A choice location and woodsy feel make Marlan Forest (and its conjoined sister development Marlan Heights) a highly desirable address.

Set just across the George Washington Parkway from the Potomac River, Marlan Forest gives its residents easy access to the Mt. Vernon bike path for walking, running, biking and wildlife viewing.  It is bordered on the west by Ft. Hunt Road, which, along with nearby Route 1, provides abundant shopping opportunities.  Wilson Bridge is a stone's throw away, the Parkway connects commuters to Alexandria and other points north, and the area is served by the Huntington Metro stop.

The "forest" in Marlan Forest is more than just a name; it is a fact.  Builders took pains to spare as many trees as possible, and so today's residents are blessed with the luxury of towering old growth trees in and around their yards.  Homes tend to be beautifully landscaped, adding to the lush, green feel of the development.

Most of the homes were built in the '50's--a variety of ramblers, Colonials and Cape Cods, avoiding the cookie-cutter feel of some developments.  Prices range from $500K to just over $1 million, with an average price of about $800K.

Buyers are also drawn to the Fort Hunt/Mount Vernon area by the excellent Fairfax County Public Schools, county services and safety.

Athletes, would-be athletes and nature lovers should head south from Old Town Alexandria.

Stretching along the Potomac River from the southern border of Old Town to Mount Vernon Estate is the Mt. Vernon bike path.  Eight miles of asphalt allow locals and visitors to walk, run or bike while enjoying river views and wildlife sightings.  Bald eagles, ospreys, blue heron, cormorants, egrets, ducks and geese are among waterfowl commonly spotted along this corridor, while deer, groundhogs and fox sightings are frequent.  Combine cardio and conservation by following a nature trail through Dyke Marsh.

 Along the bike path is a fitness course and several points of access for canoes or kayaks.

Businesses in the nearby Belle View shopping center allow you to rent a bike, tone up at Curves or take karate lessons.  Adjacent to Belle View is the Mt. Vernon Recreation Center, which provides Fairfax County residents with an indoor pool and ice rink.  Farther south on Route 1 is a Gold's Gym.

Local communities such as River Towers, Porto Vecchio and Belle View also offer their residents tennis, swimming and basketball facilities as well as their own in-house gyms.

River Towers is located near the George Washington Parkway and the Potomac River. Here's a link to some of the many bike trails, jogging paths and hiking trails in the surrounding park system.

The trails and roads at River Towers tie into a network of scenic routes that follow the river from Mount Vernon (5 miles south) to National Airport (5 miles north) and thence to Washington DC and beyond.

The nearby bike/jog paths are closed to motor vehicles..

On the bike paths

Serious bikers often ride on the Parkway itself, but recreational bikers prefer the easy bends of the local bike trails. Some residents actually use these trails to bike work or to the Metro.

Bikers, joggers and bird watchers enjoy trails.

 

The bike trail weaves between the Parkway
and the River through woods and meadows.

Many bikers enjoy a trip to the marina.

Heading south, one will encounter Westgrove first. Westgrove's homes, many built in the fifties and sixties, are sturdy, brick homes with tasteful, colonial touches. Like much of New Alexandria, Westgrove lies below the uplands, but still well outside most of the River's floodplain.

Villamay homes are perched on the bluff, and many have wonderful vistas to the River and beyond the Potomac to Maryland. Villamay homes are often split level characterized by enormous rooms with a thoroughly modern feel.

Marlan Forest, as the name implies, is a bit more wooded than Villamay and Westgrove. The lots are large and most have towering hardwoods. The entire neighborhood is quiet, elegant and highly desirable. Check here for a look at sales and prices in Villamay, Westgrove and Marlan Heights.

Top posted speed on the Parkway is 50 mph, and cruising speeds rarely exceed this limit. On the other hand, even during the worst of rush hour, speeds are rarely less than 45 mph. Those who are unfamiliar with traffic in the national Capitol region might not fully appreciate what an accomplishment this is.

To put these numbers in perspective, posted speeds on I-495 (the Beltway) are generally 55 mph.  Traffic on the Beltway often exceeds 65 mph, but during rush hour, there are several points where the traffic slows to less than 25 mph. The Beltway is bumper to bumper madness squeezed between concrete sound-walls, while the GW Parkway is an easy cruise along the Potomac. Is it any wonder why I love the GW?

The GW Parkway winds along the banks of the Potomac River, starting near Great Falls in Mclean and then travels downriver all the way to Mt. Vernon, George Washington's Mansion. The parkway is an ideal drive for a tourist or visitor who would like to see some of the best views and sites the area has to offer. 

A broad well-maintain bike and jogging trail runs the length of the GW Parkway, and is well used by residents and tourists alike.

The GW Parkway runs from Mt. Vernon to Mclean and Great Falls through the Alexandria and Arlington. At it's southern end it meets Old Mount Vernon Highway. Upriver, it is connected by the American Legion Bridge to a continuation in Maryland on the Clara Barton Parkway.  The GW Parkway provides excellent views that are impressive to even a jaded commuter.

