Exploring Luray Caverns!

A couple weekends ago my family and I checked out the Luray Caverns in Luray, Virginia. The caverns are located in the Shenandoah Valley about 80 miles west of Washington D.C. The kids and I had never experienced the caverns before and I wasn't sure what to expect.

Once we stepped inside the main building we were sent through a very unassuming doorway. A set of stairs took us to the beginning of the caverns. Here we were instructed on how to use our headsets they give out. At certain points along the pathways there are markers indicating you can listen to audio about the caverns. The pathways are made of brick and they wind down and around through cavern. The "Dream Lake" was breath taking and is actively replenished from rain water that finds its way into the cavern.

I wasn't sure that the kids would be super excited to see the stalactite and stalagmite formations but they loved being in the cavern or "tunnel". The cavern is lit up beautifully and I was in awe of its natural beauty. After the cavern you can take your ticket and check out the Car and Carriage Caravan Museum. You can also purchase tickets to run through the Garden Maze. Picnic tables are available near the parking lot if you packed a lunch and they also offer a cafe and ice cream shop.

Back to civilization......Take me out to Nationals Park for some baseball!

Ashburn Park aka "The Dinosaur Park"

The Ashburn Park located in Ashburn, VA is known as the Ashburn "Dinosaur" Park to many parents. This park is located in Loudoun County off of Partlow Road in the heart of Old Town Ashburn. It has four different sets of equipment for all different age groups with pictures of dinosaurs on them. The park has lots of shade on a hot day and a porta potty is located near the entrance to the park.

A pavillion is located in the middle of the park and is great place to have a picnic lunch. They added a new piece of equipment for the older kids and it has a great scavenger hunt game and rock wall. If you walk further into the park there is also a small creek and trails. The trail eventually leads to the W&OD Trial and backs to another community trail system.

Great park with lots of things for the kids to do. Ashburn Park is definitely in our Top Ten of parks in the Northern Virginia area!

Check out my next write up on the Luray Caverns....

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, VA!

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens is located in Vienna, Virginia. Tucked back in a neighborhood off of Beulah Road, this park is a great place to take the kids or just to take a leisurely stroll. The visitor center is set up to offer education on conservation and plant diversity. The park has two ponds filled with koi fish and no shortage of turtles. If you are a bird lover there are plenty of different species flying around.

The main walking paths are perfect for strollers and wagons. Around the perimeter of the park are wooded hiking/equestrian trails.  A small kids area offers a sandbox and a fun sitting area under a trestle. This area is conveniently located right next a pond so the kids can see turtles and large bull frogs.

We are definitely coming to this Fairfax County park again. The kids loved walking around looking at all the wildlife and pretty flowers. There was plenty of shade either on the paved trials or back on the hiking/equestrain trails. A picnic area is located outside the park near the parking lot since food is prohibited inside the park.

Check out my next write up on Ashburn Park.....

Hidden Oak Nature Center in Annandale, VA!

Hidden Oaks Nature Center is located in Annandale, Virginia off of Route 495 in Fairfax County. The nature center has 1/3 mile of clearly marked trails to take the kids on. Small informative signs are located through the trials for the kids to read.

Inside the nature center there is no shortage of things for the kids to do. A few reptiles and amphibians are featured in exhibits for the kids to view. One exhibit features costumes so the kids can dress up like their favorite animal. After the nature center you can walk down to the play equipment and picnic tables to eat some lunch. The play equipment wasn't in the best shape but my kids didn't care.

If you live in the area this is a great place to take the kids to learn about nature and burn off some energy.

Next stop.....Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, VA!

Historic Clifton, VA & Hemlock Overlook Regional Park

On our way to Hemlock Overlook Regional Park we stopped for lunch in Historic Clifton, Virginia located in Fairfax County. Located off of Main street in Clifton you'll find original 100 year old homes and churches. This beautiful little town is tucked away in the woods where  you'll  find quaint little store fronts, several old churches and a few different types of restaurants. It's a great place to just stop, park and walk around on a nice day.

As you come into town you cross over active railway tracks. An old caboose is parked where the old Deveraux (Clifton) Station use to stand. My son thought this was neat to climb up on and look around. According to the history sites this station is what helped Clifton become the town it is today even though there is no stop here anymore.

The surrounding wooded areas of Clifton are a mix of old historic homes, horse farms and estate manors. Driving through the middle of the area you would never know Route 66 and a Dulles Airport were to the north and easy access to Route 28 to the west.

