Alexandria Area Walking & Hiking Group

• From 9 to 10 am we'll do about 2 miles of unstructured wandering around LBJ Memorial Pond to enjoy and photograph the aquatic plants and the boardwalks to the west. If you arrive later, which is fine, just come on in and join us in the gardens!
• At 10 am, we'll reconvene in front of the Visitor Center and go for a 2-mile walk on the Anacostia River via the Anacostia River Trail. The River Trail is paved and fairly level.
• The total walk is about 4 miles, not counting the trail to and from the parking lot and any extra wandering around at the lily ponds behind the visitor center. We should finish at around 11:30 am.
• Google map: https://tinyurl.com/kxha6n4a

❷ How to get there:

• The parking lot entrance is located at 4505 Anacostia Avenue NE, Washington D.C. (The official address is 1550 Anacostia Avenue NE, Washington, DC.) From the parking lot, a path through the woods leads to the Visitor Center.
• The park is also accessible by Metro from the Deanwood Metro Stop on the Orange Line.
• For detailed directions, see the NPS web site, http://www.nps.gov/keaq/planyourvisit/directions.htm

❸ What to bring: Water, comfy shoes, and your furry friend if desired (leashes please). Insect repellent and sunscreen are recommended. A camera is a handy accessory.

❹ Weather: The forecast is partly cloudy and a high of 89F; 77-82F during our visit. Winds SSW at 5-7 mph and a very slight chance of showers. Updates here: https://tinyurl.com/mrtd3muc

❺ Advisory: As a reminder, this is an adult group, and you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being during events. No one under 18 years of age is allowed at this event, either as members or as guests, to include babies in carriers and/or strollers.

❻ Administrative stuff: There are restrooms and drinking fountains at the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Visitor Center.

❼ Notes:

• "Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens," Official National Park Service Website, http://www.nps.gov/keaq/index.htm

• Starting from the parking lot east of the Braddock Road Metro Station, we'll walk south on N. West St, turn left onto Wythe St, and follow it east ten blocks. At N. Royal St we'll turn left and walk five blocks north to Third St, turn right, walk east to the waterfront, and follow the shoreline south though Tidelock Park to find a seat on the steps in front of the "Promenade Classique" fountain in between Tidelock and Rivergate Parks. (Or elsewhere as desired.)
• The walk to the waterfront takes about 30 minutes, so we should arrive at the waterfront shortly after 8:30 pm. The Alexandria Symphony Orchestra will perform between 8:30 and 9:30 pm. The Grand finale fireworks display will take place starting at 9:30 pm.
• After the fireworks, we'll return west along First St to N. Royal St, turn left, and walk two blocks south to Madison St, where we'll turn right and walk eleven blocks back to our starting point.
• The walk is about 2.5 miles and depending on the length of the fireworks display, we should be back at Braddock Road Station by around 10:30 pm. The surface is paved throughout. This is an easy hike.
• Google map: http://tinyurl.com/mzppqqh

❷ How to get there:

• Driving. From I-395 (either direction) take the King Street exit (5) and follow King Street one mile to West Braddock Street. Follow West Braddock Street east for 2.2 miles, passing through the tunnel under the railroad. Immediately after the tunnel, turn left on N. West Street. The meetup point is on your left, a half a block north. Parallel park anywhere in the area; mind the signage. Parking in the metro station lot on Saturdays is free; see https://www.wmata.com/service/parking/
• Metro: Braddock Road Metro Station is on the Blue and Yellow lines. Use the WMATA Trip planner to arrive NLT 8:00 pm: https://www.wmata.com/

❸ What to bring: Water and comfy shoes. Insect repellent and a flashlight are recommended. Consider bringing a blanket to sit on, but if things work out as planned, the steps of the "Promenade Classique" fountain should be much better than sitting on the grass. Please leave pets at home!

❹ Weather: The forecast is mostly cloudy and a 30-40% chance of isolated thunderstorms with 0.01" accumulation expected. Winds SE at 5-6 mph. Updates here: https://tinyurl.com/3c9pe3fb

❺ Advisories:

• As a reminder, this is an adult group, and you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being during events. No one under 18 years of age is allowed at this event, either as members or as guests, to include babies in carriers and/or strollers.
• Wear light or reflective clothing and keep an eye out for motorists, especially when crossing US-1 (N Henry and N Patrick) and N Washington St!

❻ Administrative stuff: There are restrooms and beverages/snacks available at several commercial establishments along our route, but we won't be stopping. A pit stop on your way to the event is a Good Idea.

❼ Notes:

• Alexandria & USA Birthday Celebration at Alexandria.gov: https://apps.alexandriava.gov/Calendar/Detail.aspx?si=58886