A commuter will find this is one of the best routes around the nation's Capitol.  As a result of this, or because of this, some of the priciest and most exclusive neighborhoods in Northern Virginia are found along the GW Parkway. Here's a sampling what's currently on the market in some of these neighborhoods along the Parkway.

• Mount Vernon
• Belle Haven, Belle View, New Alexandria
• Old Town Alexandria
• Rosslyn, North Arlington
• Mclean

Belle View is connected to Alexandria and the DC Metro area not by a highway, or an interstate, although it is relatively close to the Beltway and the interstate. Instead Belle View commuters will likely use the GW Parkway. The blog entry hyperlinked in the previous sentence explains to area newcomers why the parkway is so special.

Belle View Shopping Center, at the heart of Belle View, has all of life's needs: a supermarket, gas station, banks, post office, Radio Shack, ABC store, fast food, restaurants and more. If that isn't enough, Belle View is just a mile or so from Rt. 1's suburban corridor, where one will find the usual fare of Lowes, Target, Chili's, TGIF's, Outback, Applebee's, fast food galore, Marshalls, Staples and more. Belle View is also a short bike ride or a long walk from Old Town Alexandria, a destination in itself.

Belle View is very close to the Belle Haven Marina. The marina has a boat launch and slips. Visitors may rent canoes, kayaks, rowboats and sailboats here. There is also a water taxi from the marina to National Harbor and beyond. Along the river, bikers, roller-bladers and joggers enjoy the paths.

Proximity to the River is a huge benefit of life at Belle View but it also brings a small measure of uncertainty.  Like every River, the Potomac will flood sooner or later.  Two hurricanes have directly impacted the area since it was built in 1948.  As a result, in 1969 and again in 2003 the Potomac flooded parts of New Alexandria.  Homes closest to the river were most impacted, but many Belle View condos were spared any damage.  The floodwaters receded as quickly as they came, and life returns to normal at Belle View.

Noon on Tuesday, January 20, 2009, Barack H. Obama will be sworn in on the steps of the Capitol as the 56th President of the United States of America. The City of Alexandria is expecting a record number of visitors and preparations are underway for our guests and friends.

Jumbotron in Market Square

At the heart of Old Town is Market Square. Market Square is at the City Hall building, 301 King St. It is a brick courtyard and gathering point for city residents. The Presidential swearing-in ceremony and parade will be on Jumbotron (a giant TV) live on Inauguration Day at Market Square from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Area Road Closures and Bridge Restrictions

The City of Alexandria states: "Road and bridge closures and security restrictions around the U.S. Capitol and the Inauguration parade route will make traveling by car directly from Northern Virginia to Washington, DC impossible beginning at 2 a.m. on January 20. The City urges residents---whether attending the Inauguration, going to work, or staying in Alexandria---to make plans and stay informed."

So far, the road closures and bridge restrictions generally begin at 2 AM on Tuesday January 20th (early on Inauguration Day). At around that time, personal vehicles will not be allowed to enter Washington from Northern Virginia. Residents and visitors in Northern Virginia are urged to take public transit to the Inauguration activities. If you insist on driving, drivers will only be able to enter Washington by driving in from designated Maryland routes. Road closures and detours:

• Traffic on I-395 traffic heading toward Washington will be diverted at the Springfield interchange (exits 170B and 170C) onto 1-495 North (Inner Loop) or I-495/95 East (Outer Loop). Southbound 395 remain open to traffic.
• The 14th Street Bridge, Roosevelt Bridge, and Key Bridge will be closed to general traffic. Only authorized vehicles will be allowed to cross these bridges. The Memorial Bridge and the Chain Bridge will be open to pedestrians only.
  
• North Washington Street at Montgomery Street to Reagan National Airport will be closed.
• The George Washington Memorial Parkway will be closed in both directions from I-495 to the 14th Street Bridge.

I-95/395 HOV Schedule

HOV on I-95/395 will begin at 3 AM, after 5 AM only buses and authorized vehicles will be permitted to use the I-95/395 HOV lanes from Route 234/Dumfries to Washington. The HOV lanes will reverse at 8 PM with restrictions lasting until 9 pm or later.

Metro and VRE on Inauguration

As federal, state and local agencies continue to develop plans for the Inauguration, information on road closures may change. Please check this page for updates.

Alexandria VA and Washington DC are expecting record turnouts for the 56th Presidential Inauguration. The public is urged to use public transportation and to arrive early. The best way into Washington DC from Northern Virginia and Alexandria on Inauguration Day will be Metrorail and Virginia Railway Express. Metro claims they will have public parking spaces available at all Northern Virginia Metro stations. It will be interesting to see how this is accomplished at some stations. For travel around the area on Inauguration Day, Metro is probably a good choice. To plan your trip via the Metrobus or Metrorail, use Metro’s Trip Planner; for bus travel within Alexandria, visit the Alexandria Transit Company (DASH) system, or ride the Free King Street Trolley, which runs from the Metrorail King Street Station to the City’s Waterfront.

