Personal travel impressions in stories and pictures from Georgetown, Georgetown, Washington DC, U.S.A.. Click on the pictures to enlarge, send as a free e-card, or download for personal use. You can locate Georgetown and navigate the world using Google Earth
It was a very hot and humid day when I walked to Georgetown from the north, across the Oak Hill Cemetery. I criss-crossed my way south, through a tranquil part of this Washington, DC neighbourhood. This place once was an Indian village, and in the early 17th century, an English trader settled down here. The town was called after either King George II, or the founders of the town. While considerably older than the US capital, Georgetown was incorporated into Washington, DC in the late 19th century. Even so, it still retains its own atmosphere and identity, pleasant for both residents and visitors alike. While not boasting any major sights, Georgetown is best seen by just cruising its streets.
It was only when I reached M street, the main street of Georgetown, that I was surrounded by traffic, people, and noise - before that, my exploration of the mostly tranquil neighbourhood had been quiet. M street has Federal and Victorian buildings on either side; most ground floors now housing shops. I saw lots of people on a shopping spree, until I stumbled upon the Old Stone House, the oldest standing building in Washington, DC. Built in 1765, it displays the building style of the time, using large, rugged blocks of rock. The merciless sun was still squeezing water out of my body, and I stocked up on liquids somewhere nearby before continuing. A few blocks south of M street, I came across the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal. A total contrast: this is a quiet area, with trees, and charming wooden house fronts painted in bright colours.
For the next hour, I walked the tow path of the canal, which took me past several old locks and buildings: this used to be the industrial part of Georgetown. Some of the buildings were old, some newer; I walked further east until well after walking under the Key Bridge. Crossing the canal, I walked back on the tow path on the other side, giving me new views of the area. In the distance, the threatening sound of thunder, while the sun was still out when I was back to Thomas Jefferson St, where I walked up to M street and back to Wisconsin Avenue. I walked up this more chaotic street, crossed P street with its rails as a memory of the streetcars that once ran here, until I turned right a little higher up, to find myself back in the quiet residential backstreets of Georgetown. I cruised the streets, just following directions according to what seemed most attractive, and came across quite a few pretty houses, doors, portals, and tree-lined streets. When I reached Montrose Park, I was satisfied with the walk through this picturesque area of Washington that I had been exploring.
