This DC area 1700 acre nature reserve and historic park (our nation’s 3rd national park) is chockablock full of wildlife, old buildings and monuments, and its popular attractions for hiking, biking, horseback riding, boating, field trips, sports, picnics, learning and fun are well worth your time. The Sarah Whitby Site and Pierce Mill are recommended historic attractions. The Planetarium was closed, but the park extends to Georgetown, passes the Washington National Cathedral, the National Zoo and includes nearby parks, one with a memorial to Khalil Gibran.

But my brother suggested we go to Fort Stevens, at the edge of the park near the Maryland-DC border, one of many Civil War era forts. We think most people don’t realize that confederate troops attacked DC, but there’s a small cemetery where over 40 fort defenders were buried. As depicted in bronze relief, the only time a US President has been under direct enemy fire was here, when confederate sharpshooters shot at Lincoln as 20,000 troops attempted to take our nation’s Capital. A young officer (long before he joined the Court) issued a sharp order to the easily identifiable President.