Alas, all good things must come to an end. That includes dropping Mrs. Moosefish at the airport to head home while I used just about every mode of ground transportation to get to the location of my conference outside Washington, D.C. Car to the airport. Light rail to the train station. Train south. Walk to the water. Boat across the river. Collapse in the hotel.
But don't you worry, since I was so close to the nation's capital there was more than a little history around. After relaxing in the cool of my air conditioned room, I headed out to tour Oxon Cove Park and Oxon Hill Farm. Sure, it's not as flashy as Independence Hall or Valley Forge, but it was there during the War of 1812 and had an official NPS passport stamp so it was worthy.
The walk to get there was pretty lame, though. All pavement. Along National Harbor was ok, but then it was a slog up a busy road with the sun beating down. After breathing exhaust to get there, the farm was a literal breath of fresh air.
It felt a little out of place amongst all the development. In fact, a huge MGM casino towered above the open fields, but as long as you looked in the right direction it wasn't too intrusive. I stopped in the ranger station for my stamps (gotta get my stamps!) and advice. They suggested I look at the animals. Erm... I get plenty of animal husbandry at home. Trails, though...
The Woodlot Nature Trail is the big winner of this park. Lush and green with only a few creepy shacks that were definitely home to unsavory fairy-tale baddies. When I saw the marmot I was a little spooked. Wait. A marmot? Here? NAH. It was a... dunno. Onward.
I hooked a service road that descended along the park's property line to the Potomac Heritage Trail and along the water back to the farm. By this time, I was way overheated and craving refreshment. Unlike the pigs, I couldn't wallow in the mud, but I could stop at the gas station for a drink.
NOOOOOO! The Coke Slushee machine was on defrost! There would be no happiness after this hike. Well, at least not till I returned to the hotel and cooled off.
Oh, and that marmot? 'Twas a groundhog. So pretty much a marmot.
📍On the lands of the Piscataway people.
