Checkmate

Checkmate: Some speed chess and lunch with a view.
(Click to enlarge)

Continuing with 100 Strangers, I give you three strangers and an extra. Mike, Victor, and David were playing speed chess the other day outside the Brown Bag, but it was the guy in the window who first caught my eye.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential/Janet Kincaid.

Private / Public

Colorful kayaks for rent at Jack's Boathouse on the Potomac

Along the banks of the Potomac River at the foot of Georgetown are several boating clubs and rental outfitters. Some, like the Potomac Boat Club, are private. Others, like Jack's Boathouse, rent kayaks and canoes to the public. Several universities in the area have rowing teams and their crews have boathouses on the river, including Georgetown, George Washington University, and American University.

The members-only Potomac Boat Club next door to Jack's Boathouse.

Other clubs and crews include Capital Rowing Club, DC Strokes, Thompson's Boat Center, Georgetown Day H.S., Georgetown Visitation, Gonzaga College H.S., Sidwell Friends, and Woodrow Wilson H.S., to name just a few.

Jack's Boathouse next to Key Bridge

If you don't want to row, you can sit on Jack's dock and enjoy
the view of the river, Key Bridge, Roosevelt Island, and Virginia on the
opposite bank of the Potomac.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 08/08

Kayakers

Kayakers drifting along near Roosevelt Island

As hectic as Washington, D.C., can be, there are opportunities for recreation that allow for a little bit of escape. Case in point: kayaking. These ladies are going for the relaxing, easy variety. Further up the river, there are falls and whitewater frequented by more adventurous kayaking types. Some folks choose sculling and all of the universities with rowing teams practice and race on the Potomac.

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 6/08

East Potomac Park: Sailboat

Underway on the Potomac River

Sailing in the sunset...

I can't decide which of these two pictures I like best, though I love all the elements in the bottom one: the sailboat, the seagulls, the plane in the background landing at National Airport, the U.S. Air Force Memorial below the sun, the sunset itself... What do you think? Which do you like best?

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 5/08

East Potomac Park: Cyclists

Cycling in East Potomac Park

East Potomac Park is a popular spot with cyclists. They can ride a one-mile circuit in relatively light traffic on two lanes running one way. Here are just a couple of pictures of folks making the circuit.

Cycling at sunset

Photo copyright: D.C. Confidential, 5/08