Woodland-Normanstone Terrace Park

Woodland-Normanstone Terrace Park

Heading back from the Ob-ode, I walked along Normandstone Drive, instead of Woodland Drive. On this road, is the Woodland-Normanstone Terrace Park. This park doesn't seem to have any trails, but one can still walk through it, pathless. It does have Rock Creek bordering it. :) The Khalil Gibran park is on the other side of it. 

It was a hot, humid, typical DC summer day, and after walking for 1 1/2 hours, I was covered in sweat and drained. Walking up the Normandstone Drive, I saw this water lock type thing, so I climbed down a couple steps down to get closer to take a photo. In my capris, the skin exposed suddenly felt like an air conditioner had turned on!

Lock and Natural Air Conditioning Magic

I stepped down a couple more steps, and the cool air enveloped me as I saw this like aqueduct. This place was such a wonderful refuge from the heat a few paces above. 

Mini Aqueduct

After having cooled down, I continued ahead a short distance and then stepped back into Woodland-Normanstone Terrace Park, climbed the hill and explored a bit. I need to come back with Saurabh and explore deeper. 

Normandstone-Woodland Terrace Park

I finally made it home, hot, sweaty, thirsty and in need for an icy drink. At Open City, I asked them to make me the lemonade with crushed ice. How three sips of this drink revived me, I cannot describe. 

Iced Lemonade to end my Romping!

Islamic Center of Washington

I have passed by the Islamic Center of Washington a million times, on foot and by car. Finally, today, I stepped in. I wasn't able to see the prayer room. but I took walked around a bit on the grounds and in the building. 

 The grounds of the Islamic Center has flags on either side

The Minaret

Through The Arches

The Inner Courtyard Walls

The grounds behind. Behind these grounds is the Embassy of Oman

I love seeing the Oman flag here, amongst the flags of the other countries. It isn't unexpected to see the Omani flag or anything, it just makes me feel warm.

Omani Flag Flying :)

Obamas' Ob-ode in a Few Months

Ob-ode

A few days ago, the media posted photos of the house the Obamas are going to rent after January 20, 2017. One of the articles that I read about it said it was on Belmont Road in the Kalorama neighbourhood. After looking at one of the photos posted, I was able to see the blurry image of the number of the house. I used google maps and its street view feature to confirm the address. And voila, today's expedition! 

Want to know what's cool? It is a few houses down from the Oman Embassy! :)

After walking past the embassy, a few houses later, TA-DA!

My favourite part of the outside of this house are these stairs

One side of the house, adjacent to the garage area (which was open!)

The garage area, or what I assume is the garage area. It was open...

...so, of course, I went in!

And, took these stairs up to look at the backyard!

To the left of the stairs, tucked away behind the house.

To the right of the stairs.

Rock Creek Park from Woodland-Normanstone

When I was looking at the map to go to the future Ob-ode, I saw a trail to get to Rock Creek that we see from the Charles C. Glover bridge on Massachusetts Avenue. So, of course, I had to take this detour before I headed to Ob-ode. 

Entering Rock Creek Park from Rock Creek Drive

Rock Creek

I followed the trail that went to the right and I found the Charles Glover Bridge!

Spot the Bridge?

Charles Glover Bridge and Rock Creek

Then, I doubled back and went the other was on the trail until I reached this pedestrian bridge :)

Pedestrian Bridge over Rock Creek

A little further Rock Creek Parkway crosses Rock Creek. 

Rock Creek Parkways over Rock Creek

Rock Creek Park and its trails are always interesting, always close to major roads, always has Rock Creek near by, always beautiful. And, every time I explore, I am grateful and amazed at having this in the city, so near our home. 

Exploring the Woodland-Normanstone Terrace Neighbourhood

A little Aqueduct

Recently, the the media reported which house the Obamas are going to rent next year after Jan 20th. So, of course, I had to go check it out. I looked up the route to go there, and saw that one of the routes, albeit longer, was through Woodland Drive. I first heard about Woodland Drive 2 Christmases ago when St Alban's school held their Christmas House Lights tour there that year. We didn't go for it, but I saw it is a zigzag-y road on the map. I was intrigued. So, finally, today I walked down that road to get to Obamas' future residence. 

I wasn't sure what to expect, but holy-moly! What beautiful houses! And they were huge! So much space around the homes too. A beautiful walk. 

On the map I had seen this little hidden between the houses from Woodland Drive to Normandstone Lane. Even though this made the route a little longer, of course I had to take it :)

The little hidden path begins here 

First, you walk down these stairs

The stairs lead to this little path that takes you to Normandstone Lane

Walking along, I heard water! And of course, there was this! 

And this...

And this...

What a beautiful neighbourhood nestled in DC's North West quadrant! 

On my way back from the the Ob-ode, I came through this neighbourhood again, but walked different streets. 

The beauty is truly unending here. Look at this footpath! 

And you pass the Woodland-Normanstone Terrace Park.

And, finally, look at this house! Rock Creek runs through its backyard!