Julie and I recently visited a dig near Old Town on Shooter's Hill behind the Masonic Memorial.
Here are some archeologists at work in Old Town Alexandriaarcheology in Alexandria
Opened in 2008 by David Gwathmey and Sheera Rosenfeld in Old Town, this wine retail shop / coffee shop / wine tasting bar carries the name Grape and Bean or just simply Grape + Bean. This Alexandrian treat is a part of what makes Old Town ultimately special. Providing exceptional service and excellent quality products, the place is also cozy, warm, comfortable and charming.
Grape + Bean = Cozy and Charming
Wine is offered by the glass and coffee by the cup along with cheese plates and coffee treats. Grape + Bean carry a food menu that is created for sharing.
Bottles of Wine and Pounds of Coffee
Wine is sold by bottle and coffee by the pound and serves as excellent gift baskets with a personal touch.
Lawn and apple blossoms
Named after the Blue Ridge Mountains and just above Piedmont, Blue Ridge is a part of the Appalachians. Many tourists patronize Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive in Blue Ridge.
“Memories of a Lewis Mountain Man” portrays how unique culture and life was for “hill-billies” or mountain people in Blue Ridge before Shenandoah Park. Even today, remnants of the said “hill-billies” are being sought after by Appalachian hikers as they trek through the Shenandoah Park.
Apple Orchards are famous in the region but the industry is no longer booming as it was years ago. Yet again, White House Foods, a major apple juicer and product packager, still gets their supply of apples from this region.
Julie and I rode bikes from Old Town up to Washington DC to take a look at the cherry blossoms. We rode along the GW Parkway on the Mount Vernon Trail to Theodore Roosevelt Island and then we turned back crossing the river into the city. It was a pleasant morning and a good time.
Washington Monument as seen from Virginia during cherry blossom
Washington Monument surrounded by cherry blossoms
Jefferson Memorial at Cherry Blossom
The cherry trees bloom every Spring along the Potomac River
Cherry Blossoms
Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo Alexandria.
Plaques are found on many buildings and homes in Old Town Alexandria. "Plaqued" homes are not uncommon in Old Town Alexandria and a historical plaque is generally considered to enhance the value of the property. The plaque for the Marshall House is found on King Street on the Hotel Monaco. It reads:
History is around every corner of Northern Virginia
The Marshall House stood upon this site and within the building on early morning of May 24, 1861 James W. Jackson was killed by Federal soldiers while defending his property and personal rights, as stated in the verdict of the coroners jury.
He was the first martyr to the cause of Southern Independence. The Justice of History does not permit his name to be forgotten.
Not in the excitement of battle, but coolly and for a great principle, he laid down his life, as an example to all, in defence of his home and the sacred soil of his native state, Virginia.
Erected by the Sons and Daughters of Confederate Soldiers
I was born in Northern Virginia and have lived here most of my life, but I still find that there is no end of new things to do. When Christmas approaches in Northern Virginia, the Holiday Season is a great time to get out and see some of what the area has to offer. Julie and I have already started to enjoy some of the many sites of the season and I thought I'd share a bit with friends and soon to be friends who are considering moving to this area.
Just across the Potomac River from Alexandria VA is the National Convention Center at National Harbor. This recently developed area is home to many high-end shops and restaurants and makes a nice day-trip anytime. Julie and I visited ICE! a holiday display of ice sculptures. The attraction was billed as "a world unlike any other ... a winter wonderland made entirely of ice. We explored ten different holiday scenes made from two million pounds of ice, including a life-sized Santa's Workshop, a penguin village... and even ice slides that stood more than two stories tall! ICE! was created by a team of 40 artisans and sculptors.
The tunnel had white branches that were covered in ice. Inside the exhibit the air was a chilly 9 degrees Fahrenheit. All visitors wore special blue parkas over their coats that kept us nice and warm.
My son Stuart and I goofed around at the penguins near the glass-like ice igloo. National Harbor can be seen from Alexandria, but a few nights ago we took a short drive around the Beltway to the Washington, DC Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints, also known as the Mormon Temple.
The grounds of the Mormon Temple are open to all visitors during the Christmas season. This impressive church and its surrounding grounds shine brightly with nearly a half-million sparkling Christmas lights. Each night, a different local musical group performs a live concert in a state-of-the-art theater. Best of all: all events are free!
It's hard for my little picture to really catch the brilliance of the winter night, but in both of these pictures you can see a representative of the Star of David shining in the distance over a Nativity Scene near the visitors' center.
We grabbed some photos outside and walked the grounds. There were plenty of people there, but the crowds were very polite and nice. The Mormon ushers and parking attendants were very welcoming to all who approached.
It was a chilly night, so we came in the visitor's center to warm up. There were Christmas Trees from around the area, and I took Julie's picture near the Mount Vernon tree. I really liked the trees with contributions from nations around the world. Those trees were themed by continents so there was a tree themed with decorations from Africa, from South American, from Europe and from Asia.
Another great spot to check out is the National Christmas Tree near the lawn of the Whitehouse near the Ellipse in Washington DC.
We parked in front of the Washington Monument and then headed across the lawn toward the National Christmas Tree and National Menorah. On the way we passed an enormous Yule Log burning brightly to warm visitors. There is a parade of free entertainment and there are trees representing all the states and territories of the USA.
