Great Day Out: Windmill Hill Park

Windmill Hill Park is one of our favorite places in Old Town Alexandria; and yes it's as lovely as it sounds. Perched between South Union and South Lee Street it overlooks the Potomac River so you get a wee breeze from the water. The trees, picnic tables, playpark and basketball courts are always well kept and the wildlife is fab - that's where Miss O met her first frog! There's ample street parking and a Starbucks down the road for adult refreshment.

So grab a picnic and head to the water and squeeze some more time of this summer weather in September!

Virginia Clouds

Rest is not idleness, 

and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, 

listening to the murmur of the water, 

or watching the clouds float across the sky, 

is by no means a waste of time. 

John Lubbock, The Use Of Life

There is something so whimsical about clouds - not the clouds filled with an angry storm but the ones which float lazily across a vibrant hue. Last weekend central Virginian country skies where the perfect canvas for a nebula display. It was stunning! It invited rest, a breath and gratitude. I'm off to find me a cloud and some grass to lie on as this summer draws to a close.

Tasty Tucker: Uncle Elder's Family Restaurant

We spent last weekend in central Virginia and on our way south we stopped for lunch in one of our favorite towns, Culpeper. The town is full of great eateries and shops and a wee wander off Main Street lead us to a new-to-us BBQ joint - Uncle Elder's Family Restaurant.

It was a glorious day so we sat outside on the very southern deck - it was perfect for a known-to-be-messy 20 month old. And as we were the only ones outside (there were plenty of others inside) Miss O could run up and down and wheel her car and train all over the place.

The staff were very friendly - they liberally shared food recommendations and family photos, and showered affection on Miss O.  Even the chef came out to see if we had enjoyed our lunch!

I ordered the smoked chicken sandwich with fries and The Beloved got his favorite pulled pork. Both were served quickly, at the perfect temperature and the meat was deliciously smoky and moist.Their original BBQ sauce was perfectly balanced and a great accompaniment to the yummie crispy fries.

I loved the decor, the food and welcome at Uncle Elder's - we'll be looking for an excuse to go back very soon!

Saturday Digest: Farmer's Market

One of our favorite Saturday morning activities is wandering and eating our way around the Old Town Alexandria Farmers' Market. From 7am to 12pm, year round it fills Market Square in front of City Hall. The produce, artisan woodwork, jams and honeys, kids clothes, local meats and eggs are all delicious. We love that this wonderful market is so close to home!
  

Great Day Out: Green Spring Gardens 2

Yesterday I told you about the children's space at Green Spring Garden. Today you get to see that it has something for everyone!

"Green Spring Gardens is a "must visit" for everyone in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. It's a year-round gold mine of information and inspiration for the home gardener. It's an outdoor classroom for children and their families to learn about plants and wildlife. It's also a museum, a national historic site that offers glimpses into a long, rich history with colonial origins. 

There's something here for everyone: a wooded stream valley with ponds, a naturalistic native plant garden, over 20 thematic demonstration gardens, a greenhouse filled with tropicals, and a well-stocked horticultural reference library. Visit the Garden Gate Plant Shop and our two gift shops where you'll find gift ideas ranging from books and gardening gloves to china and wind chimes. Green Spring will educate, inspire, and delight you. The gardens are always changing, so come back often for new ideas."

The horticultural education center with its shops, library, art exhibits and friendly staff is a welcoming air conditioned escape from the Virginian sun. There are expanses of grass for running and rolling; wooded pathways and inviting seats; gorgeous planting and wonderfully educational programs for all ages.

Green Spring Gardens is free to visit - there's a suggested donation at honesty boxes in the parking lot of $2 per day per vehicle or $20 a year. That generosity and openness flows throughout the gardens - it's a wonderful gem of a garden, so spread the word!

Great Day Out: Green Spring Garden's Children's Garden

Last Friday The Beloved was off for the July 4th holiday. As far as weather allows, family days off always include a picnic - there's nothing quite like eating outside! After a stop at Panera Bread for their Strawberry and Poppyseed Chicken Salad we headed to one of our favorite places -  the children's garden at Green Spring Gardens.

 

There are picnic benches and tree trunk seats right beside the Children's Garden. Miss O loves its open invitation to touch, dig and investigate.

Dotted around this garden are fun wildlife habitats that you could copy at home - the area hums with butterflies, bees, critters and birds.

They have done a great job using texture, smell and color to draw children to nature. Every time we go we discover something new - it's such a treat!

Green Spring is a hidden gem - so pack your sandwiches and fill a flask - we'll see you by the bird cafe!

Great Day Out: Theodore Roosevelt Island

Looking to escape to a wooded wonderland a stone's throw from DC? Then take GW parkway to Theodore Roosevelt Island (or Teddy Roosevelt Island as the locals call it).

Maintained by the National Park Service the island is actually a living memorial:

"In the 1930s landscape architects transformed Mason’s Island from neglected, overgrown farmland into Theodore Roosevelt Island, a memorial to America’s 26th president. They conceived a “real forest” designed to mimic the natural forest that once covered the island. Today miles of trails through wooded uplands and swampy bottomlands honor the legacy of a great outdoorsman and conservationist." 

We headed off with a picnic on an overcast weekday morning and at times it felt like we'd the whole island to ourselves. We sidestepped a few joggers and exchanged pleasantries with a couple of dog walkers, and we spotted one family of tourists; but other than that it was us, the trees and the birds... Ok to be honest the island is, at certain times, on the flight path for DCA, and Rosslyn's skyscrapers and Georgetown's hubbub are right there. However, on the forest paths you can block out the hum of the city and the mechanical birds, and lose yourself for a little while on the short trails.

There are three short trails around the island - the Swamp Trail, Upland Trail and Woodlands Trail. They're not marked on the ground which is really quite freeing! We just wandered happily - going whichever direction the wildlife, sunlight or Miss O's feet, led us. Towards the center of the island is Memorial Plaza with it's imposing statue and large quotation columns of Teddy Roosevelt. Unfortunately the decorative fountains and moats on the plaza have been drained for repair - I'm sure they'll be stunning when they're fixed.

It's a great morning out with a toddler - there is plenty of shade, lots of nature to explore and few others to navigate or distract. Picnic spots are limited - there are some nice spots right on the Potomac River - romantic for adults, asking for trouble with a little one. So just bring a rug and perch on a fallen tree at the edge of the forest. Perfect!

New neigborhood gem: Stomping Ground

With a toddler and a limited budget for babysitters, finding family friendly places for brunch has become our eating out mission. Our latest tasting adventure was a new Southern-inspired restaurant in Del Ray, Alexandria, called Stomping Ground.

 

It's marketed as "your casual neigborhood place" which prides itself on "Seasonal first. Local and organic whenever possible. Buttermilk biscuits always". And it certainly lived up to its aims.  The vibe is relaxed with friendly staff and customers. It's industrial, parred down decor; varying seating options; mix and matched crockery; draws hipsters, young families, and retirees alike to breakfast Tuesday through Sunday, 7am to 3pm.

I ordered the Avocado Smash - a perfectly poached egg on top of yummie avocado mixture all hidden in a heavenly buttermilk biscuit. Accompanied by a sweetened ice tea it was a NOVA taste of the South. Delicious!