About Spotsylvania's Lake Anna

For those of us within an easy commute of Lake Anna State Park it is wonderful to have the opportunity to visit and take part in a number of activities that are both fun and educational.

(For those of you who live too far away for a day trip come back as I'll be writing a post soon about the great camping facilities at the park and the cabins you can rent.)

If you have not done so as yet, take advantage of this great resource and plan to spend some time in this beautiful natural setting.

Be sure to take a look to see which of these many offerings you would like to attend. You may find it difficult to choose. If that's the case, simply sign up for everything and have a great time.

May 23, 2009 Storytime in the Woods 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Reading is fun for all ages, especially when it involves nature. Each week the program will feature a nature themed book and will involve children and their parents in hands on learning through skits, songs, etc. Register the day of program. Community groups (daycare centers, YMCA, scouts, etc) are encouraged to register in advance by calling the park. FEE: $3 per person, $8 per family. Location - Meet at the park's Visitor Center Phone - (540) 854-6245

May 23, 2009 Panning For Gold 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Try your hand at panning for gold as park interpreter gives a panning demonstration. Register the day of program at the visitor center. FREE Location - Meet at the park's visitor center. Phone - (540) 854-6245

May 23, 2009 Goodwin Goldmine Tour 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Tour the ruins of the Goodwin Goldmine as you learn the history of gold in Spotsylvania County. Please register the day of tour. FEE: $3 per person, $8 per family. Location - Meet at the park's Visitor Center Phone - (540) 854-6245

May 23, 2009 Super Saturday Programs 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Learn about the natural components of Virginia's outdoors through basic 101 instruction. Please register the day of the program. FEE: $3 per person, $8 per family. Location - Meet at the park's Visitor Center. Phone - (540) 854-6245

May 23, 2009 Campfire 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Make memories around the fire with stories, skits, songs, family fun and of course s'mores (bring your own roasting stick, marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers). No registration needed, meet ranger at the campfire circle. FREE Location - Campfire Circle (btw the campground & visitor center off the paved trail) Phone - (540) 854-5503

May 24, 2009 Nature Adventures 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Learn the sports of orienteering, GPS and geocaching as you and your family go on a nature adventure. Please register the day of the program at the park visitor center. FEE: $3 per person, $8 per family. Location - Meet at the park's visitor center. Phone - (540) 854-6245

May 24, 2009 Moonlight Tour 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Enjoy the night sounds and learn about the moon's phases. Please register at the park office on the day of the tour. Fee: $6 per person. Location - Meet at Park Office Phone - (540) 854-5503

May 25, 2009 Historical Hikes 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Enjoy the park scenery while hiking on one of the park's historical trails. These hikes will be easy to moderate. Please register the day of the tour at the park office. FEE: $3 per person, $8 per family. Location - Meet at the park office. Phone - (540) 854-5503

May 25, 2009 Goodwin Goldmine Tour 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Tour the ruins of the Goodwin Goldmine as you learn the history of gold in Spotsylvania County. Please register the day of tour. FEE: $3 per person, $8 per family. Location - Meet at the park's Visitor Center Phone - (540) 854-6245

May 30, 2009 Basic Paddle Tour 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Take a relaxing paddle and capture a glance of the lake's wildlife. Basic canoe instruction and safety will be provided. Regiser at the park office on the day of the tour. Fee: $5 per person. Location - Meet at the Park Office Phone - (540) 854-6245

May 30, 2009 Panning For Gold 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Try your hand at panning for gold as park interpreter gives a panning demonstration. Register the day of program at the visitor center. FREE Location - Meet at the park's visitor center. Phone - (540) 854-6245

May 30, 2009 Goodwin Goldmine Tour 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Tour the ruins of the Goodwin Goldmine as you learn the history of gold in Spotsylvania County. Please register the day of tour. FEE: $3 per person, $8 per family. Location - Meet at the park's Visitor Center Phone - (540) 854-6245

May 30, 2009 Campfire 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Make memories around the fire with stories, skits, songs, family fun and of course s'mores (bring your own roasting stick, marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers). No registration needed, meet ranger at the campfire circle. FREE Location - Campfire Circle (between the campground & visitor center off the paved trail) Phone - (540) 854-5503

Lake Anna State Park is one of Virginia's special spots. Visit and Enjoy!__________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim, REALTOR®.

Contact Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web site http://lakeannacountry.com/.

Do you find that you are sometimes resenting these rainy, cloudy days? March and April, here in the Lake Anna area, have been somewhat rainy. I'm loving it.

We have had a number of rainy, cloudy days and I'm delighted. Someone complained to me about it today and I replied that we need every drop of rain we can get. We had almost no snow this winter with the one and only bonafide snowfall happening on March 1.

Living at a lake, a drought creates not only the usual problems with water shortage, it drops the water level and we end up with docks/boats way too visible. It doesn't excite potential buyers much when they see "beaches" where there weren't any before. And, believe me, it created angst among waterfront sellers and their REALTORS®.

This has only happened a couple of times since the lake was established in 1972 but you just have to live through it once to say that's enough.

As the winter months passed and very little precipitation fell, I began to wonder if we might be facing another possible "dry" summer. It is still too early to tell, however, it is very reassuring every time I hear the weather report proclaiming rain in the forecast. Raindrops keep falling on my head and I love it.

A number of waterfront property owners extended their docks out further into the lake several years ago when the water dropped to very low levels. It had gotten to the point where folks were not able to get their boats down off the lifts. They were left high and dry. Thank goodness, we have only had a couple of summers where this has been a significant problem.

