Weekends in Virginia

Despite we have some of the worst traffic in the country, and housing prices will make you sick, there is a lot to be happy about living in Northern Virginia. The proximity to Washington, DC appeals to many of us, as does the high turnover rate of jobs, based on government and military transfers, but those are only a few of the benefits.

For a history buff, such as myself, this area is an endless source of early US history. The old seaport of Alexandria, founded in 1749 by Scottish merchants, is my favorite town in the country http://visitalexandriava.com/. I've lived here since 1998, and and impressed by it each time I visit the downtown area. Every street, church and building has some historical significance and if you look closely, you'll find the plaque or marker telling you which colonial founder or civil war officer slept there! A walk along the Potomac waterfront is a history lesson for any child, from the colonial founding all the way up til the making of torpedoes during WWII http://torpedofactory.org/. Throw in a snow cone and a balloon animal, you'll have some pretty contented children.

Running through the center of the city is the George Washington Parkway, as you drive south, you'll drive along the Potomac shoreline, through some of the most sought after addresses and zip codes in the country. Large estates line the shore, and quiet neighborhoods cover the hillside. The parkway ends at the front gates of George Washington's Mt Vernon estates. http://www.mountvernon.org/ Any person with an interest in history, colonial life, or the founding of the country will be amazed and inspired by this location. I have spent hours walking the property, and trying to imagine how it must of looked at the end of the 18th century. The on site museum will give you a sense of pride in your first President, and a wish to learn more.

As with most tours, the last stop is the gift shop, and rightly so. No visit would be complete without buying a new book, or stocking up on some mature Virginia wines. I like to visit during the holiday season, to get some new decorating ideas or to feel a connection to how Christmas must have been spent in the 1700's.

I'll digress for now, and let you draw your own conclusions. If and when you travel to Washington and are wondering "what is across the river?", make the trip to the "fun side of the Potomac" and see what it's all about.