Hiking Adventures :: Ellanor C. Lawrence Park

Today we decided to take advantage of the semi-warmer weather to go on a hike! Of course, we aren't hikers at all, but I aspire to be at some point in the future. So you have to start somewhere, right? :)

The fun thing about Virginia, is that there is no lack of hiking options. But since we are starting small, with hopes of working our way up to more grand adventures later, we decided to explore Ellanor C. Lawrence Park in Fairfax County. The visitor center is still closed because of COVID, so we will have to go back to take a historic tour, as well as see all the reptiles and amphibians they house in the historic farmhouse. But the trails are open, and we were able to do a 1-mile hike through the forest.

The kids had a blast! They loved walking through the trees, looking for sticks and bird nests, and throwing things in the creek. On the last leg of our hike, on our way back to have lunch, Maddie said her legs {and her stomach?} were done walking haha. But she was a trooper and did just fine finishing up the hike. Aiden got a little slower at the end, and I asked him if he wanted me to carry him, but he refused, insisting he was a big boy "just like Daddy." And Eli just led the charge the whole way :)

We got to rest and eat our picnic lunch at one of the park pavilions, and overall, I would say it was a successful trip! This is definitely a park we will come back to visit at other times of the year. It felt so great to just be outside, and we had a fun day as a family. Maybe we will make hikers out of the kids {and Mommy}, yet!