Last weekend, I visited Rock Creek Park in Washington D.C. It takes about an hour to drive from Frederick, and as soon as I arrived, I thought, 'Is this really a park in the city?' The lush forest stretched endlessly. I felt strangely relaxed, as if I had entered deep nature without leaving the city.

Rock Creek Park is much larger than I expected. It is said to be bigger than Namsan Park in Seoul or Central Park in New York. From the entrance of the park, various scenes unfolded under the shade created by the dense trees, including people riding bikes, jogging, and families having picnics. Especially in the morning, the sounds of birds and the wind mixed together, creating a truly peaceful atmosphere.

I parked my car for a moment and entered the walking trail, where Rock Creek flowed gently through the center of the park. As I walked while listening to the sound of the water, the noise of the city completely disappeared, leaving only the smell of earth and sunlight filtering through the leaves. It was surprising to find such nature right next to the road. There are many large and small trail courses within the park.

The 'Western Ridge Trail' has many slight inclines, making it great for exercise, while the 'Valley Trail' is gentle and perfect for a light stroll. I walked a bit of both courses, and there were small bridges and viewpoints along the way, making it nice to sit and rest for a moment.

As I took a sip of water under the shade of a tree, I thought about how nice it would be to build a house in the forest. Further inside the park, there is the Rock Creek Planetarium and historical sites like 'Pierce Mill,' which was used as a summer retreat by former presidents.

It is an old gristmill building where farmers actually ground grain since the early 1800s. Now restored, it operates as an exhibition hall, and the unique smell and wood grain of the old building made me feel like I was on a time travel.

For lunch, I had a sandwich and coffee at a small café near the park, which had an outdoor terrace where I could slowly enjoy my meal while looking at the forest. I felt a bit envious that such tranquility exists in the city. I was reminded of how well-planned a city D.C. is, having such a large park within a massive administrative city.

In the afternoon, more people were doing yoga and families were riding bikes near the park entrance. There were also young people playing guitar and singing. Watching that scene, I thought, 'This is how people in Washington D.C. spend their weekends.'

If the charm of Frederick is its slow-paced tranquility, the charm of Rock Creek Park is the opportunity to catch your breath in the middle of the city.

On the way back, the sunset shone through the car window, and the shadows of the trees stretched long.

It was a short outing, but my mind felt clear and my heart lighter. Rock Creek Park is not just a simple park; it is like a 'comma in the city.' Next time, I think I will bring my bike and ride a longer course.

A place where you can feel nature while not losing the rhythm of the city. That was Rock Creek Park.