Once we were done with lunch we headed over to Hemlock Overlook Regional Park. The park serves as an outdoor education center run by Adventure Links. Adventure Links provides education and instruction to both private and public groups. The hiking and equestrian trails in the area are open for public use and you need no prior consent to use the trials. A small parking lot is provided just outside the entrance to the trail. The trail system that you follow is known as the Bull Run-Occoquan Trail and a map is provided near the parking lot.

It was a great place to hike around with the kids. Strollers and wagons would have a hard time getting through the trails but if you're on foot or horseback it would be a beautiful time spent surrounded by nature.

Next stop....Hidden Oak Nature Center!

Burke Lake Park

Today we checked out Burke Lake Park located in Fairfax Station, VA. The 888-acre park located in Fairfax County is absolutely gorgeous. The lake is surrounded by many trails that can accommodate walkers, joggers and bike riders. Fishing and boating are allowed on the lake and rowboat rentals are available at the marina.

The park includes a marina, golf course, driving range, volleyball courts, campgrounds, and play equipment. The kids will enjoy the miniature train that  runs throughout the park. It is a 10 minute ride that winds through the trails around the lake. A carousel, miniature golf and ice cream parlor are great attractions for the kids.

The park is open from dawn to dusk all year round. Park facilities are open on the weekends starting the last week of April. Between Memorial and Labor Day the park facilities will be open 7 days a week with weather permiting.

Today when we had visited the trees hadn't completely filled out yet. Once the trees are finally filled out the trails will be completely in the shade and a nice walk during the summer months. We will definitely be returning to either camp with kids, ride the train or just a nice walk through nature.

Next trip Hemlock Overlook in Clifton, VA....

Poll: What Features Are Important To You When Purchasing A Home?

Purchasing a home is very large decision. A lot of thought is put into what type of home you would like to purchase including items that are a must. What is important to you?

 A. Large Yard
B. Two-Car Garage
C. Home Size
D. Short Commute
E. Other

**Please place your vote in the comment section**

Amalthea Ridge Homestead in Great Falls, VA!

Northern Virginia is filled with local homestead owners. My good friend Sarah is one of them! She lives in Great Falls, Virginia and owns and operates Amalthea Ridge Homestead. Growing up in Ohio she was always surrounded by farm culture. She is an awesome cook and very creative in the kitchen. Fresh eggs and milk on site were the goal last spring and her first purchase included chickens and turkeys.  Five months later eggs were laid, now she has plenty of eggs for cooking and baking. The ambitious person that she is she decided to purchase two female Alpine goats for the purpose of producing goat cheeses and yogurt. Her daughter Stella named the goats "Babe" and "Baby" (her favorite movie is Babe the pig hence the names). I didn't know this tidbit of information but apparently you need a female goat to have kids to start the milking process. After having both females bred 5 months later she has her first buck born on 4/6/2011 at 11:00 p.m. weighing in at 12 lbs. Meet "Penske"!

"Penske"

Proud Mama-"Babe"

If you ever run into Sarah you'll have to ask her how "Penske" got his name. I promise you it's a very funny story. In about two weeks she'll be able to start milking "Babe" for extra milk and start creating different types of goat cheeses and yogurts. In the future she hopes to start a Goat Share Program where people will purchase a share of the goat. In return they will receive fresh goat milk. The money paid will support the  feeding and maintaining of each goat.

UPDATE!!! Now Amalthea Ridge Homestead offers bath and beauty products made from goats milk including lotions and soaps! Check out their product you won't be disappointed!

Theodore Roosevelt Island

Today we checked out Theodore Roosevelt Island in Arlington, Virginia for the first time. Located off of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, only a footbridge can take you to the 2 1/2 miles of  trail over the island. A small parking lot along the GW Memorial Parkway gives you direct access to the footbridge. The island was originally owned by a gas company in the '30s until it was sold off to The Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Association. In 1967 is was dedicated to Theodore Roosevelt and became an official memorial and part of the National Park Service. A statue of the 26th president is erected including two large fountains. The fountain portion of the memorial is currently undergoing restoration.

Theodore Roosevelt Island

The trails allow you to walk, jog or bike all over island. Large trees gave us plenty of shade to avoid getting the kids overheated. Restroom facilites were also available at certain points on the island. This national park gives you great views of Georgetown and the Washington D.C. Monuments all while being surrounded by nature.

Next stop.....Burke Lake Park!