SOURCE 06-01-03 DC EE M11 CMYK
The Washington Post
K
x
Answer Man
ROADTRIP
D E C O D I N G M D + VA + D C
Brighton Dam and Azalea Garden
My husband and I have a standing argument: Which is taller, the Mormon temple
in Kensington or Cinderella’s Castle at
Disney World in Orlando?
— Georgia McGraw, Crofton
WHERE: Brookeville, Md.
WHY: A city-dweller’s oasis at Brighton Dam,
plus rare trees, trolley rides, great fries and a
historical stop on the Underground Railroad.
HOW FAR: About 22 miles from the D.C.Maryland line, or a 40-minute drive with weekend traffic and stoplights.
During the week, the District of Columbia
borders can seem like an impenetrable wall to
those hustling back and forth between work
and home. Who takes time to smell the flowers? We all have allergies, anyway. But an escape from routine is easier than you think: In
less than an hour’s drive north, Washington’s
congested four-lane highways evolve into rambling country roads, and you can find an unexpected, water-misted park at the foot of an imposing dam.
Brighton Dam, built in 1942, spans the Patuxent River, its spillways looming dramatically over the grassy banks nestled at its base.
The area bustles with family barbecues, Frisbee games and shore fishermen, yet it still feels
like a picnicker’s hideaway compared with
Rock Creek Park and the National Mall. Best
of all, the dam’s constant water flow creates a
cool mist that will be much appreciated come
July’s 100-degree days.
Nearby are two other interesting areas: the
Azalea Garden, where shaded paths wind
through five acres of more than 22,000 brightly colored bushes, and the Triadelphia Recreation Area, named for a small town that was
swept away in an 1868 flood.
To the side of the parking lot is a small stand
of rare Franklinia alatamaha, or “Ben Franklin,” trees. They bloom in mid-July and haven’t
been seen growing wild since the late 18th century.
— Jennifer Miller
Sunday, June 1, 2003 M11
Quiet riverfront picnic spot
boasting wildlife viewing
and rare Ben Franklin trees
97
650
Patuxent
Sunshine
Triadelphia Reservoir
River
Sample the reds and whites at the
family-owned Catoctin Vinyards.
State
GEORGIA
AVENUE
Park
97
Brookeville
The Inn at Brookeville
Farms is a popular
spot for weddings.
650
108
Our April 27 column about the paucity of bowling alleys in the District
failed to mention the Bishop Alfred A. Owens Jr. Family Life Community
Center, which has a four-lane AMF bowling alley as well as a rooftop basketball and tennis court, saunas, a game room, a dance studio, and a barber
shop. It’s run by the Greater Mount Calvary Holy Church, a Pentecostal
place of worship. But Avery, director of the center, says you don’t have to
be a believer to bowl, and she promises that no one will try to convert you
as you try to convert a spare. The center is at 605 Rhode Island Ave. NE.
Call 202-529-2299 for info.
Horses welcome at Truffels,
a B&B next to a posh stable.
650
Quakers founded Ednor
Sandy Spring;
it was later a
stop on the
Underground
Railroad.
Great pub food (including
veggie options) at local
fave Olney Ale House
I wanted to let residents of the District
know that nestled in the heart of the
Edgewood Community in Ward 5 is a bowling alley open to the
public.
— Charlotte E. Avery, Washington
H OWA R D C O U N T Y
Ashton
108
182
97
Disney’s castle is no
match for Kensington’s
Mormon temple.
Brighton Dam
Sandy Spring
Museum’s
annual
Strawberry
Festival,
Saturday
Olney
Le Mannequin Pis:
No freedom fries at
this Belgian restaurant
FILE PHOTO/ASSOCIATED PRESS
At Brighton Dam Azalea
Garden, mist provides a
perfect respite on a hot day.
BRIGHTON
DAM ROAD
Livestock
crossing!
108
108
The 33-year-old Cricket Book
Shop sells knickknacks from
cheese spreaders to yo-yos.
198
Who came up with your name? I have a son and a daughter, and
we say “firefighter,” “letter carrier” and “flight attendant.”
Couldn’t The Washington Post do better than “Answer Man”?
So, second question, are you a man?
— Elizabeth Vandenburg, Reston
NEW HAMPSHIRE
AVENUE
28
BONIFANT
ROAD
At the National Capital
Trolley Museum, ride
the electric cars that
once ruled D.C. streets.
97
586
185
182
Isn’t it amazing what spouses will argue
about?
Disney’s Magic Kingdom castle is 189 feet
tall. The tallest of the Mormon temple’s six
spires—the one topped by an angel—is 288 feet
high. Although you can’t go inside unless you’re
Mormon, you can view the temple from the visitors center (301-587-0144).
Cambodian
Buddhist
temple
29
Answer Man is not an especially manly man, but he is a man nonetheless. He came up with the name himself and meant no disrespect to women. He hopes we live in a world where his daughters can grow up to be Answer Women, Answer People or, indeed, Answer Men.
— John F. Kelly
Colesville
650
Glenmont
95
Driver’s route
Got an idea for a road trip? E-mail roadtrip@
washpost.com.
Have a question about the D.C. area? E-mail it to [email protected]. Please
include your name and address.
White Oak Golf
Course: Watch for
deer on the back nine!
M O N TG O M E RY C O U N T Y
Local Fave
270
495
TYRA BANKS
95
495
495
29
97
Potomac
Silver Spring
e
396
495
FA I R FA X
COUNTY
650
T
TICU
NEC
CON VENUE
A
VIRGINIA
MARYLAND
Langley Park
185
1
DISTRICT OF
COLUMBIA
Start here
NEW
HA
AVE MPSH
NU IRE
E
3
GEORGIA AVENUE
Riv
r
0
MILES
When I visit the D.C. area,
I like to visit Georgia Brown’s,
Phillips [Flagship] Seafood
by the water and Old Country
Buffet in Alexandria.
Everything is about food
for me.
PRINCE GEORGE’S
COUNTY
— Reported by Tracy L. Scott
BY JEROME COOKSON FOR THE WASHINGTON POST
FILE PHOTO/ASSOCIATED PRESS
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