I'm sorry, but I'm not very familiar with the area (I'm writing from upstate NY), so I'm a little unclear about your first paragraph. Are you saying that the closed section of Governor's Bridge is part of the Defense Highway route or of Charlie's route? Are you saying it's an advantage (because no motorized traffic?) or a disadvantage (b/c you have to cross a barricade) for whichever route its on that the bridge is closed ? Are you saying that overall Defense Highway is kind of your preferred route?

I'm not in too much of a hurry; my trip is at the beginning of October. A map would be nice, but I'd be happy with enough route definition to be sure I understand the route. For instance, I put your suggested route, as I understand it, into Google Maps, and generated a quasi-cuesheet, below. Is this the route you were describing? Any potential navigation issues that aren't addressed there?

Thanks,
Eric


[From Annapolis] Turn [onto] onto MD-450 W
[directions for staying on MD-450 omitted]
Turn right onto Carter Ave
0.4 mi
Turn right onto Lanham Severn Rd
0.1 mi
Turn left onto 94th Ave
0.5 mi
Turn left onto Good Luck Rd
3.7 mi
Continue onto Paint Branch Pkwy
0.4 mi
Turn right toward Anacostia Tributary Trail System/NE Branch Trail
128 ft
[directions for staying on Anacostia Tributary Trail System/NE Branch Trail omitted]
Turn left onto U.S. 1 S/Rhode Island Ave
1.0 mi
At the traffic circle, continue straight onto Rhode Island Ave
Entering District of Columbia
1.1 mi
Slight right onto Hamlin St NE
0.8 mi
Turn left onto 10th St NE
0.2 mi
Turn right onto Evarts St NE
371 ft
Turn left onto Reed St NE
0.2 mi
Continue onto Washington Pl NE
279 ft
Turn right to stay on Washington Pl NE
0.1 mi
Take the pedestrian overpass
0.1 mi
Turn left onto Metropolitan Branch Trail
0.7 mi
Turn right onto R St NE
0.8 mi
Turn left onto 3rd St NW
0.2 mi
Turn right onto P St NW
0.6 mi
Turn left onto 11th St NW
Destination will be on the left