Fairfax County – Old Dominion for Young Virginians

Wolf Trap (And Our First TRACK Trails Hike!)

I had big plans for this weekend. For the first time, National Kids to Parks Day was on my radar before it happened, and I was going to take my girls on a day trip to a state park that we had not yet visited. I had selected a park that was celebrating this funContinue reading “Wolf Trap (And Our First TRACK Trails Hike!)”

(Blue)Bell of the Ball

I love cherry trees just as much as the next Northern Virginian. Their pink and white blossoms are certainly synonymous with spring in this part of the state. Yet cherry blossoms are just one of many floral hints that winter has finally come to an end. If you happen to glance down instead of up,Continue reading “(Blue)Bell of the Ball”

The Play(ground)’s The Thing

The weather is finally starting to get warmer! While I don’t necessarily mind being out and about in more frigid temperatures, Daughter #2 has made it very clear that she is not a fan of winter. For that reason, watching the thermometer climb has gotten me super excited about returning to some of our favoriteContinue reading “The Play(ground)’s The Thing”

Northern Virginia’s Regional Parks

I consider myself tremendously lucky to live in an area that is so accessible to lush, gorgeous parkland. Northern Virginia is home to national park sites, state parks, and county parks that lend themselves beautifully to family-friendly hiking and exploration. Yet there is another category of park that should not be overlooked: Northern Virginia RegionalContinue reading “Northern Virginia’s Regional Parks”

First Day Hikes and Photo Contests

It always takes me by surprise when December 26th rolls around. All that anticipation, gift-buying, cooking, planning (well, maybe not so much planning this year), and then suddenly Christmas is over. If you’re anything like me, it helps to have something on the horizon in order to avoid falling into a post-Christmas slump. Since everyoneContinue reading “First Day Hikes and Photo Contests”

Walking on Water in Fairfax County

I may be raising a young Virginian, but I am actually a born and raised New Yorker. I grew up three miles from the Long Island Sound, and I spent hundreds of childhood evenings going for after-dinner walks at the waterfront beach and nature sanctuary near my home. It wasn’t until I went to collegeContinue reading “Walking on Water in Fairfax County”