Walking Walrus Capital Crescent Trail

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Walking

Walking with the Walrus

CAPITAL CRESCENT TRAIL MD USA VOLKSMARCH
SUNDAY, JULY 13, 1997

by Kevin Shaw
The Northern Virginia Volksmarchers sponsored this weekend's walk in the Bethesda/Chevy Chase area of suburban Maryland. The Residence Inn on Wisconsin Avenue provided a nice facility for the start/finish of this 5KM/10KM walk. I met several friends there just after 10 am this brilliantly sunny but hot Sunday. Greg Norris and Eric Johnston from my office joined me there, along with my friends Dan Hanson and Marty Brumback.
I did bring India and Peaches today, along with plenty of cold water to help all of us try to stay cool. The promise was that the Capital Crescent Trail, a converted rails to trail, would be mostly shaded, helped me decide on bringing the pooches. The trail rating of 1+ was about right, most of the walk was flat with a few small hills.
T he 10 km trail we walked on today headed out in the opposite direction than past years' walks did. We headed towards Silver Spring instead of Georgetown. The route followed a rough figure 8 design, and was a great layout of varied terrain, between the shady, wooded Capital Crescent Trail, and open and shady neighborhoods. One checkpoint was strategically located at the Audubon Society at the far end of the 8. It was staffed, and full of necessary supplies, including a doggie water bowl full of cold refreshment for Peaches and India. We crossed busy Connecticut Avenue twice, and walked the Capital Crescent Trail part in two separate sections.
T he neighborhoods we walked in were really lovely, older grand homes with beautifully landscaped lawns and gardens, old mature big trees that provided plenty of shade for us. At one spot there was a small tree growing out of a large old stump, and gave me a great spot for a picture. An enterprising young girl set up a lemonade and cookie stand near the end of the walk, and was doing a great business. We refreshed ourselves there, but unfortunately she did not have any water for the pooches. I drained both of my 2 quart water bottles by the end of the walk, mostly on soaking the pooches to keep them cool, and to give them a drink. Along the Capital Crescent Trail in several spots stands of bamboo really gave a different look to the wooded environment of the path.
Registration and book stamping went flawlessly. I can't get up that early, but the sponsors should be commended for providing for a very early start time, 6 am-12 noon, on both days. Mimi Pollow and the Northern Virginia Volksmarchers should be commended for a great walk on a hot weekend. I did not avail myself of the awards available, which were train locomotive replicas, but I am sure were quite popular awards for many of the 500+ walkers on this weekend. I can't wait to return again next year, assuming they continue walking out of this spot.

Kevin Shaw