Theodore Roosevelt Island - A wonderful natural escape in the heart of the DC Urban Landscape

Theodore Roosevelt Statue - TR Island - JD Jessop Photo
When most people visit Washington D.C. they go to the Lincoln, Jefferson and Washington Memorials on the mall, the National Capitol or one of the Smithsonian museums. I've seen all of these things and they are all incredible in their own right. There is however a little known place that I find to be a nice change of pace and very relaxing when compared to the hustle and bustle of the National Mall. That place is Theodore Roosevelt Island. This little piece of nature in the middle of the Potomac River is right in the middle of the Washington DC Metro area. This place is another memorial to one of our great leaders - President Theodore Roosevelt. The history of this island and the area surrounding it goes way back before our 26th President. On June 6th, 1608, Captain John Smith and 14 men from the Jamestown Colony entered the Potomac River on a two ton barge and followed it west as far as the Great Falls of the Potomac in search of Gold. Smith and his men came across 3 different Indian Villages along the Potomac and very possibly set foot on Teddy Roosevelt Island. These kind of stories fascinate me as I try to imagine how the landscape must have been back in the days of those pioneers. Whenever I get the chance I go and visit Teddy Roosevelt Island as it is a short drive from the other monuments. You can however loose yourself in the trees along the 1.3 mile loop trail through the forest and wetlands of the Island. On my last visit it was very cold, overcast and threatening snow. I pretty much had the Island to myself and even though I could hear the constant grumble of the city all around, when concealed in the trees, it is quite refreshing. You have to access the island via a short bridge and then in the middle of the island you will find a stunning monument to Theodore Roosevelt, hidden in the shadows of giant old Yellow Poplar Trees that has a statue of him in the middle and is flanked by stone panels with the headings - Nature, Manhood, Youth and The State. My favorite was the Nature panel as this quote by Teddy Roosevelt was inscribed upon it "There is delight in the hardy life of the Open. There are no words that can tell the hidden spirit of the Wilderness so that can reveal its Mystery its Melancholy and its Charm".
Typical trail on elevated portion of TR Island - JD Jessop Photo
I stood there alone at the monument and considered great words captured in stone that were uttered by a great man and then I continued on. As I walked along through the forest of Maple, Ash, Hickory and Walnut trees, I noticed all kinds of vines climbing up the trees throughout the park. Large brown leaves littered the paths and an occaisional large white bark sycamore broke up the dull brown colors of the leafless winter forest. There was a long boardwalk along the edge of a swamp and bottom of the clear pools was carpeted with old leaves. There were old tree trunks, stumps and hollowed out fallen logs that no doubt housed the numerous squirrels that I noticed as I walked the trail. There were different types of white fungi in fan and plate shapes attached to the logs on the forest floor. One giant old dead black tree remained upright and it reminded me of the nasty tree that came to life and snatched the little boy in the movie Poltergeist. Numerous bird nests were visible in the de nuded trees. High up in one tree I noticed a large, interesting woodpecker busily assaulting the bark of the tree. Most notable feature about him was his head feathers which were bright read and reminded me of the plume on a Roman Centurions helmet.
Autumn litter - TR Island - JD Jessop Photo
The tap tap tap of his endeavors seemed to echo through the forest. The water in pools was calm and clear as glass wish tree root swamp knees rising up in places. In areas on island the bedrock was exposed in large green boulder outcrops. Red wing birds and Cardinals were chatting, chirping and singing. Cat tails rose up from the tidal marsh along the edges of the boardwalk. It was bitter cold and a light snow began to fall. I stood on the western tip of the island looking towards a high bridge and some interesting old buildings with spires on the DC side of the river and then I followed the trail back to the access bridge and my car. I very much enjoyed my visit to this Island and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Washington DC and its monuments as it is a refreshing change of pace and scenery that is very close to the DC Mall.
Pedestrian Access Bridge to Theodore Roosevelt Island - JD Jessop Photo
Tidal Marsh Color - TR Island - JD Jessop Photo

Yellow Poplar trees & Theodore Roosevelt Monument - JD Jessop Photo



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