So, when you see rain in the forecast let it bring a smile to your face. Look forward to Lake Anna filled to the brim just waiting for all of us to jump in for our usual water activities.

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If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim, REALTOR®.

Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Contact Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web site http://lakeannacountry.com/.

The Commonwealth of Virginia has a top-rated state park system. Without a doubt it is one of the best in the country. In 2001 the National Sporting Good Association's Sports Foundation Inc. it the ppresented it with their presigious gold medal and state park award as the #1 state park system.

However, the budget to support Virginia's state parks ranks low among the 50 states. It is amazing what can be done with the help of volunteers.

Lake Anna State Park has a very active group of volunteers that supplement the tremendous job the park staff is doing. In another post I will provide additional information on this group of volunteers called, Friends of Lake Anna State Park.

If you live within a comfortable driving distance from Lake Anna you may find this is the perfect opportunity to enjoy some time outdoors in a beautiful environment while benefiting one of Virginia's special parks. You will also get a chance to work along side some really special people.

From time to time I will share volunteer opportunities with you. This is one that is coming up shortly. If you or someone you know might be interested in helping out please get in touch with Cathy Corker, Kris Jarvis, (their contact information is below) or with me.

"Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience" Field Day Planning Workshop
Friday, April 3, 10: a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Lake Anna State Park - Visitor Center

This workshop is designed for environmental educators, teachers and volunteers who will be providing field based learning stations to intermediate and middle school audiences at state parks or similar venues. Participants will receive Project WET's "Healthy Water Healthy People" Educator's Guide. Sessions will include watershed mapping, water quality monitoring, riparian buffer survey, historical land use patterns, litter analysis and fish populations. Managing large groups and other field trip tips will be covered.

To register for this free program, provide full contact information to Cathy Corker, Chief Ranger at 540-854-6245 or cathy.corker@dcr.virginia.gov or Kris Jarvis at kdjarvis@deq.virginia.gov Participants should dress for field work and bring a bag lunch.

Anyone interested in volunteering is welcome to attend the training. Other volunteers are needed to assist with the day festivities --photographer, group hosts, station monitors / assistants or just have fun learning with the students. If interested please email Cathy at cathy.corker@dcr.virginia.gov Cathy is the Chief Ranger, Education Interpreter for the Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation. We are indeed fortunate to have Cathy assigned to Lake Anna State Park.

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If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim, REALTOR®.

Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Contact Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web site http://lakeannacountry.com/.

One of the tenets of being a professional REALTOR® is knowing your market.

How can someone possibly help their client buy a property in an area that is unknown to them 75-100 miles away in a very different environment?

I often ask myself this question when I receive calls from agents some distance away asking for information on property here at Lake Anna. They have never been here and yet plan to work with clients interested in buying at the lake.

One day I received a request from an assistant to a "high producing" Northern Virginia agent. I was asked to do a CMA for Lake Anna. Lake Anna is 17 miles long with over 250 miles of shoreline and pproximately 120 subdivisions. We sell waterfront homes, water view homes, access homes, waterfront lots, water view lots, and water access lots with or without assigned boat slips.

Would you like to do such a Comparative Market Analysis? Would it tell you very much? Would you be able to help your clients with this information?

I suggested to the assistant that I would be very happy to accept a referral. That seemed like the logical step to me. The assistant said the agent preferred to work with her own client.

Who's best interest was paramount on that agent's mind?

When I first became an agent I worked in Northern Virginia. I had been living there for several years and there was still quite a learning curve getting to know the area. It is huge. My office was located in what is known as inside the beltway, fairly close to D.C. It was the area where many people chose to start their search for a home. At that time most of the jobs where in D.C. or close in. Little by little we would venture further out when they realized they were able to buy much more home for the money.

After moving to Lake Anna I experienced another learning curve. This time I had to learn about the lake. Lake Anna has it's own story. Then I had to learn about surveys, septic systems (alternative and conventional), about wells (drilled and bored), the building permit process, and other things that were more unique to Lake Anna. Just getting to know where the nearest towns and shopping areas were as well as medical resources and schools took some time.

There definitely is a case to be made for referrals and they do not necessarily have to be just across state lines or outside a MLS.

Do you provide the best service for your clients even when that may mean not working with them?

Please think about that the next time someone tells you they are interested in an area you do not know.

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If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim, REALTOR®.

Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Contact Kate at 540-226-1964 or lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web site http://lakeannacountry.com/.

Copyright © 2008 By Kathleen "Kate" Elim, All Rights Reserved. *Should REALTORS® Actually Know the Areas They Sell?*.

After reading the following post by Lizette Fitzpatrick, http://activerain.com/blogsview/770679/A-November-Evening-At-The-Kentucky-River-Palisades, I was almost hesitant to share my Fall Fotos of Lake Anna but here goes.

If (seriously, no pressure Best Friend) you would like to see more pictures of Lake Anna please check out one of my other posts, http://activerain.com/blogsview/781559/My-Active-Rain-Eyes-Got-an-Eyeful, and you will see why I had such a good time that afternoon.

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If you or someone you know is thinking of buying or selling property at or near Lake Anna, Virginia please contact Kathleen "Kate" Elim, REALTOR®.

Kate lives at Lake Anna, knows Lake Anna, loves Lake Anna, and specializes in Lake Anna area real estate.

Call Kate at 540-226-1964 or by e-mail at lakeanna.kate@gmail.com. Be sure to check Kate's Web site at http://lakeannacountry.com/

Copyright © 2008 By Kathleen "Kate" Elim, All Rights Reserved. *Fall Fotos of Lake Anna*. Photos by Kate Elim.