If you're not interested in personal
nostalgia, skip the first two paragraphs. In 1949 I was stationed in
Washington. The post-war 40s were a recovery period for America but also
exceptionally exhilarating and, for many of us, romantic. Washington of 1949
was a whole different world from Washington of today. My fiancé and I spent
every available moment touring this beautiful, enchanted city. Street cars
were every where and went almost everywhere. You could purchase a pass for a
whole week of riding with no limits. And it didn't take long to find out about
Glen Echo.
Glen Echo was an amusement park a
couple miles up the Potomac River. The street car ran out there on a track
which was almost like a roller coaster. It was a thrill ride for two young
lovers. But that October, our first October in the Eastern U.S., the ride was
much, much more. There is no way to adequately describe those autumn leaves
still burning in our memories. Nor can I tell you how many times we rode that
street car back and forth, gazing at those beautiful leaves, absolutely
spellbound. The shimmering gold leaves of the quaking aspens of the Rocky
Mountains are certainly beautiful but, admittedly, no match for the kaleidoscopic
panorama along the Potomac River.
The Washington street cars are long
gone :-( and the streets, once so wide and relaxed, are crowded and noisy. Now
there is the Clara Barton Parkway which runs along the old street car path,
along the C&O Canal and the Potomac River, through Glen Echo and beyond to
I-495. It is a short cut to DC for many, perhaps most. But if you'll get up a
little earlier in the morning and drive OUTBOUND (from the District to I-495)
you will still see those beautiful leaves. Development along the Virginia
banks of the Potomac has reduced the number of trees somewhat but the George
Washington Parkway has helped to preserve the sight. The Clara Barton Parkway
is 4-lane divided, fairly straight. The rush-hour traffic will (mostly) be
moving towards the District. This is a great opportunity. Don't miss it!
There are excellent accommodations for leaf-lookers in
the Greater Washington area. Many are outright economical. A Washington map
(and index) is available at reservations-network.net.
Just click on the community of choice. Enter your the dates you'll need the
accommodations, indicate the acceptable price range and check the amenities
you desire. A list of accommodations will then
appear. Select from the list to make your reservation. It is easy to make your
reservation and save money, too.
contributed
by ZM
