Rivercrest Follow Up

As the second smallest neighborhood in Arlington County, Rivercrest surprisingly has a lot to offer when it comes to recreational activities and community initiatives. This neighborhood is home to Gulf Branch Nature Center, a preserve that ultimately touches the Potomac, and takes up a considerable amount of land. Inside the Gulf Branch boundaries is a building that is half-zoo and half-museum. There are owls, bees, snakes, and frogs, as well as exhibits that talk about the old indigenous peoples of the region and their way of life. Next to this building is the reason why I would never leave Rivercrest: a Blacksmith shop stands tall and is used almost daily by citizens who take pleasure in shaping metal. During my documentary I happened to walk in on the Blacksmiths busy welding machete guns and crosses. They are really nice people, spending most of their time in the electricity and internet-free shop. Who even knew blacksmiths still existed?

I would highly recommend visiting Gulf Branch Nature Center. Military Road splits it in half- one one side is a path that necks its way down to the Potomac River, where people fish and (sometimes) swim in the dirty water. On the other is a host of more trails, along with the old Blacksmiths and a museum/zoo.