Springtime in July

Much to my amazement and delight, when I began my walk this morning at 7:15, the humidity was low and the temperature was only 61 degrees. Can you imagine that in the middle of July? Wow! The lovely weather continued for my entire walk, and by the time I'd completed my 20.4 miles, the temperature was still just in the low 80s.

Today, as I had eight weeks ago, I walked out to Vienna to meet up with my friend, Shelley. I have a much easier time motivating myself to walk when I know someone is waiting for me at the halfway point (give or take a few miles), and when food is part of the plan, too, all the better!

Before heading out the door, I packed up my provisions: 3 bottles of Gatorade, several Clif bars, and lots of blister block, moleskin, and band-aids. You never know what you might need along the trail!

After bidding a fond farewall to my trusty companion, Eli, and bandaging up the sore spots on my heels and toes, I hit the road.

Heading south through the Tara-Leeway Heights neighborhood, I passed by some lovely crepe myrtle and brown-eyed Susans.

I stopped to take a picture of the Reed School, which reopened in fall 2009 after undergoing significant renovations. Originally opened in 1938, the school closed in 1984 due to declining enrollment. In spring 2008, most of the school, with the exception of the original 1938 building, pictured below, was torn down and rebuilt. It now houses the Westover Branch Library (which had been located just up the street) hosts Arlington public school programs.

And because my inquiring historically-inclined brain wanted to know, I will share with you that the building was named for Major Walter Reed, M.D., who received his medical degree from the University of Virginia in 1869, when he was just 17 years old. Subsequently, he joined the U.S. Army Medical Corps and led the group that developed and confirmed the theory that yellow fever is transmitted by mosquitoes rather athan by direct contact. (Who knew? I mean, I knew about yellow fever being transmitted by mosquitoes, but had no idea that Reed's team had come up with this theory!) The Walter Reed Army Medical Center also bears his name.

Continuing on my way toward the Custis Trail, I passed by a number of pretty gardens in the Highland Park Overlee Knolls neighborhood, which was recently declared a historic district.

From North Ohio Street, I veered onto the Washington & Old Dominion Trail, soon arriving at East Falls Church Park, located right across the street from the East Falls Church metro station.

Continuing on the wooded section of trail skirting Benjamin Banneker Park, I stopped to take a picture of the sun through the trees and some pretty Queen Anne's lace before crossing from Arlington into Falls Church.

Although the sign above indicates Falls Church was first settled in 1699, this date is ambiguous, and there are no land records to substantiate the information. A cottage demolished two blocks from the center of Falls Church in the early twentieth century had the date 1699 engraved into one of its chimney stones, and based on this, 1699 is often used as the first date of European settlement in this area.

I began my walk early enough this morning that I was still one of just a few people on the trail as I approached the border of Fairfax County, but I did have some company: a little bunny rabbit enjoying a grassy snack along the edge of the path.

I was making great progress toward Vienna when this sign got in my way. What if I don't want to stop?!? Stopping is not part of my training plan. I am certainly not prepared to stop, thank you very much!

Fortunately, I didn't have to stop after all (or even prepare to stop), so I went along my merry way until . . .

What's that? What traffic? What does this mean? I had visions of the Washington & Old Dominion trail rerouted onto the Beltway and was quite concerned at the prospect. Okay, I didn't really think that was a possibility, but still, I had no idea what to expect. After covering about 100 more yards, I finally figured out what was going on. There is a new pedestrian bridge over the highway! It's quite a bit wider and more nicely paved than its predecessor was, which has been mostly demolished. I trust that eventually, the path from the trail to the old bridge will be completely blocked off, because as it is now, it's a little scary, just dropping off into nothingness, as you can sort of see in the second picture below.

As I moved along my westward path, I noticed a bunch of sunflowers, the tallest of which was well over 12 feet high. I was disappointed that there wasn't anyone else around at the time I passed the flowers, because it would have been great to get a picture of me standing next to them, to provide some sense of perspective. Oh well, you'll just have to take my word for it. These are some tall flowers!

I crossed into Vienna just after 9:00, and just before passing mile marker 10.5 on the trail, I came across an interesting sight. Up close, I thought this was just a painted wall, but when I stepped back, I realized that the pattern in the wall actually looks like a date. I see JULY 1884. Could the wall really be nearly 130 years old?! I tried to do some research online, but wasn't able to come up with anything. I'm puzzled! Any thoughts, dear readers?

Leaving that mystery behind me, I left the Washington & Old Dominion trail and went south on Route 123, where I was greeted by this gentleman.

I arrived at Amphora at 9:40, twenty minutes before I was due to meet Shelley. I made great time on my walk, thanks to the cool weather. Shelley and I had a lot of fun catching up, as usual, and my odd meal of cantaloupe and fries was delicious, although the waiter did give me a funny look when I ordered (not that I blame him!).

Shelley and I parted ways shortly after 11:00, and even then, as high noon approached, it was still only 80 degrees.

Arriving back at the Washington & Old Dominion Trail, I passed by this sign, which made me laugh. Clearly, this guy is in a hurry, running to try to find his neck, hands, and feet. He must have left them along the trail somewhere.

In spite of the lovely weather, the trail was empty . . .and decidedly unhilly, which I know is not good practice for San Francisco. Sigh.

Retracing my steps from earlier this morning, I walked east from Vienna into Fairfax, crossing over the Beltway and Route 66, then onward into Falls Church. Just look at that blue sky!

I stopped for a Gatorade break at this bench along the trail and also took a few minutes to readjust some of moleskin on my feet. At this point, about 18 miles into my walk, I had no new blisters. Diana, 1; blisters, 0. Woohoo!

Leaving Falls Church behind me, I continued my eastward trek into Arlington, admiring flowering trees, bamboo, and pretty flowers along the way.

Shortly before 2:00, after stopping by the grocery store, I returned to my trusty sidekick, and we played a fun game of soccer before baking strawberry cupcakes. What a great Saturday this has been! Now, I think it's time for a nap . . .and then some wine. Cheers!