Driving Directions to the Marina============
CONSTRUCTION
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As a reminder, there is construction on the GW Parkway. If your normal way of getting to the run is by making a left from GW into the entrance of the marina, you will no longer be able to do that due to the temporary concrete construction barriers. This also means that if your normal way of going home is by making a left from the marina to the GW Parkway, you will need to find a new way of getting home. If your normal way of getting to the marina is by making a right from the GW Parkway into the marina then you are o.k ... no changes there.
The below directions are for folks coming through DC or MD via 295/395 and the 14th Street bridge.
1. Cross the 14th Street bridge
2. Stay all the way to the right hand lane
3. Take the 10C exit towards Arlington Cemetery. Exit 10A is Boundary Channel Drive. Exit 10B is National Airport.
4. Once you've exited via 10C, follow option #1 below.
My best advice to you is to go to http://maps.google.com/ and enter "Lady Bird Johnson Memorial Park,va." If the directions have you making a left into the marina then use one of the two alternative routes shown below.
Getting There 2 Ways to Get Around the Construction:
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The descriptions for the two options below are ONLY for folks who normally make a left from the GW Parkway into the marina. If you are new to our group, chances are you will not know if you fall in the category or not so please write these directions down somewhere.
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1. First Option
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A. Drive past the place where you would normally make a left into the marina
B. Stay on the left lane. You will approach a semi-circle. Go around that semi-circle and head towards the sign that says 50 West, Arlington National Cemetery. This will loop you around to the other side of the GW Parkway
C. Once you enter 50 W, there will be a split in the road. You will see another sign that says 50 West. It will direct you to veer right. DO NOT follow that sign. Remain on your left.
D. Follow the 395 N, National Airport sign.
E. After the split, you will drive about 3/4 of a mile and see construction barriers. Make the first right that you see. That is the marina. Slow down when you see the construction barriers. The right turn will come up fast.
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2. Second Option
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Take exit 10C (Boundary Channel Drive - Pentagon North Parking lot) and head towards the Pentagon North parking lot. Pretend that you are going to the old DC Fit meeting place or the stop sign where we normally begin our runs. Once you get to the stop sign, just take the road that you normally take during the run to leave the Pentagon. Once you cross the bridge, take the first exit to the right. That exit will put you on the side of the GW that will enable you to turn into the marina. Take a look at the map (http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1553890) that I've drawn up so that you can have a more clear picture of what I'm talking about.
Make sure that you follow the speed limit religiously when you are on the grounds of the Pentagon. It's strictly and heavily enforced.
Below are the directions taken directly off of the Columbia Island Marina's web page
http://www.columbiaisland.com/directions.htmOff of the George Washington Memorial Parkway
Arlington, Virginia Columbia Island Marina is located on an island in the Potomac River, and you can reach it from the George Washington Memorial Parkway (which runs along the Potomac River on the Virginia side). This marina is located north of Reagan National Airport, and is just north of the 395 bridge that passes over the Potomac River. It is very near the Pentagon building. You can turn into this marina's driveway and parking lot no matter if you are driving north or south on the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
GETTING ON THE PARKWAY
The G.W. Memorial Parkway is accessible from all major travel routes including I-495, I-95, and I-66.
From Points South of Washington D.C.:
If you are coming from an area SOUTH of Washington DC:
· Get onto I-95 going North.
· When you reach the "Beltway", follow signs for I-495 [I-95] towards Baltimore. You will now be headed east towards the Potomac River. Go about 7 miles.
· At exit 177B, follow onto US-1North [Richmond Hwy] / Alexandria / Old Town Alexandria
· Turn RIGHT (East) onto SR-236 [Duke St] for 3 blocks.
· Turn LEFT (North) onto (S) Washington Street (this turns into the GW Parkway)
· Keep STRAIGHT onto George Washington Memorial Parkway.
· You will pass Reagan National Airport on your right. Keep going straight. You will pass another park on your right (Gravelly Point). Get in the left lane.
· Columbia Island Marina will be on your LEFT. Immediately after short bridge you will see a sign showing you where to turn. Turn into the marina and park in the right side of the parking lot (but not in the "Trailer Only Section").
From Points North and East of Washington, D.C.
· Get onto I-495 [I-95] towards Alexandria VA. This is the "Inner Loop" of the Beltway.
· Right after you cross over the Woodrow Wilson Bridge (over the Potomac River), take Exit 177-A. Hard right u-turn exit ramp
· Turn LEFT at traffic light heading north onto S. Washington St (this turns into GW Parkway)
· Keep STRAIGHT onto George Washington Memorial Parkway.
· You will pass Reagan National Airport on your right. Keep going straight. You will pass another park on your right (Gravelly Point). Get in the left lane.
· Columbia Island will be on your LEFT immediately after short bridge. You will see a sign showing you where to turn. Turn into the marina and park in the right side of the parking lot (but not in the "Trailer Only Section").
From Points Northwest of Washington, D.C.
If you are coming from western Maryland:
· Get onto 495 South towards Northern Virginia
· Take Exit #43 "George Washington Memorial Parkway" and go south towards Washington. Keep RIGHT to stay on Ramp towards George Washington Memorial Pkwy
· Continue on the parkway for about 12 miles until you reach Columbia Island, on your RIGHT. You will see a sign showing you where to turn. Turn into the park, and park in the right side of the parking lot (but not in the "Trailer Only Section").
If you've never been to the marina before, please allow yourself an extra 20 minutes just in case you get lost. One wrong turn or exit along the GW Parkway and you will be driving in circles for awhile. Let this be your official warning :)
