Family skates in/around DC

Question
My wife and I plus two daughters (10 and 13) will be visiting DC, Bethesda, and Reisterstown (Glyndon), MD for a week.  I know we'll be overtired with all the museums and capital attractions, so we'll be looking for some informal skating to revive ourselves.  Probably 2 - 3 miles for the littlest, up to 10 - 15 for me would be about right.  I wondered about Rock Creek Park since its not too far from our relatives in Bethesda (the canal path isn't paved, is it?).  I would appreciate any suggestions you might have... downtown near the mall would be fine also.

Thanks in advance,
stephen

Answer
One of the best places to skate is the "Rails to Trails" that follows the C&O Canal.  On weekdays there usually is some parking near the entrance right under Francis Scott Key Bridge (bridge from Rosslyn Virginia to Georgetown.)  This is right down on the waterfront.  For a 2-3 mile run, you get down to Fletcher's Boathouse.  Lots of views of the Potomac and the Canal.  Break at Fletcher's Boathouse to get a snack and watch the boaters.  From there, you can continue on -- (mostly uphill... all the way to Bethesda ---some 10 miles I believe).  Caution... it's wider than the normal bike trail, but if it has been rainy, it's under a lot of leaf canopy and may take longer to dry out.  

Another suggestion is Rock Creek Park... Beach Drive is closed on the weekends through a 4-5 mile stretch in the middle.  Best parking is right in the middle at the first parking lot (picnic area #6) just north of Military Road and Beach Drive. From Saturday at 7AM to Sunday at 7PM, Beach drive is closed to auto traffic on the north section. With the road totally surrounded by tranquil sounds of the babbling creek and forest, the road has an aura of tranquility only disturbed by voices and spinning wheels of other weekend folks. There is a 6 mile stretch near parking lot #6 where few road hazards exist allowing skaters to cruise up and down the gentle hills at whatever speed they are comfortable with. Because this street has no cars and gentle hills, Rock Creek Park is a great place to focus on building up your skills and learning new things. Many skating teams and serious skaters use this area as their training grounds so if you want to see how they do it, park your car and bring your skates!