Theodore Roosevelt Island

Yesterday I flew into DC for a meeting this morning, and got in early enough for a run. I was staying in Crystal City, which usually means I run the Mt. Vernon Trail toward the 14th Street Bridge. I know it's probably called something else, but I'm too lazy to look it up. Regardless, I usually run across the bridge to the Jefferson Memorial. Yesterday I stayed on the trail and kept going toward the Key Bridge (see, that one I know). My goal was Theodore Roosevelt Island, even though it meant a longer run than would be normal for a weekday. In fact, I ended up at 9 miles but it was well worth it.

First of all, I passed the Merchant Marine Memorial, which is a beautiful sculpture on the south bank of the Potomac, and rarely visited. It sits right beside a busy road and is not close to any other monuments or memorials. Still, I found it a nice treasure hidden in plain sight.

Then I got to the Island. Having read the recent three-volume bio of the man who could be considered the first "modern" president, I was excited to see the memorial to a man who had a whole island named after him. Access to the island is across a foot bridge, and the area is completely covered by trees. A trail runs around the perimeter of the island, which I did not take since I already had enough mileage. I checked the sign at the foot of the bridge on the island side and discovered the quickest way to the memorial. Sure enough, a short walk later I emerged from the trees into the wide-open area where stood a definitively larger-than-life statue of the man who was the same. A brick plaza led the way to the statue, and it was flanked behind by four monuments with Teddy's sayings. The fountains were drained, which was disappointing. Not sure if they were prepped already for colder weather or if that's the natural state. It certainly didn't look like they'd held water any time recently. I was the only person there and enjoyed the solitude for a few minutes. Then I returned the way I came and beat the rain by a few minutes. I get the feeling the island isn't visited a whole lot, since people have to walk across the bridge and it's not right by the more popular attractions on the National Mall. I think I'll go back, though, as it already jumped up close to the top of my favorites.