We are continuing to settle in here in the D.C. area, and have eliminated the moving boxes from our living space. We are using the kitchen and cooking, even as the exploration of grocery stores in the area continues. Superlatives are being sought — the best bookstores, restaurants, cafes, parks and farmer’s markets — and I continue to learn the lay of the land, what roads connect, and where they lead.

I am extra-keen to explore the many off-street pedestrian and cycling trails in the area — but have not made time to do so since arriving a week ago. We did, however, manage to explore a trail or two along the Potomac River at Great Falls National Park yesterday.

Great Falls National Park, MD (September, 2022)

We were impressed to learn of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal & Footpath that parallels the Potomac River for 185 miles! Even though there are many miles of other trails to explore in this area, a continuous trail 185 miles in length just reeks of long-term potential.

I should also note that I found the Potomac to be very nice. It seems like a midpoint compromise between the stately St. John’s River flowing North from central Florida to the Atlantic and the granite-carving San Joaquin as it comes together from its forks and tribs in the King’s Canyon and Sequoia National Parks racing towards the San Francisco Bay. I am looking forward to seeing the Potomac’s full might one day; the river was well below its banks and a few channels were either dry or not flowing this late in the year. During the next spring melts, revisiting this area of the river is a must.

A week in, I have the new sourdough starter close to established and while it is too soon to bake with it, it is apparently NOT too soon to wonder what sort of character it will yield. Time will tell.

A new Winogradsky Column is probably in order too (speaking of bacteria); I wouldn’t mind bringing the endemic microbiome of the Mid-Atlantic into view as well. This is probably going to be on my to-do list very soon.

My previous Winogradsky Column, sourced at Sibley Volcanic Regional Park in Oakland, CA.

currently reading: Freedom by Sebastian Junger, The Federal Resume Guidebook (7th ed.) by Kathryn Troutman.

currently playing: Horizon: Forbidden West

last full listen: Music for Airports: Live by Bang on a Can All-Stars