Alexandria Area Walking & Hiking Group

Neabsco Creek Boardwalk and Rippon Lodge

Sun, Nov 1 · 9:00 AM EST

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail Neabsco Creek Boardwalk, 15125 Blackburn Rd, Woodbridge, VA, US

Let's go for a walk on the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk and see if any critters are stirring. Afterwards, we'll make an optional visit to Rippon Lodge, one of the oldest known homes in Prince William County.

NB: Don't forget to turn back your clock! Daylight Savings Time ends at 02:00 am Sunday morning, November 1st!

❶ What we'll do:

• From the Neabsco Creek Boardwalk parking area we'll hike south to the boardwalk entrance and follow the boardwalk to the south end overlook, with a diversion along the way to visit the overlook adjacent to Blackburn Road. From the south end overlook we'll continue south to make a loop on the Julie Metz Wetlands Trail, returning to the south end overlook, where we'll retrace our steps along the boardwalk to the parking area.
• The Neabsco Boardwalk hike is a modified loop of about 3 miles and should take a little over an hour at a moderate pace, with maybe some extra time for photography. The hike route is fairly level throughout and mostly paved or boardwalk; the Julie Metz Wetlands Trail is boardwalk and dirt paths.
• Google map: https://tinyurl.com/yyn48psn
• After the Neabsco Boardwalk hike, those wishing to visit Rippon Lodge can return to their cars, exit the parking lot, and drive across Blackburn Road along Admiral Black Drive to Rippon Lodge. (Or you can walk up to the lodge and back; an extra half mile.) We'll spend at most an hour touring the grounds. (There is also a house tour available that is not included.)
• Rippon Lodge was built ca. 1747 by Richard Blackburn, an immigrant from Ripon, England. His son, Lt. Col. Thomas Blackburn, enlarged the house in 1800. Judge Wade Ellis expanded Rippon Lodge to its current size during the early 1920s.
• The tour of the grounds is about a mile of garden and forest paths, with seven historical markers. Touring the grounds is free; house tours are on the hour starting at 11:00 am and cost $5 for adults and $3 for active military. See the Rippon Lodge website linked below for details.

❷ How to get there: From Interstate 95, take Exit 156 (78 E/Dale Boulevard) toward Rippon Landing. Follow Rippon Boulevard across Richmond Hwy/Route 1. Turn right onto Blackburn Road. Travel 1/4 mile and turn left at Admiral Black Drive to enter the parking area. See https://goo.gl/maps/sABrB7eKicxuGn1t8

❸ What to bring: Water and comfy shoes.

❹ Weather: The forecast is partly cloudy and a high of 68F. Winds SSE at 2-5 mph and a slight chance of showers. Updates: https://tinyurl.com/y4b6humb

❺ Advisory: As a reminder, this is an adult group, and you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being during events. No one under 18 years of age is allowed at this event, either as members or as guests, to include babies in carriers and/or strollers.

❻ Administrative stuff: There is a portable restroom at the Neabsco Creek parking area and restrooms at Rippon Lodge. There is no running water at Neabsco Creek.

❼ Notes:

• Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail Neabsco Creek Boardwalk, 15125 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge, VA 22191. https://tinyurl.com/2nkymaj6
• Rippon Lodge Historic Site, 15520 Blackburn Road, Woodbridge VA 22191, 703-499-9812 or 703-792-4754. https://tinyurl.com/yc4c8r2n

Brookside Gardens

Sat, Nov 7 · 10:00 AM EST

Brookside Botanical Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Silver Spring, MD, US

Let’s enjoy the Fall colors in beautiful Brookside Gardens and Wheaton Park!

❶ What we'll do:

• From the parking lot of Brookside Gardens, we'll walk east into the gardens and spend around 45 minutes of pleasant wandering through the garden paths and fountains. Departing the gardens, we'll pick up the pace and enjoy a walk through the woodland paths of Wheaton Regional Park.
• The walk is a modified loop of about 4.5 miles. The surface is mostly paved, with some gravel and dirt paths here and there. Despite about 525 feet of elevation gain, the smooth paths make this a moderately easy hike. We should be finished in around two hours.
• Google map: https://tinyurl.com/4x4jy79p

❷ How to get there: From the I-495 beltway north of Washington DC between I-270 and I-95 (either direction), take exit 31A to follow MD-97/Georgia Ave toward Silver Spring/Wheaton. Follow signs for MD-97 N/Georgia Ave and drive north about 3.2 miles. Turn right onto Randolph Road, and take the second right onto Glenallan Avenue. Brookside Gardens will be on your right at Heurich Road. (Follow signs to the Visitor Center.) See https://goo.gl/maps/WHERgb5tyJ12

NB: Be on the lookout for speed cameras, especially along Randolph Road!

❸ What to bring: Water and comfy shoes. Sorry, only service animals are allowed in Brookside Gardens, so your furry friend must stay home. A light jacket and sunscreen are recommended.

❹ Weather: The forecast is partly cloudy and a high of 62F, with light NW winds and a 19-23% chance of showers. Updates here: https://tinyurl.com/2dfz4tdm

❺ Advisories:

• As a reminder, this is an adult group, and you are ultimately responsible for your own safety and well-being during events. No one under 18 years of age is allowed at this event, either as members or as guests, to include babies in carriers and/or strollers.
• Please review Brookside Garden's Etiquette page for a list of do's and don'ts: https://tinyurl.com/2cjht3h6

❻ Administrative stuff: There are restrooms at the Visitor Center, the Conservatory, the Nature Center, and just north of the carousel in Wheaton Regional Park.

❼ Notes:

• Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20902. http://tinyurl.com/gqxstyb