My sisters & I always seem to repeat the same day in different variations when we are together.  Fun, outdoor activities followed with a delightful treat of meal.  Our perfect day!

So, here are a couple of our typical days (and our favorites)….

Capital Crescent Trail and Lattes:  Connecting Bethesda and Georgetown, the Capital Crescent Trail is great whether you prefer walking, biking, or running.  The trail totals roughly 11 miles one way, but depending on where you pick it up, mileage varies.  Make sure to allocate enough time to break the trip and stop for a treat before heading back.  It can get really busy after work and on weekends so be prepared.  My sisters and I usually use it as a means for a delicious latte.  We bike from Bethesda down to Georgetown, get a latte at Baked & Wired or Patisserie Poupon, and then head back to Bethesda.  Definite recommendations at Baked & Wired – any of their quiche, the ginger biscotti, and their lattes of course (iced or hot)!  Definite recommendations at Patisserie Poupon – Latte Macchiato, the almond croissant, and the Crudité Salad…definitely get the Crudité Salad!

The Billy Goat and cupcakes:  Located in Potomac, MD off the C&O canal, the Billy Goat is a fun hike with a climb up a rock face and rock scrambling.  My sisters and I always just do section A which is 1.7 miles and has most of the climbing of the three sections.  We never have enough time to do the whole thing, because we  want to fit too much into one day.  The actual Billy Goat trail is accessed by the towpath of the C&O canal (mileage varies depending on at which point you enter the park).  I also think it is a fun trail to do some running on.  You just have to be careful because there are definitely a lot of rocks and potential for tripping.  After a quick hike/run, we like to swing by Fraiche Cupcakery in Bethesda, MD.  They really do have the best cupcakes in town (or at least that we have found and we do look).  Fraiche Cupcakery makes all their cupcakes with natural and local ingredients when possible.  They have an assortment of daily flavors, as well as a list of weekly specials, with a savory cupcake flavor offered on the weekends.  Definite recommendation – the strawberry cupcakes are probably the best strawberry cupcake I have ever had from a store or bakery.  It tastes like homemade, from scratch baking.  Honestly, it is hard to go wrong there with any of their flavors.

*Note that the park service does caution hikers that the Billy Goat trail can be dangerous and it is not suitable for all hikers.