Quick Beach Getaway

We have many great attractions here in Loudoun County. Even so, everyone must have a change of scenery now and then. One of my family's favorite weekend or vacation getaways is the beach; we go once a year. The closest beach to us is Ocean City, Maryland, about a 3 to 4 hour drive from Loudoun.

Although Ocean City is often criticized for being overly commercial; it just so happens that I like to have lots to do on my vacation! No matter your likes or budget, there is no reason to be bored.

OC has some of the finest ocean front hotels, although during peak season (and with the kids) we now opt to rent a condo on the bay side. Our favorite place is Sunset Island, a new gated community with tons of amenities. Condos are generally half the price of a hotel room and double the space; and since we have a full kitchen, we save on meals, too. Off peak, when it is easier to get a bargain, or for quick romantic weekend getaways, my hubby and I still stay in an ocean front room so we can enjoy hearing and seeing the ocean from our balcony. But, watching a sunset over the bay is awfully nice, too.

In season, FREE family entertainment is offered every night of the week. On the boardwalk, on the beach, in the parks... you'll find roaming entertainers, concerts, magicians, movies, family games and more.

One of our favorite past times is simply walking the boardwalk. At night, the place lights up like Vegas. It's a great place for window shopping, people watching and checking out the latest beach trends and funny T shirts. You can rent bikes or take the trolley up and down the boards… and the kids love to bring extra bread and feed the seagulls.

Boardwalk food includes such specialties as Dumpser's banana shakes (my favorite), Dolle’s carmel popcorn, Candy Kitchen's fudge and the world famous Thrasher's boardwalk fries.....it may not be health food, but it is way too good to be called "junk food".

You'll find several arcades to compete for your business. A long standing tradition in our family includes the "quarter sock" where we save quarters as we near vacation time (and yes, we keep them in a sock - I don't know why, ask my husband). Those are the quarters that are used to play arcade games in OC, which pay out tickets that can be saved to purchase prizes. For the weeks preceding our trip, when the kids act up, my husband just grabs and shakes the sock – and their behavior magically improves.

This year, with a 3 and 6 year old we skipped the arcade and headed to the 2 amusement parks: World Famous Trimpers Amusement Pier which has been in place for over 100 years; and Jolly Rogers Amusement Park which boasts itself as OC's largest Amusement Park. Both feature carnival like rides and games. Jolly Rogers has a second location off the boards; and also operates Speed World (a park of go karts and race tracks) and Splash Mountain (a water park).

If you like water sports, you'll have no trouble here. You can rent pontoon boats, wave runners, or jet skis to ride in the bay. You can jump aboard the OC Rocket (a large speed boat); take a chartered fishing trip or a nature cruise...options abound- pick up any local coupon book or map and you'll find a list. I personally like the sunset dolphin tours. The nature cruise to Assateague was very nice, and educational, This year, we opted for a Pirate Adventure, where the kids became pirates for a bit and joined the ranks of the crew aboard The Gypsy. The pirates fought off the bad guys and found the treasure; and had a lot of fun doing it.

Another highlight for us is visiting the wild horses (referred to as ponies) at Assateague Island, a nature sanctuary (both a state and a national park) just about 15 minutes from Ocean City. You can arrive by boat or car; and camping or picnics are allowed. There, wild ponies roam, along with deer, many birds and other types of wildlife. You can rent a kayak to explore the back bay, rent bikes to explore the island, walk along the beach or trails or just drive through....you can generally get a few good looks at the wildlife, even from the car. This beach is less frequented than the one in OC, and is therefore a great place to find sea shells.

Even though we're penny savvy, we always go out to dinner - there are so many great places to choose! Mackey’s is one of our favorites. It's on the bay, and we eat at outdoor tables in the sand. The kids can play in the water while we enjoy a beverage and watch the sunset.

And, what is vacation without dessert! Donuts from Dunkin Donuts are a family favorite, but OC is better known for ice cream and specialty candy shops. Ocean City is truly a delicious place!

Oh, but wait - did I forget to talk about the beach? Yeah, they have one... and it is great. In season, come early to get your spot among the sandcastle builders and the sun-worshippers.

Resting on the shore, soaking in the sun and listening to the waves crash is one of my favorite past times. The kids enjoy feeding the seagulls chasing the waves and burying each other in the sand. If you're a swimmer, be careful - the Atlantic can be quite moody.

No matter how diverse personalities are in your family, OC is sure to have attractions for everyone - night life, relaxing beaches, nature sanctuaries, amusement parks, water sports, gourmet foods, history and museums... the list goes on. All this is available, just a short drive from Loudoun, keeping it easily accessible, even for the occasional day trip.

Make some time and visit soon! …. And, stay tuned to learn more about Living In LoCo!

Pop!Bang!Boom! Loudoun Is Celebrating This Weekend!

It’s time to celebrate America’s Birthday and no one is more proud of our heritage than Loudoun. All across the county, our residents will be celebrating in style! There are at least 10 public fireworks displays; and many other festivities being hosted in our various towns, villages and communities.

Everywhere you turn this weekend, you’ll see red, white and blue. The air will be scented with the smell of charcoal. Quiet meadows will come alive with make shift stages and homegrown music. Our local parks will be filled with families and friends. Little boys and their dads will be catching crayfish in our streams. Children will be playing ball, riding bikes, and climbing trees. Fishermen (real or wanna-be's) will crowd our riverbanks. Our waterways will look like marinas, with boaters positioning themselves for the best view of the fireworks. Pools, public and private, will be overflowing. Fireworks – legal and otherwise – will inevitably fill the nighttime heavens.

