Skookum Traveler

Washington Monument

Although the Washington Monument reopened in May after being closed since 2011 due to earthquake damage, we have yet to get our buttooskis back up it, but will soon I hope. In any event, I can never seem to get enough pics of the thing from below.

Repaired marble tiles.

They missed a spot.

Little Seneca Lake (MD)

My boss has been prodding her staff for some time to get a kayak trip together, so we eventually settled on the park and reservoir above the Little Seneca Dam, a few miles north of the beltway. The park was quite parky and traily too, and well kempt. Kayak rentals are quite reasonable. Kris and I snagged a double and she could hardly contain her glee as we paddled easily to the nearest cove. Cute turtles on logs added to the pizazziness of the trip. Kris had to work that afternoon (August 24), so it was a brief outing—perfect temps, no wind, no bugs. We’ll definitely go again before the warmer weather fades.

Amish Country and Susquehanna (MD, PA)

On August 23, we made a dash through eastern PA’s amiable Amish country, including a stop at the old Rock Run Grist Mill on Maryland’s reach of the Susquehanna River (near Conowingo Dam). We were on our way to visit my brother in a Philadelphia hospital. He was recovering from leg surgery and doing well enough, but anxious to go home. Next time we’ll have to add a day and stop by Gettysburg as well… soooo many places we haven’t been.

Mount Vernon Trail (VA)

On August 16, Kris and I finally rode the last five miles of the Mount Vernon Trail to Washington’s revered estate on the Potomac. Not sure why it took us so long—a fun stretch to pedal.

The man who made Mount Vernon famous.

DC Walks

I’ve been putting together a new blog highlighting some favorite walks around DC and will post a link once it’s far enough along to wet a whistle. For now, here’s a few more images of some of 2014’s capital carousing.