The post-Hurricane Irene weather has been beautiful, and we spent some time yesterday exploring the Salamander Loop of the Ni River Trail in Spotsylvania. This 1.75 mile trail was completed last summer, the first project of the Spotsylvania Greenways…

The post-Hurricane Irene weather has been beautiful, and we spent some time yesterday exploring the Salamander Loop of the Ni River Trail in Spotsylvania. This 1.75 mile trail was completed last summer, the first project of the Spotsylvania Greenways…

The post-Hurricane Irene weather has been beautiful, and we spent some time yesterday exploring the Salamander Loop of the Ni River Trail in Spotsylvania. This 1.75 mile trail was completed last summer, the first project of the Spotsylvania Greenways Initiative, an organization devoted to creating a system of trails throughout the county. The trailhead is at the rear of the River Run Business Park, just off Rt. 1 across from Massaponax High School. It’s an easy trail through the woods, no huffing and puffing required, suitable for kids and dogs. Nice and shady for a summer walk. And we even saw a salamander.

Below: Shady trail, Farm Pond, wild morning glories.

We’ve also been taking walks on the paths created behind the Lick Run Community Center on Rt. 3 West, on the Mullins Farm property just past Chancellor Elementary. These paths wind through land on which the Battle of Chancellorsville was fought, and there are exhibits and signs along the way that describe how the battle unfolded. The rolling hills are dotted with mature trees, and hundreds of young trees have been planted. Save this walk for a cool day, since it’s mostly open land with little shade.

Below: Lick Run Community Center, history display, rolling farmland.

The post-Hurricane Irene weather has been beautiful, and we spent some time yesterday exploring the Salamander Loop of the Ni River Trail in Spotsylvania. This 1.75 mile trail was completed last summer, the first project of the Spotsylvania Greenways…

The post-Hurricane Irene weather has been beautiful, and we spent some time yesterday exploring the Salamander Loop of the Ni River Trail in Spotsylvania. This 1.75 mile trail was completed last summer, the first project of the Spotsylvania Greenways Initiative, an organization devoted to creating a system of trails throughout the county. The trailhead is at the rear of the River Run Business Park, just off Rt. 1 across from Massaponax High School. It’s an easy trail through the woods, no huffing and puffing required, suitable for kids and dogs. Nice and shady for a summer walk. And we even saw a salamander.

Below: Shady trail, Farm Pond, wild morning glories.

We’ve also been taking walks on the paths created behind the Lick Run Community Center on Rt. 3 West, on the Mullins Farm property just past Chancellor Elementary. These paths wind through land on which the Battle of Chancellorsville was fought, and there are exhibits and signs along the way that describe how the battle unfolded. The rolling hills are dotted with mature trees, and hundreds of young trees have been planted. Save this walk for a cool day, since it’s mostly open land with little shade.

Below: Lick Run Community Center, history display, rolling farmland.

On the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, we attended the fifteenth annual luminaria at the Fredericksburg National Cemetery, honoring fallen American soldiers. A luminary bag with candle is lit for every soldier interred in the cemetery, for a total of 15,300 flickering lights. The idea for this memorial event started with area Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and it’s the scouts who set up the bags, place the small American flags, and light the thousands of candles before dusk. I remember the days when my kids were scouts and we helped set up the site, and I’ve driven past the cemetery on the night of the luminaria before. But this was our first time walking the grounds as darkness fell. Taps are played every half hour, and despite the crowds, a respectful quiet was maintained throughout the cemetery. We avoided the large group tours that were being conducted, and found quieter areas to walk. After the usual cookouts and start-of-summer activities, the luminaria is a moving, peaceful way to commemmorate the day.

Scouts keep the candles lit:

Darkness starts to fall:

A lone Marine bugler plays Taps:

On the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, we attended the fifteenth annual luminaria at the Fredericksburg National Cemetery, honoring fallen American soldiers. A luminary bag with candle is lit for every soldier interred in the cemetery, for a total of…

On the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, we attended the fifteenth annual luminaria at the Fredericksburg National Cemetery, honoring fallen American soldiers. A luminary bag with candle is lit for every soldier interred in the cemetery, for a total of…

On the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, we attended the fifteenth annual luminaria at the Fredericksburg National Cemetery, honoring fallen American soldiers. A luminary bag with candle is lit for every soldier interred in the cemetery, for a total of 15,300 flickering lights. The idea for this memorial event started with area Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, and it’s the scouts who set up the bags, place the small American flags, and light the thousands of candles before dusk. I remember the days when my kids were scouts and we helped set up the site, and I’ve driven past the cemetery on the night of the luminaria before. But this was our first time walking the grounds as darkness fell. Taps are played every half hour, and despite the crowds, a respectful quiet was maintained throughout the cemetery. We avoided the large group tours that were being conducted, and found quieter areas to walk. After the usual cookouts and start-of-summer activities, the luminaria is a moving, peaceful way to commemmorate the day.

Scouts keep the candles lit:

Darkness starts to fall:

A lone Marine bugler plays Taps:

On the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, we attended the fifteenth annual luminaria at the Fredericksburg National Cemetery, honoring fallen American soldiers. A luminary bag with candle is lit for every soldier interred in the cemetery, for a total of…