For more detailed information please check the Secret Service Announces Security Information for the 2009 Presidential Inaugural (PDF)

For more travel options to, and within Washington, D.C., and other important information, please check out CarlyleDistrict.com.

Walking

Persons walking from to the Inauguration from Alexandria have a number of options, including the Mount Vernon Trail. A less hearty walk would start at Arlington National Cemetary. You may wish to Metro to Arlington National Cemetary and walk the Memorial Bridge into DC. WMATA has produced and provided a commemorative walking guide and map.

Bicycling

The Washington Area Bicycle Association (WABA) will be operating two free bicycle valet parking areas on January 20, including one at the Jefferson Memorial. Visit WABA for more information including maps, bike rental information and valet tips. The City of Alexandria's Online Bike Map can prove useful as can the Regional Bike Path Route-Finder. Bicycles will not be allowed on Metrorail all weekend long, beginning Saturday, January 17th. Bicycles will be allowed on MetroBus throughout the Inaugural weekend.

Alexandria Events

• Torpedo Factory Art Center will be feature several inauguration related events.
• Alexandria African American Heritage History Museum will be have special holiday hourse and a tribute to the Presidential Inauguration and Martin Luther King Day.
• Gadsby's Tavern Museum and the Stabler-Leadbeater Apothecary Museum, two of Alexandria's oldest and most historic sites will be open with special holiday hours, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., for Martin Luther King Day.
• The Servant Forge Humanitarian Inaugural Ball in Alexandria is scheduled for 8 p.m. until midnight at the Torpedo Factory Art Center (105 Union Street).

Here's a list of other Alexandria Inauguration events.

Crystal City Metro Station is located is at 1750 South Clark St. Arlington, VA 22202 on the Blue and Yellow lines. First train departs at 5:02 am Huntington. The last train departing at 12:08 am Huntington. The station is part of the underground mall-office-apartment complex near the Crystal City shops. Also, Virginia Railway Express is part of Crystal City with has stops from Fredericksburg and Manassas which run Monday through Friday. There is no parking at the station.
Crystal City trains leave exactly 2 hours later on Saturdays and Sundays.
There are 10 bike racks available.
(202) 637-7000

The Eisenhower Metro stop is located at 2400 Eisenhower Avenue. It is across the street from the Hoffman Town Center and entertainment complex. Eisenhower station is just inside the Capital Beltway (I-495) at the Telegraph Road exit. The Eisenhower Metro is served by the Yellow Line.

Eisenhower is a two platform station. Access to both platforms is provided to two escalators and an elevator. Bike parking is available with 10 bike racks and 6 lockers in the station.

The first train departs at 4:51 am Huntington and the last train departs at 12:37 am Huntington. Service became available to the public on December, 17, 1983. The REX bus provides service nearby at the corner of Swamp Fox Rd. and Eisenhower. Eisenhower is served by DASH buses 2, 6, & 7.

Metrorail fares are posted on the WMATA site. Fares are discounted for children and seniors.

The Eisenhower Metro serves the Carlyle District and is convenient for workers at businesses in and around the Hoffman Center. The Eisenhower Metro is also useful for many residents in the condos of the Carlyle District. For some residents, the Eisenhower Metro is more convenient than the King St. Metro.

The Eisenhower Metro is in the 22314 zip code, which is generally considered Old Town Alexandria, but there is very little that is "old" anywhere near this stop in the Carlyle District.  The Carlyle Towers and several other new structures dominate the skyline here. For more information about Carlyle Towers, or the condos of the Carlyle District, please contact Will Nesbitt of Condo 1 Alexandria at 703 765 0300.

About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Will Nesbitt Realty and maintains Condo 1 Alexandria. Will specializes in condos, townhouses and single family residences in Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Crystal City, and Kingstowne. Will resides in Belle Haven Estates just outside Alexandria VA in Fairfax County.

Oronoco Bay Park is a 4.5 acre Alexandria City park is located on the Potomac River at 701 North Lee Street. It has many entry points, the most obvious are at either the Madison or Pendleton Streets entries or from the Wythe Street Plaza. The plaza entry is approximately in the center of the park and there is also a sidewalk entry with trees and turf area between the Sheet Metal Workers of America building and the United Way building.

The park was once known as "Texaco Bay" and before that it was owned by Standard Oil Company which was owned by John D. Rockefeller. However, the City acquired the property (and changed to Oronoco Bay Park) in the early 1980's. Historically, the Alexandria area was inhabited by Indians when Captain John Smith sailed up the Potomac in the mid 17th Century.

The park host several festivals and events including the annual "Red Cross Waterfront Festival"---the largest Red Cross fund raiser in the United States. Private concerns may reserve and rent the park for their events as well.

This park is part of the linear park system along the Potomac. People can walk, jog or bike along the river path and enjoy the many sitting and picnic areas. There are wooden sun decks out into the river and a wooden boardwalk path that connects the path to the point where the bay and river meet near the Rowing Facility building.