This event qualifies for the following AVA Special Programs: 51 Capitals, National Heritage, Riverwalk America, and College Campus.

March 1 - September 30, 2008. Walk only from Dawn to Dusk.

Columbia Plaza Apartments reception desk, 2400 Virginia Avenue,NW, Washington, DC. 20037.The box is located at the Reception Desk. The good people at the Start Point have volunteered their place of business and do not know anything about volksmarching. This is a self service start/finish.

There are two walk trails, one stamp: 6KM or 10KM. Twoo alternatives are available for longer walks. One includes L'Enfant Plaza and a stroll beside the Potomac River near Kennedy Center. The second leads through Kennedy Center, over the Memorial Bridge, through part of Arlington National Cemetery and reaches the Iwo Jima Memorial. The 6KM trail goes across the Memorial Bridge but does not include Arlington Cemetery or Iwo Jima. The trails are rated 1+ because they are generally flat with some natural surfaces. Both trails will be difficult for wheelchairs due to stairs. Both trails are suitable for big-wheeled strollers.

Although the blooming of the cherry blossoms in late March or early April will be featured on these trails, many other flowers will bloom at other times during the spring and summer.

There is no commemorative award for this event. Awards from previous years are available.

You can pre-register for this event by sending a SASE and appropriate fee to the Point of Contact below. Instructions for the event and a start card with waiver will be returned to you. After completing the walk, return your start card to the above address. If applicable, the award will be mailed to you.

Conditions:

Water and restrooms are available at the monuments and in the museums. Snack bars on the Mall are open during the summer months. Some museums have cafeterias open to the public. Union Station has a food court on the lower level.

Carry photo identification as it may be required to enter buildings along the walk.

Directions:

From the West via Washington Beltway I495: take exit 44 onto George Washington Memorial Parkway (first exit in Virginia from Maryland). Drive 8.5 miles and exit from the George Washington Parkway at Memorial Bridge/Arlington Cemetery exit, At the end of the exit ramp, turn right and stay toward the right in the traffic circle to continue straight onto the Memorial Bridge to cross the Potomac into DC, At the end of the Memorial Bridge, bear right on the Rock Creek Parkway/Kennedy Center exit. Follow Rock Creek Parkway and Kennedy Center signs as the parkway passes under Kennedy Center by the river and by the Watergate Complex on the right. At the next traffic light, turn right onto Virginia Avenue. After 3 traffic signals, turn right onto 24th Street which goes into a parking garage at Columbia Plaza.

From I-395 in the southwest: Take exit 8B, Pentagon/Arlington Cemetery/Rosslyn and follow the signs to exit onto the Memorial Bridge.Bear right onto the bridge to cross the Potomac into DC. At the end of the Memorial Bridge, bear right on the Rock Creek Parkway/Kennedy Center exit. Follow Rock Creek Parkway and Kennedy Center signs as the parkway passes under Kennedy Center by the river and by the Watergate Complex on the right. At the next traffic light, turn right onto Virginia Avenue. After 3 traffic signals, turn right onto 24th Street which goes into a parking garage at Columbia Plaza.

Via Metrorail: Take the Blue/Orange line to Foggy Bottom/GWU Station. As you exit the station, turn right to walk south on 23rd Street for 4 blocks (crossing 5 streets) to Virginia Avenue. Cross Virginia Avenue and turn right to walk west on Virginia Avenue for one-half block and bear left into the drive, staying to the right of the underground entrance. The Consul, West Lobby reception desk is the second set of glass doors on the right. The doors to the lobby are locked at 7:30 p.m and are unlocked at 7:00 a.m. There are instructions on the door to ring the Reception Desk Personnel if you arrive outside of these hours.

Parking: Limited parking is available on the street during the day (2 hour meters, 9:30 am to 4pm). Some require payments on Saturday; all are free on Sundays and holidays. There is a parking garage under the plaza (entrance on Virginia Avenue) that charges by the hour (usually $6/first hour, $9/2 hours, $17 all day); Saturday after 5pm and all day Sunday, fee is $4. Garage parking fees are subject ti change. Best bet: parking is available at most Metro Train stops.

Marshall Hansen
10111 Capitol View Ave
Silver Spring, MD 20910
301-588-1913