Outdoor activities outside DC.

Here again is that time of the year that I anticipate with great enthusiasm.  I love those couple of precious weeks where spring weather is truly present and we can enjoy the pleasure of wondering around, not in the city but in the suburbs.  Yes!, as much as I love going to downtown DC or doing outdoor activities inside the Capital, the truth is that sometimes I just need to escape from it and get in touch with the lay-down attitude and greenery that can only be found in the countryside.

With that idea in mind, a couple of weeks ago, while gazing through the NY Times, I came across the weekly edition of Bill Cunningham’s column.  The short video was about street fashion At the market.  Well, that day my family decided to visit the Spring Farm Tour in Loundon County, VA, just over one hour from DC.  So I thought it would be great if I could take Bill Cunningham’s idea and capture fashion at the farms.  I have to confess that the result wasn’t what I expected and that I couldn’t find any tenue that captivated my attention.

Although I failed in my pretensions, I have to admit that the trip was worth it just by the beautiful scenery and the delicious lunch we had.

Market Burger Fries and Shakes in Purcellville, VA, delicious food, locally sourced.

The next weekend, we wanted to explore the countryside of Maryland, so following the suggestion of a close friend, we decided to head to the Seneca Creek State Park, in Gaithersburg, and hike the Clopper Lake Loop. I have to say that this trip was a hit and both kids and grown ups enjoyed it a lot. 

The hike is safely done within a well-marked path and the 6.1 mile loop can be accomplished in approximately two hours.  The trail is not too steep, so is good for all skill levels, and the park itself offers an array of activities like bird watching, boat and kayaking rental, fishing, hunting, picnic areas and playgrounds.

After spending some time in the park we went to Butler's Orchard, a local farm in Germantown, well known for its pick your own (PYO) events.  I have been taking my kids here since they were toddlers and it’s a trip they love so much we visit the farm several times during the year. 

Once you arrive to the farm, you need to park your car and ride one of the wagons that will lead you to the fields, in this case full of deliciously ripe strawberries.  Once you are there, you are promptly assigned a row in the field where you can pick as many strawberries as you want.  They were small but definitely much sweeter than the ones we usually get at the supermarket.  We picked up a couple of pounds that we later enjoyed alone, with cream and in homemade marmalade.

So, no matter if you decide to stay in the city or to venture to the suburbs, the DC metro area will surely have something to please all the tastes.  Enjoy it!