Caledon State Park
Credit: Bill Crabtree, Jr
was established in 1659 as Caledon Plantation by John Alexander,
a Scottish immigrant who later purchased what is now the city
of Alexandria for 6,000 pounds of tobacco. In 1974, Alexander’s
descendants donated the land to the state, but to protect the
eagle habitat, it didn’t become a park until 2012. Fourteen easy to
moderate hiking trails, ranging from half a mile to more than two
miles, wind through the forest. A visitor center in the 1910 home of
former owners, contains exhibits on bald eagles and local fauna.
Kids will enjoy the touch table, with snakeskins, animal skulls, deer
antlers and even a bearskin.
DON’T MISS: Belle Grove Plantation, 11 miles away. The manor
house, built in 1791, is the birthplace of President James Madison.
The house and grounds are also rich in Civil War-era history. Lincoln
assassin John Wilkes Booth fled across the Rappahannock River
from here, pursued by Union soldiers. It’s now a bed and breakfast,
but daily tours are open to the public.
INFORMATION: Virginia.org
WHERE: GEORGE WASHINGTON’S MOUNT
VERNON, MOUNT VERNON
DISTANCE FROM DOWNTOWN D.C.: 17 MILES
Winter is a quieter, less hectic season at George Washington’s
Potomac River estate. Time it right (Nov. 26 – Jan. 6) and you can
get in on Christmas at Mount Vernon festivities. Christmas was
an important religious holiday and the Washington’s entertained
frequently during the season. But don’t expect Christmas trees and
mistletoe, which didn’t factor into the revelry of the era. Chocolate
did, however, and costumed interpreters demonstrate daily how
cacao seed was processed at the estate for making hot chocolate
and chocolate tea.
On select dates in November and December, take a character-
guided candlelit tour focused on 18th-century holiday customs.
Tour Mount Vernon’s slave quarters, blacksmith shop and
greenhouse. There’s also an opportunity to try your hand at 18th-
century footwork in dance lessons with costumed interpreters.
On December 15th and 16th, join Mount Vernon for an evening of
family-friendly fun and fireworks choreographed to holiday music,
with fireworks beginning around 9PM. Take a stroll through the
estate while being serenaded by local choirs, visit with re-enactors
from the First Virginia Regiment in winter encampment, and
learn 18th-century dance moves from costumed guides in the
Greenhouse. George and Martha Washington will also be on site to
greet Mount Vernon’s holiday guests.
DON’T MISS: A photo op with Aladdin the Christmas Camel.
Washington is known to have had an interest in both domestic
and exotic animals, and in 1787, records show he paid 18 shillings
to have a camel brought to the estate for the amusement of his
holiday guests. A costumed interpreter talks about camels and
other exotic animals that made appearances at the estate in
Washington’s day.
INFORMATION: Mountvernon.org
WINTER 2017/18 67 FLYWASHINGTON.COM