Pop! Bang! Boom! Get ready… Loudoun is celebrating this weekend!

We kick it off early here in Loudoun with 6 celebrations on Friday the 3rd!

Lovettsville starts us off right with a hometown parade followed by activities at the Community Center ball field; a concert by DC3, and awesome fireworks. Festivities begin at 5:30. Tickets are $3 for kids, $4 for adults.

Landsdowne, just east of Leesburg, will hold their Sounds of Summer show from 7:30 to 10:30 with fireworks starting at 9:20.

South Riding begins festivities at 6 with a parade from Center Street & South Riding Blvd, making a right on Upper Clubhouse to South Riding Golf Club. Bikes, trikes, small floats, and wagons are welcomed. Food will be available for purchase during the King of Swing concert beginning at 7. Fireworks start at 9:30, and blankets, lawn chairs and picnics are encouraged.

Sterling Park has fireworks beginning at 9:15.

At the Old Stone School in Hillsboro, see the Blue Ridge Thunder Cloggers perform, hear live music by Hewn By The Mountain. There's a BBQ dinner, bake sale, and free ice cream and picnics are welcomed. Kids will enjoy the moon bounce, games and prizes. Then, the family can settle down to watch the fireworks display at dusk.

The Town of Waterford is so hyped, they are having a 2 day party! At 4pm on Friday the 3rd, the town will host a softball game at Waterford Elementary. At 6, the music and potluck dinner starts at Bond Street Tanyard; followed by fireworks at Water Street Meadow.

On the 4th, festivities really get rockin!

Waterford continues their celebration with an 11am parade down Factory Street to the Bond Street Tanyard. At 11:45 there will be patriotic songs and remarks; more music, photos, and of course... more food. Then, the Greystone pool will be opened (fee for non-members).

Nearby Paeonian Springs also has a parade beginning at 11. It starts at the upper end of Highland Circle and ends at the McLaughlins' at the lower end. Motorized vehicles are prohibited. All are welcome to join in the "after party" at the McLaughlins'.

The Celebration here in Leesburg, in the county seat, will begin at at 10am on the 4th, with an old fashioned Independence Day Parade in the downtown area. The parade will start at Ida Lee park and travel down King Street to Fairfax Street (just before the intersection with Catoctin Circle). Residents are encouraged to dress in their very best Red, White and Blue outfits! Then, it’s off to enjoy your favorite summer time activities. Ida Lee rec center and AV Symmington Aquatic Park will be open for all to enjoy. At 6, the gates at Ida Lee will open for the evening celebration where your family can enjoy Jimmy Buffet tunes played by the Land Sharks (a nationally recognized band featured with Jimmy Buffett at Margarittaville). Be sure to bring a little cash – there is usually a suggested entrance donation; and the concession stands there are the bomb! Be sure to line up early for the funnel cake; one year I nearly missed the fireworks waiting for mine! Fireworks begin at 9:30 and are synchronized to explode in time with a medley of patriotic songs. The combination of “hearing” and “seeing” synchronized celebrations of patriotism truly adds to the experience. If you can’t be within hearing distance, but are watching the display from elsewhere, check the local Leesburg radio station – Wage AM 1200, as they usually broadcast the songs, too! Don’t miss the full experience.

Ashburn Village has an entire day planned. At 10:30, you're invited to join in the one mile parade, which begins at Fincastle Field featuring residents with decorated bikes, wagons and strollers. At 11, the party gets going with inflatables, food, swimming and games at the Sports Pavillion. Just after 7, the music kicks into gear, with the Suburban Rush band. At dark, they'll finish off the night with a "low flying" fireworks display from the island in Ashburn Lake.

At Claude Moore Park in Sterling, from 10:30 to 3:00 there is an old fashioned July 4th celebration with live music, crafts, nature and reptile exhibits, historic tours, and even pony and wagon rides. All this is offered for a small suggested donation of only $5 per family. The Heritage Farm Museum at Claude Moore will have an open house, offering free admission throughout the day. They will also have a special celebration for our “Heroes on the Homefront”; in recognition of the contributions of Loudoun Farms during WWII.
In Middleburg, the Community Center pool will be open from 11 to 6; and the family can enjoy evening music, games, and contests. Fireworks there begin at dusk.
Purcellville’s Franklin Park hosts the Polka Dots, a local folk group, and Acoustic Burgoo, the headlining bluegrass sensation. Fireworks begin at dark. Gates will open at 6; admission is $5 per car.

Please, make this a wonderful weekend. Keep re-applying the sunscreen – especially on the kids. Make sure everyone stays hydrated. Keep the potato salad refrigerated. Carefully supervise the use of personal fireworks, and keep it legal for your own safety. Have a designated driver, and don’t over indulge in the spirits. Your pets will be scared, so keep them inside.

Loudoun is a great place to visit, and an even better place to live. Although we have high quality emergency response teams and very good hospitals; I really want you to never have to know it. Be safe and be well… Happy Birthday, America!

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For more information on public festivities offered by the Town of Leesburg and Loudoun County Parks and Rec, visit http://www.leesburgva.gov/index.aspx?page=568 and http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=328&fmpath=/Current%20Activity%20Guides .

To learn about our local real estate market, please visit http://www.therealestatewhisperer.blogspot.com/ or http://www.vickychrisner.com/.