Lately, I have been biking the Anacostia River Trail in the morning. It is absolutely, one of the most spectacular urban bike trails in the U.S. While it is only a few miles from downtown, when you are on it, you almost feel transported to a rural wilderness wildlife preserve.
Some mornings, I am so eager to get on the trail, that I do not wait for the sun to rise.
The wildlife (mostly birds, fish and deer) and the imagery (trees, wetlands, shrubs, and flowers) are fantastic.
There is a dock just south of the Bladensburg Waterfront Park that is my usual destination.
I usually bring my camera and make believe that I am on a safari, trying to capture a clear image of the herons catching a fish. The trail extends into PG county and I am always hopeful that I will have a zebra sighting.
Sometimes, I visit the Kennilworth Aquatic Gardens. There is a back entrance, right from the trail.
The National Arboretum is just across the river. A pedestrian bridge is in the planning stage to connect the two.
Here is a link to my latest Anacostia River Trail videos:
Worthy Mouse Clicks 
Thanks for this animated invitation to explore in my own backyard. Would love to know where you park and cast-off. Onward…
Easiest place for me to access the trail is the bridge on East Capital, just east of RFK stadium or the south east corner of the Ethel Kennedy Bridge on Benning Rd. For kayaking, the Bladensburg Waterfront Park.
Plenty of parking at The Fields north of RFK, or at the entrance to Kingman Island.