A/B goals. The A goal is what I really want. The B goal is what I will accept if my pain and fatigue levels prevent me from being successful. Why? Well, I do this delightful thing (that I think most people do), where if I cannot meet the requirements of my goal then I toss out the entire thing. Which is stupid. I have not been inspired; it is hard to be inspired all the freaking time when simply looking in the mirror reminds me that what I am experiencing in my body is real. Instead of giving up and feeling unworthy of writing at all or sharing my adventures, the B goal is to throw up some facts and photos.
Here is My B Goal
Location: Washington DC
Open: 24 hours, year-round
Facilities: There is a visitor center near 17th and Independence. There are restrooms near the Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson memorials.
Fee: Free
Trail Length/Elevation Gain: 4-5 miles/250′ eg (there are ways to make the hike longer)
Other: There are plenty of bike and scooter rentals, open areas, and museums within walking distance
Hike 27 in Falcon Guides Best Hikes Washington DC, the National Mall Monuments “hike” is described as: Electric describes the scene as you explore the National Mall. Throngs move in seemingly all directions. On huge lawns, kids kick a soccer ball. Bike riders and joggers weave between people whose eyes are cast upward, soaking in monuments and memorials. The Mall is big enough to accommodate this activity-and much more. Yet, if explored thoroughly, it turns out to be a place dotted with small curiosities and quiet, tucked-away spots that make it feel personal and intimate.
60 Hikes Within 60 Miles Washington DC lists Tidal Basin and West Potomac Park at number 10: The National Park Service refers to the Mall as “America’s Front Yard-a public space that evokes the pride and patriotism of our nation.” The Mall, in effect, serves as the nation’s town square, commons, pulpit, soapbox, park, and memorial garden. It is a great hiking venue where one can take self-propelled voyages of discovery and re-discovery, and it’s small enough to cover on foot but large enough for a hiker to get some exercise – and avoid the crowds.
The Two Halves of the National Mall
More from Falcon Guides: The National Mall, 2 miles in length, is anchored on the east end by the US Capitol and on the west by the Lincoln Memorial. Halfway between is the Washington Monument. Bounding it to the north is the White House, and to the south, the Jefferson Memorial. It’s easily divided into two parts. The eastern half from the Capitol to the Washington Monument is Museum Row, where more than ten museums line the mall, including the Smithsonian Institute. the bulk of this hike takes place in the western half of the Mall, the monument core, more formerly known as West Potomac Park. The long skinny Reflecting Pool is the centerpiece; around it stand all the well-known memorials, from the oldest (Washington) to the newest (the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial).
