Places to Go/ Things to Do - Longbranch Nature Center (Arlington, VA) & Random Links

I know it's a Monday, but I'm not sure how busy we'll be with our spring break stay-cation, especially once the temperatures warm up again. So I thought I'd post random links today instead of on Friday.

Last week, we had a great time at the creek off Longbranch Nature Center, which is one of my absolute favorite places once spring rolls around.

Happy spring everyone! Don't forget to check out last week's awesome new post on 5 Hours 'Til Bedtime.

RANDOM LINKS:

* 16 amazing camping locations in Virginia. Also, the best stargazing in West Virginia.

* I am OBSESSED with this home makeover.

* North Korea on an iphone.

* This looks like a cool magazine for kids.

* Could you give up your house/apartment/condo and live in a van? I'm not sure I could manage it, but then again, a life on the road would be pretty incredible.

* An abandoned Disney park reclaimed by nature.

* 8 Tips for Taking Amazing Photos (usually I find posts like this rather generic, but these are really good tips. plus the $.99 Skillshare subscription is all sorts of awesome.

* Local readers - doesn't this look like SO MUCH FUN?

* Surfing the arctic circle.

* I was a Whole Foods dumpster diver. There is something disturbing about the amount of food we throw away.

Places to Go - Trying to Find Spring at Long Branch Nature Center (Arlington, VA)

I've posted about Long Branch at least two or three times in the past, so I probably sound like a broken record by now (what a funny phrase - how old must one be to even remember what broken records sounded like?). But as soon as the weather warms (or, should I say, for the one day of warm weather before another snow-filled cold spell occurs) this is our go-to weekday place.

A short path next to the parking lot follows the stream - so kids can throw stones in the water, collect sticks, and/or try to jump from rock to rock. Further, across from the water, a wonderful nature play space has a sandbox for playing, a rock pile for climbing, and a tree stump path for jumping (and/or drum playing). And the nature center is a quick walk up the hill.

If you feel like meandering further, the path next to the stream leads to a dog park and (eventually) to a huge field with a small playground. As far as adventures go Long Branch is always a win win - perfect for a short picnic lunch after school or for a few hours exploring outside.

For more info, click here. The Nature Center also hosts classes and family campfires on weekends.

Where have you been exploring lately?

Places to Go - Long Branch Nature Center and Trail in the Early Fall (Arlington, VA)

Lately, we've been spending a lot of time at Long Branch Nature Center (previously posted here) - both inside and outside. A lovely paved walking trail meanders next to a small stream, where T can spend hours (literally hours) throwing rocks into the water. The trail also has a nice side area with stick houses that the kids enjoy playing in. And a larger nature-centered play area is currently under construction, as of last week they have a path made of tree stumps and a small sandbox (bring your own toys).

On good days we bring Coco the dog with us and eventually walk about 0.5 miles (at most) to the Glencarlyn Dog Park, which is also right off the paved path that originates by the nature center.

I love when I can exhaust the kids and the dog in one outing. Plus, once the leaves start dropping, the fall foliage is beautiful at Long Branch.

Where have you been going lately?

RANDOM LINKS:

*I think this is my new favorite song.

*10 Contemporary Cinematographers You Should Know.

*Wake up early on Saturday morning and watch a meteor shower - this looks awesome.

*I can't wait to read this.

*10 of the weirdest/unsexiest "sexy" halloween costumes you've ever seen.



T and his friend, J, went around and around the tree stump path. Over and over again.

Things to Do - A Week Of Rain

It rained all last week. Constantly. A sunless week. Navigating the rain proved tricky at first, especially with kindergarten beginning. Since we walk F to school now, I had to master three raincoats, three umbrellas, and three wet little people. Though at first we felt like hostages to the weather, eventually we all adapted. The girls road bikes through the drizzle while T and I splashed in puddles. Dan continued to ride his bike to work, arriving home soaked but happy.

On Friday morning, while both girls attended school, T and I explored the trail next to Long Branch Nature Center and watched newly-formed waterfalls cascade down the hills. Despite the downpour, T turned to me and said "I like this mommy. I don't want to go home." And neither did I. The world always looks so beautiful in the rain, you notice the oddest little things - different shades of green, the reflection of rocks on the pavement, the sound of trees.

During law school I lived in London for a semester and last week brought back memories of that time, how it felt to carry an umbrella everywhere, sometimes showing up at places soaked to the bone. It felt oddly good. And the pubs always seemed more special, more intimate, when you knew there was a storm outside. Some days it seemed like the weather created instant friendships, as we'd stay to drink a little longer, hoping the downpour would end.

Thursday night I met a new friend out for drinks and we had a great time talking and watching the rain fall outside the restaurant. We discussed how nice it would be to have a monthly gathering of area bloggers. Anyone interested? Let me know. Rain or shine, it would be nice to meet some of you in person.

Happy Monday everyone! I'll have pics from our vacation on Mackinac Island up tomorrow.

Places to Go - Longbranch Nature Center (Arlington, VA)

Ugh, winter. On the upside, Virginia rarely receives heavy snowfall. On the downside, this means looking at lots of ugly brown landscape during the colder months. So on days when the temperature rises above 40 degrees, we often head to Longbranch nature center. The trail next to the nature center follows a creek, with lots of rocks to climb on. Even in the dead of winter, the creek maintains a peaceful and relaxing type of beauty. Some days my kids just spend the afternoon playing by the creek, but when we're feeling up to it we'll walk about half a mile down the trail to a little playground and a big field, both of which are perfect for younger and older kids (T loves the red airplane pictured above) with lots of open sun to keep us warm on colder days. After the playground, we'll head back to the nature center and warm up in the playroom for awhile, which includes plastic dinosaurs, real tadpoles, and a playhouse.

When we visited Longbranch a few weeks ago, I brought along my favorite cards from Lynn Gordon's 52 Activities in Nature (52 Series). One of the cards asked the question "if you could be anything in nature what would you be and why?" F announced she'd choose to spend her days as a leaf on the ground "so I could make a crunching sound when people walk on me." P wanted to be "a tree so I could move my branches up and down." When F told her (in the bossy voice F always uses when acting out her big-sister role) that trees can't move their own branches P replied "then I'd be a magic tree." Nice job, P. (For other books suggestions involving kids and nature, check out this post).

In addition to a great nature center and trail, Longbranch also provides wonderful children's classes (topics range from dinosaurs to rainforests to birds and frogs). Click here to download The Snag for Wee Ones, where upcoming classes are listed.

What about everyone else? Any good outdoor recommendations for winter? I'd love to hear them!