The National Christmas Tree is between the Washington Monument and the White House, but very close to the White House.
About the Author --- Will Nesbitt is the principal broker of Condo Alexandria and Nesbitt Realty.
Will specializes in condos, townhouses and single family residences in
Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax County, Crystal City, and Kingstowne.
Will resides in Belle Haven Estates just outside Alexandria VA in
Fairfax County.
My colleagues in Hawaii and Florida and even in Jackson Hole or Las
Vegas love to post pictures that make me drool with envy. Stunning
beaches, snow-capped mountains and striking desert oasis condos we do
not have in the Washington Metro Area, but we do have access to our
national capital. And every four years we have access to history of a
different sort, when our nation installs a President.
Several of my friends in Northern Virginia made the trek to witness
President Obama's swearing in. For most folks it started at 6 am at the
Metro.
Even at 6 am the line to get on the train was long. For those who
were lucky enough to get a seat on the first train, there was a wait
for a half-hour or more before the train was underway. When the trains
arrived, you began to get an idea of just how big a number 2 million
is.
The crowd was pleasant, but the numbers were overwhelming. It took 45 minutes just to get out of the station.
Top side was like a jail break, as people were glad to finally see the light of day.
The masses of people were staggering, even if they were dwarfed by the touchstones of democracy like the Washington Monument.
This was one of the better view spots open to the public on
Inauguration day. In this picture, Obama is about a quarter of a pixel
high, so it's a little tough to make out his expression.
But the Jumbotron was there if you needed to see what was happening.
Then at the end of the day, it's a walk back to the Metro. Small price to pay to be a witness to history.
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-300x225.jpg "archeology in Alexandria")
I was born in Northern Virginia and have lived here most of my life, but I still find that there is no end of new things to do. When Christmas approaches in Northern Virginia, the Holiday Season is a great time to get out and see some of what the area has to offer. Julie and I have already started to enjoy some of the many sites of the season and I thought I'd share a bit with friends and soon to be friends who are considering moving to this area.
Just across the Potomac River from Alexandria VA is the National Convention Center at National Harbor. This recently developed area is home to many high-end shops and restaurants and makes a nice day-trip anytime. Julie and I visited ICE! a holiday display of ice sculptures. The attraction was billed as "a world unlike any other ... a winter wonderland made entirely of ice. We explored ten different holiday scenes made from two million pounds of ice, including a life-sized Santa's Workshop, a penguin village... and even ice slides that stood more than two stories tall! ICE! was created by a team of 40 artisans and sculptors.
The tunnel had white branches that were covered in ice. Inside the exhibit the air was a chilly 9 degrees Fahrenheit. All visitors wore special blue parkas over their coats that kept us nice and warm.
My son Stuart and I goofed around at the penguins near the glass-like ice igloo. National Harbor can be seen from Alexandria, but a few nights ago we took a short drive around the Beltway to the Washington, DC Church of Jesus Christ of Latter–day Saints, also known as the Mormon Temple.
The grounds of the Mormon Temple are open to all visitors during the Christmas season. This impressive church and its surrounding grounds shine brightly with nearly a half-million sparkling Christmas lights. Each night, a different local musical group performs a live concert in a state-of-the-art theater. Best of all: all events are free!
It's hard for my little picture to really catch the brilliance of the winter night, but in both of these pictures you can see a representative of the Star of David shining in the distance over a Nativity Scene near the visitors' center.
We grabbed some photos outside and walked the grounds. There were plenty of people there, but the crowds were very polite and nice. The Mormon ushers and parking attendants were very welcoming to all who approached.
It was a chilly night, so we came in the visitor's center to warm up. There were Christmas Trees from around the area, and I took Julie's picture near the Mount Vernon tree. I really liked the trees with contributions from nations around the world. Those trees were themed by continents so there was a tree themed with decorations from Africa, from South American, from Europe and from Asia.
Another great spot to check out is the National Christmas Tree near the lawn of the Whitehouse near the Ellipse in Washington DC.
We parked in front of the Washington Monument and then headed across the lawn toward the National Christmas Tree and National Menorah. On the way we passed an enormous Yule Log burning brightly to warm visitors. There is a parade of free entertainment and there are trees representing all the states and territories of the USA.
The National Christmas Tree is between the Washington Monument and the White House, but very close to the White House.
Even at 6 am the line to get on the train was long. For those who
were lucky enough to get a seat on the first train, there was a wait
for a half-hour or more before the train was underway. When the trains
arrived, you began to get an idea of just how big a number 2 million
is.
The crowd was pleasant, but the numbers were overwhelming. It took 45 minutes just to get out of the station.
Top side was like a jail break, as people were glad to finally see the light of day.
The masses of people were staggering, even if they were dwarfed by the touchstones of democracy like the Washington Monument.
This was one of the better view spots open to the public on
Inauguration day. In this picture, Obama is about a quarter of a pixel
high, so it's a little tough to make out his expression.
But the Jumbotron was there if you needed to see what was happening.
Then at the end of the day, it's a walk back to the Metro. Small price to pay to be a witness to history.