass the
Navy-Merchant Marine Memorial. Dedicated
in 1934 it honors seamen lost during World War I. Columbia Island itself is dominated by Lady
Bird Johnson Park, named for the former First Lady to honor her efforts to make
D.C. a “More Beautiful Capital.” It was
Mrs. Johnson’s idea to plant the now famous cherry trees throughout the
district in 1968. Originally a gift from Japan in 1912, the trees were planted solely on the White House grounds.
Exiting Columbia Island will send the rider under a series
of four bridges as the trail meanders peacefully along for a few minutes. The trail then comes close—literally with
feet—of the Reagan National Airport.
Once past the sprawling expanse of “DCA” the
trail enters the Old Dominion of Virginia.
Next up is downtown Old Town Alexandria.
Things may get tricky here as roads need to be crossed so be aware of
traffic. This is about the mid-point of
your ride. The next few miles will have
you riding through some tidal marsh and here is where the boardwalks come into
the ride. Next up: the suburbs. So think
of the standard four bedroom, two car garage colonial and keep pedaling.
The trail leaves suburbia, enters forest for a brief
time and finally arrives at Mount Vernon, the farm and home of our first
president. The Georgian estate was
designed and built by George Washington in 1757. The Mount Vernon Ladies Association oversees
the 400 acre site. It is open 365 days a
year and admission is $17 for adults. A
man known for many things: soldier, statesmen and scholar, Washington was also
one of the most forward-thinking farmers ever seen in America. The mule was Washington’s invention. He wanted an animal with the size of a horse with the strength of a donkey. He got what
he wanted in the mule. Recently, through
archeological research it was discovered that Washington was a master
distiller. In 2009 the Mount Vernon distillery
was opened to the public and people of age can purchase Mount Vernon Whiskey
made from Washington’s own recipe. Pick
some up for the ride north, a small bottle should fit in your jersey pocket
(drink it when you get home).
We
have a brief video of Mount Vernon on our website www.stickybottleteam.net.
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