Michael Bergin, Northern Virginia Real Estate

The Commonwealth of Virginia is rich in both history and natural scenic beauty. From the extravagant majesty of the Blue Ridge Mountains to the poignant battlefields of Petersburg and Appomatox, Virginia is awash in things to do and see.

Whether you want to camp or hike, bike or raft, Virginia offers multiple opportunities for day trips as well as overnight adventures.

And if you prefer a pristine B&B and an elegant restaurant after a day of exploring, well that's available too.

These are just some of the titles that we found to help you plan your trip:

Exploring Virginia

• Exploring the Appalachian Trail - Hikes in the Virginia's
• Best of the Blue Ridge Parkway
• Off the Beaten Path - Virginia
• Fun with the Family in Virginia
• Waterfalls in Virginia and West Virginia
• 75 Hikes in Virginia's Shenandoah National Park
• Official Virginia Civil War Battlefield Guide
• Official Guide to America' s Historic Triangle
• Birds of Virginia Field Guide
• Guidebook to Virginia's Historical Markers

From my wife Virginia - "My family used to make the 300 mile+ trek from West Virginia to Savannah, GA every summer. There was no completed interstate then and we took advantage of the more leisurely pace to stop at EVERY historical market along the way. I credit that early experience to my life long love of history."

This week, Sept, 13-20, is Virginia Cyclist and Pedestrian Awareness Week in Virginia. A joint effort of BikeWalk Virginia and Drive Smart Virginia, the effort is aimed at making the roadways safer for everyone.

Just last year over 90 people died and 2,300 people were injured while biking and walking on Virginia Roads. Collisions can be reduced and even prevented in many instances by knowing the law and following guidelines.

KNOW THE LAW: Bicycles ARE VECHICLES when ridden on the highway -

• Follow rules that apply to motor vehicles
• Obey all traffic signs, signals, lights, and markings
• Ride on the right, with traffic
  
• Stay as far to the right as safely possible or use the shoulder
• Ride no more than two side by side
• Ride single file when moving slower than traffic
• Obey signs that restrict riding on Interstate highways and on limited access roads
• Yield to pedestrians when approaching from behind and to pass
• Use hand signals for turns and stops

• When turning, use motor vehicle turn lanes
• Keep one hand on the handlebars when carrying articles
• Don't carry adutls on bicycles not built for more than one
• Carry children securely in special seats or trailers
• Don't wear earphones in both ears
• Use white headlamps visible 500 ft. when bicycling between sunset and sunrise
• Use rear reflectors at night; if using roads with speed limits of 35 mph or more, use a red taillight visible for 600 ft.
• Be sure brakes work properly
• Stop when involved in an accident with injury or damage
• Report name, etc., to police or others involved in an accident
• Report property accidents to police for 24 hrs.
• Obey local ordiances for riding on sidewalks, wearing helments, and having a bicycle license.

As they used to say on one of my favorite TV shows, "Let's be careful out there."

Real estate trends in Northern Virginia, especially for Alexandria’s Del Ray neighborhood continue to track upward. There were 18 houses sold in August 09 compared to 15 in August 08 and the average price is up 13 percent. The only reverse in this trend is longer days on the market - an average of 48 days in August 08 but 62 days in August 09.

These numbers represent sales in zip code 22301 which encompasses the primary neighborhoods of Del Ray and Rosemont which is bordered by Rt. 1, King Street and the Braddock Rd. Metro tracks.

For more information about single family houses, condominiums and townhouses in Northern Virginia for these great Alexandria neighborhoods, give me a call at 703.927.4554.

Dan Brown mania is coming to Northern Virginia this Tuesday, September 14. Remember Dan Brown of major seller "Angels and Demons" fame? Dan Brown of mega seller "Da Vinci Code" fame?

Yes, it's the same Dan Brown back with "The Lost Symbol", the third in his adventure trilogy. In the first book, the hero, Professor Langdon raced through Rome; in the second he (Tom Hanks) raced through Paris and London; on Tuesday he will race through Washington and Northern Virginia.

Did you know that places receiving even the smallest mention in the "Da Vinci Code" received visits from thousands of devoted readers who were convinced that Brown's fiction was a convenient vehicle for true fact?

In fact, some of those places were stretched so far beyond their normal capacity that they had to hire extra staff, increase their hours of operation and add bathrooms to accommodate the crowds. One location in rural Scotland went from 40,000 visitors a year to over 175,000 a year!

Is it any wonder that Mark Tabbert, director of collections at the George Washington Masonic Temple - right at the north end of King Street in Old Town Alexandria - is perhaps not looking forward to Tuesday? Or, as he said in the Washington Post," We might have to spend the next 25 years responding to Dan Brown's fiction. That's what I dread."

But then there is the upside (we think). Tourists need hotel rooms, transportation, restaurants, etc. Who knows, maybe they'll like it here so much they'll even need housing.

Until Tuesday,

Michael

P.S. - Barnes & Noble stores are meeting Amazon's online price - they're almost giving it away!

The Washington Post does a weekly feature every Saturday where they profile a neighborhood in the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area.

This week they choose Old Town Alexandria and we thought this was a perfect opportunity to share what some folks have to say about living in this richly historic, wonderfully friendly and walkable neighborhood.

A sidebar is full of facts and figures about Old Town sales numbers over the last 12 months.. But keep this in mind - in August, while the average sales price was down, the number of sales was up 12 percent and days on the market declined from 113 in August 08 to 99 in August 09.

Want to know more about properties in Old Town? Give me a call at 703.927.4554. To read the entire article, click here.

Michael