Monthly MLKJ-Walk: Feb 12 Postponed, Anacostia River Loop 4.5/9/13 Mile Options

Weather concerns necessitated postponing this walk originally scheduled for February 12th to Sunday, 19 February. After nine years of staging an annual January MLKJ-Walk, we will now, each Black History Month, varyingly offer one of our three, largely distinct and at least once monthly MLK-J route options for each of this February’s good weather weekend and Presidents’ Day dates.

Please, always, update any RSVP status changes in a timely manner. Manageable sized/leashed dogs are permitted. As this is a largely flat trail, we’ll strive for a minimum 2.25-2.50 mph pace. Faster/ longer distance walkers, will determine there own pace, of course. The current weather prediction is excellent for later winter. We’ll stop for a late outdoor snack-lunch midway on the west side of the loop around the Navy Yard area. This will allow the longer distance island/faster walkers to rejoin us if they havn’t already. There are at least three toilet opportunities. Please do inform your guide if need arises for more such stops.

Our route has several easy access points to the DC Metro system, feel free to end your walk wherever you like, ensuring that you inform your leader first, please.

Some will walk as many as 13 or 16 miles, others will walk about nine miles if they choose to complete only the basic loop. The Anacostia Metro Station provides a walk distance option of no more than 4.5 miles. Your guide will not divert to any offered option and stay with those on the basic 9-mile loop trail.

The Smithsonian is the closest Metro stop to our start, a 10-15 minute walk to the MLKJ Monument book store where we will meet. The bookstore has a restroom and is located just across the street from the MLKJ monument. Arrive early enough to sign in and indicate where you intend to sign out. You can park free at either of two Ohio Drive/Buckeye Street lots. In the past, late arrivees have linked up with us at en route locations. Your guide can phone or message you. If requested, he will also share his Google Maps location with you.

We’ll traverse past the Jefferson Monument and along the Wharf waterfront. Then pause at the Titanic monument for our obligatory photo op and continue to Nationals Park (2 miles), then cross the Frederick Douglass Bridge into Anacostia Park. There are two approaches to Anacostia’s DC Metro station nearby en route if you decide to shorten your walk distance to about 4.5 miles.

Eventually reaching the Ethel Kennedy Bridge, walking westerly across it, an optional, 2.5 mile loop of Heritage/Kingman Islands is available. However, at the RFK Stadium west parking area, all will eventually, turn left here and take the River Walk Trail southward. We’ll soon pass the Navy Yard and take a late lunch somewhere on the boardwalk where some can order food or eat their sack lunch. Afterward, we’ll complete the main 9-mile loop at Nationals’ Stadium and then retrace our original route back to the MLK Monument. Though some may choose to end at the Smithsonian Metro Station.

There is also an MLKJ monument return afterward loop option available to visit both Theodore Roosevelt Island and the Kennedy Center Rooftop and Cafeteria with great views of the sunset over the Potomac River. This loop will also be led by your guide in addition to the basic nine-mile loop.

In keeping with the Dr. MLKJ dedicated “day of service” theme consider extending it by bringing a container for litter gathering/plogging? There will be a minimum of three restroom opportunities. Dress accordingly in “breathable layers/cotton is never recommended” and please remember that sufficiently hydrating is important in any weather.

Anacostia Riverwalk Trail on AllTrails
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington-dc/anacostia-riverwalk-trail?p=54581259

Kingman and Heritage Islands on AllTrails
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington-dc/kingman-and-heritage-islands?p=55182902

NPS site and start directions:

http://www.nps.gov/mlkm/planyourvisit/directions.htm

This walk trail is one of three, largely distinct, basic MLKJ-Walk routes for an at least once monthly event that will include detours to other locales that reflect the inspiringly progressive life led by Dr. King.

You can contribute route diversion suggestions of interest thereby deciding the route by clicking "discussions" and commenting on your preferences.

We also organize a more traditional 50-Mile Kennedy March in Indianapolis, annually each May, to recognize MLK's death and RFK's tribute speech to King, there, that same night. There may be a DC 50-Mile March this early April. The brothers Kennedy and MLK are linked with Abe Lincoln in this song:

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=eKdhS3sSJSc

"Walk on," Ray