Sonja Adams

Less than a week is left in the 2008 Election Campaign...do you know where you need to go to vote in Loudoun County?

You can go to the website below and enter your county, name, date of birth and the last 4 digits of your social security number to search for your polling location. You will also be able to verify if you are registered to vote and get directions to the polling location where you will cast your vote.

https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/PublicSite/Public/FT2/PublicLookup.aspx?Link=Registration

Don't forget to vote! You can make a difference!

Looking for a little terror for Halloween? Are you able to handle the dark woods and the unknown along your candle lit trail? Are you bold enough to enter dark, web infested buildings surrounded by bones of the previous trail goers?

Then Markoff's Haunted Forest may be just the place for your Halloween adventure this year. Voted every year as one of the top Haunted events in country, this is the best $25 spent for the year ($20 for children).

I went two years ago and it was the thrill of my life...this year topped anything Halloween related that I have ever done....entering the dark trail, you will never know when you are being followed or someone is right over your shoulder. And as you leave darkness to see light, take care of what awaits you...I don't want to spoil the fun....but I have to tell you more...there are two trails so you can go more than once...crossing wooden bridges puts you out in the open...wear your bullet proof vest...you just never know if you will be shot....or chased by the chain saw men...I'll give you a hint...just when you thought you can handle the terror, you will think you are going to die with visit from the chain saws...

Markoff's does such a great job putting this together...release forms need to be signed and you can download them ahead of time here - Click here for Waivers. Once you pay your entrance fee, you can buy some funnel cake and sit out by one of 3 bonfires to keep warm...if that doesn't suit you, then for extra money, you can attempt the death jump, the Bat Flight, Haunted Hayrides, Spyder Walk or get your Fortune told...you won't feel like the wait is long because there is so much to do and see...also on Halloween night, dress up if you want to enter the contest...

I can't recommend this annual event more....its easy to get to for Virginia Folks...just take Whites Ferry in Leesburg and once you cross into MD, take a left on Martinsburg Road...Markoff's Haunted Forest has signs out now on Route 15 where you need to turn to catch the Ferry...

My only recommendation is not to take young kids to this...I'm not kidding when I am telling you its scary...horrifying even! But soooo much fun!

Just thought I'd post a little introduction to the two "big" pets who live at my home away from home in Aldie, VA. This is Dillon (bay gelding with big blaze) and Fortune (steel gray yearling filly). These two are what helps me stay sane in crazy times in this business....I can drive out to the farm, hop on Dillon for a ride and everything is better.

Dillon is 3/4TB and 1/4 Clydesdale...he started out eventing (show name Dillon Withit) and we are members if the US Eventing Association, Commonwealth Dressage and Combined Training Association (CDCTA) and Virginia Dressage Association (VADA). He's not doing dressage with some big hopes for his future.

Fortune is my yearling filly who was imported from Canada last year as a weanling...she's just growing up and hopefully will be ready to ride in the next year or two...we have yet to see what she wants to do....I bought her for dressage, but she seems to like to jump on her own so who knows...

I've been involved in the horse world for over 20 years, know the fox hunting territories and am often seen at shows locally...if not riding, then taking pictures of my friends horses or sales horses for one of my trainers. Previous to having my horses on the private farm where they are at now, I co-managed a 20 stall boarding facility and have been involved in self care barns.

If you are looking for a horse property, give me a call....I'm familiar with the prime locations in VA and probably know the area you are looking in.

The Broadlands Community is a protected wildlife habitat lying within Ashburn, VA. It is conveniently located close to the Dulles Greenway, Dulles Shopping Center, and has outstanding amenities.

For the children, the Broadlands Community offers a swim team named the Piranhas, many tot lots, biking trails and family events such as the upcoming Broadlands Halloween Parade on October 26^th. In addition the Broadlands Nature Center offers year round programs for the kids and a place to visit turtles, doves, fish, frogs and a friendly snake who loves to be fed. The Nature Center offers children a place to learn about waterfowl, fishing, worms and countless other natural creatures living in Broadlands.

For the adults, Broadlands has a wonderful variety of places to eat out and socialize such as Clydes at Willow Creek, The Original Steakhouse and Sports Theater which is probably the all time best place in Ashburn to watch a sporting event, Glory Days (another great place to catch a game), Bonefish Grill, and many Chinese and Tai Restaraunts...way too many to list..But you won't go hungry. Shopping is also close by with both a Harris Teeter and a Safeway within the community, not to mention Walgreen's, hair salons, and pet food stores to name a few.

As of Oct. 25^th there are 27 homes on the market for sale in Broadlands and 5 rentals. 11 homes are under contract and in October 4 homes have sold.

Below are the homes which sold in the Broadlands Community so far in October.

Tucked up just west of Bluemont, VA off of Blueridge Mountain Road and slightly east of the Appalachian Trail, hikers find the welcome signs pointing them in the direction of the Bears Den Trail Center. At the lodge, the hikers can find a nice shower, bunks, a kitchen and a place to catch up on email. The kitchen has two stoves, and is fully stocked with cooking utensils, pots, pans, dishes, silverware and other much needed items.

The lodge was originally built in 1933 by a physician named Huron Lawson and his wife Francesca Kaspar who was an opera singer. The large common room boasts a beautiful stone fireplace and is now a place for hikers to relax and eat.

Bears Den is now owned by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC) and is managed by the Potomac Appalachian Trail Center (PATC). The trail center is not well known but offers a central location for hikers on longer hikes and day hikers to enjoy the trails. There are some short hikes surrounding the trail center which range in length from about a 1/4 mile to a mile...or you can reach the Summit Trail which is about 3 miles long. The views from the overlooks are incredible....

As you can see, the views from the overlook are absolutely breathtaking.

Bears Den is located about an hour west of Washington, DC off of Route 7 in Bluemont, VA. Other close by points of interest are Harpers Ferry, WV, the Virginia State Arboretum which is off of Route 50, and Great Country Farms located in the historic village of Bluemont where you can pick your own fresh vegetables, feed the farm animals or go to the annual Pumpkin Patch festivities. In addition, the Blue Ridge Center is also worth visiting...it contains almost 900 acres with approximately 12 miles of hiking trails, a historic homestead and a farm market selling lamb, beef, poultry and eggs.

Fall is the perfect time of year to visit Bears Den!

www.myVADreamHome.com