Bethany Phillips, MBA

Caledon Natural area is a gift for everyone who visit but especially for those who live close by. This Saturday November 6 it will be even better than usual as the Caledon Friends and the King George Animal League are sponsoring the Caledon Wine and Art Festival!

Hour are from 10 to 4pm and the cost is a reasonable $10 if you are tasting wine. If you are visiting sans vino the admission is free! Check it out and support these two groups! Only about 25 minutes from Fredericksburg, it is a lovely drive down Rte 218 or Take Route 3 to Route 206.

Wineries represented:

Wineries included Oak Crest (King George), Cooper Vineyards (Louisa), Roger's Ford Farm (Summerduck), James River Cellars (Glen Allen), Vault Fields (Kinsale) and Mattaponi (Spotsylvania).

See you there!

I had a chance to go off the beaten path in Stafford County VA this past weekend. The Friends of the Rappahannock organized a hike in the Crow's Nest area of Virginia. If you are unfamiliar with this project, it is a gorgeous peninsula in Stafford County VA. This ~3,000 acre parcel was purchased by the State of Virginia and the County of Stafford to preserve it forever.

This area off the beaten path in Stafford County VA is not open to the public at this time. To see this special place requires an special tour. Ours was provided by Paul Clark of the Department of Conservation and Recreation. He provided fabulous information about the plants and animal life and spoke to us, as we hiked, about the current problems the site is facing, such as invasive plants and run-off/grading issues.

If you want to experience this special area, check the DCR website or the Save Crows Nest site. The following day may be your chance:

Field day on Crow's Nest, November 7th The Department of Conservation and Recreation will hold a field day on Crow's Nest on Saturday, November 7, from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm, with hiking trips leaving at 9:30 am and 1 pm. Reserve a spot by calling (804) 786-7951. DCR now also has a web page on Crow's Nest. We hope to see you on November 7th.

I love the logo for the group called Save Crow's Nest. Very Cool the way they created the "S"

150 years ago, more than 10,000 slaves sought to find freedom in Fredericksburg VA. Now, to document that effort and provide us with an opportunity to experience it, the Fredericksburg-Stafford-Spotsylvania Sesquicentennial Committee has launched the Trail to Freedom in Fredericksburg and Stafford County VA.

As noted on the website, trailtofreedom.com,

Presently, the Trail to Freedom encompasses sites in the City of Fredericksburg and Stafford County, Virginia. This region is located midway between Washington, D.C, and Richmond, Va. However, there are slaves known to have traveled from Caroline and King George Counties, and points farther away, traveling to this region on their journey to freedom. Many of the slaves that passed through here took steamships from Aquia Landing in Stafford County, arriving in Alexandria, Va. or Washington, D.C. It is envisioned that as research unfolds new evidence and the trail grows, trail markers will be placed in these connected communities as well.

Check out the website for trail maps, driving directions, historical interpretation and more.

Just a quick note so you have some of the July 4th weekend events in Stafford VA and Fredericksburg VA!

Dont see what you are looking for? The Rappahannock Regional Library has a great list of fireworks on their website! Check it out here!

Enjoy Everyone!

SATURDAY, July 3rd

9:00am - Future Stafford Civil War Park tour. Meet @ Brooke VRE Station. 540-658-6324

10:00am-4:00pm - Street Festival @ Downtown Fredericksburg. 5-mile race, parade, entertainment, crafts, food, antique cars, children's activities, dunking booth.

10:00am-5:00pm - Fabulous 4th @ Ferry Farm 540-370-0732

11:00am-9:30pm - Stars & Stripes Weekend @ Potomac Pt Winery. 540-446-2266

11:30am - River Raft Race @ Falmouth Waterfront Park. 571-527-6517

6:00pm - Musical: "The Complete History of America (Abridged!)" @ Riverside Dinner Theater. 540-370-4300

7:00pm - Star-Spangled Concert @ Colonial Forge High School. 804-363-3132

SUNDAY, July 4th 11:00am-6:00pm - Stars & Stripes Weekend @ Potomac Point Winery. Live music 1pm-5pm. 540-446-2266

1:00pm - Musical: "The Complete History of America (Abridged!)" @ Riverside Dinner Theater. 540-370-4300

6:00-9:30pm FIREWORKS 6:00pm - Gates open @ Pratt Park (CARPOOL)

7:30pm - Music by Salvation Army Youth Corps 8:00pm - UMW Orchestra 9:00pm (or dusk) - Fireworks @ Pratt Park

Seems like there are always free things to do in Fredericksburg VA! No need to stay home and wonder how you will spend your weekend!

Don't have a home? I can help with that - happy to show you properties that meet your criteria - just give me a call search for homes in Fredericksburg VA or Stafford VA

Otherwise... consider the following options:

1. First Friday - Free concerts downtown Fredericksburg - tonight 4 June is jazz/raggae band TRANSMITTERS

2. Antique Car Show at the Fredericksburg visitor center - Cool cars on display! 8am - 3pm

3. The National Museum of the Marine Corps opened the doors to three new, major galleries on June 5th, 2010. he new galleries chronicle the legendary founding of the Corps in 1775, the Civil War and the U.S. global trade expansion in the 19th century and World War I. The new galleries also include a special interactive exhibit on John Philip Sousa, where visitors can experience a concert of their choosing by the President's Own Marine Corps Band.

4. Free concert SUNDAY at Chatham Manor on the Lawn - what a great way to spend the evening - starts at 7p!

5. June 5-6 Celebrating the Rappahannock River Located at Old Mill Park. Multiple events include: the 30th Whitewater Mid-Atlantic Canoeing and Kayaking Championships, Rappahannock River Easement Celebration, Paddle for a Cause, and Scout Challenge Race.