Historic Del Ray: The Town of Potomac
Details
We often do custard runs in Del Ray on summer evenings, but we've never taken the time to check out some of the historic buildings and landmarks. Let's go!
http://photos2.meetupstatic.com/photos/event/a/3/e/7/600_452141959.jpeg
NB: Stomping Grounds, the coffee shop adjacent to the Farmer's Market, opens at 9 am, so if you need a pit stop before hiking, that's the place!
The route: Starting from the Farmer's Market, we'll walk a big, rather convoluted clockwise loop around town, going as far east as La Grande Ave, south to George Washington School, west to Commonwealth Ave, and north to E Raymond Ave. Along the way we'll get a look at lots of historic homes of many designs, dating from the 1890s, plus some Art Deco and Streamline Moderne commercial buildings. And maybe even some things that aren't there anymore, like a bank building-turned-restaurant, the St Asaph Racetrack, and the Washington-Virginia Railway.
The total distance is 4.2 miles of smiles and should take about 2 to 2.5 hours, depending on how long we linger at each point of interest. The surface is flat and mostly paved throughout. This is an easy hike.
Google map: http://tinyurl.com/jld9858
How to get there:
• Driving: From VA-1/Jefferson Davis Highway (either direction), turn west onto Custis Ave and drive four blocks west to Mount Vernon Ave. Turn right, and the Farmer's Market is on your right a block and a half along. (It's across the street from Dairy Godmother's!) Free parking in the Farmer's Market on Sundays, plus plenty of free parallel parking around the neighborhood.
• Metro: From Braddock Road Station, walk 0.2 miles west on Braddock Rd, turn right onto Mount Vernon and walk 0.9 miles north. See https://goo.gl/maps/APAAxoc7Q4N2
What to bring: Water, comfy shoes, and your furry friend if desired (leashes required). Make sure to bring sunscreen!
Weather: The forecast is mostly sunny in the morning, with increasing clouds and a 50% chance of showers starting around noon. Updates: http://tinyurl.com/ovnojef
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.
Administrative stuff: There are restrooms at Stomping Grounds, Swing's Coffee, and the Mount Vernon Recreation Center.
• Mount Vernon Recreation Center, 2701 Commonwealth Ave, Alexandria, VA 22305, (703) 746-5556
• Swing's Coffee Roasters, 501 E Monroe Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301, (703) 370-5050
• Stomping Grounds, 2309 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA 22301, (703) 364-8912