Over Thanksgiving I flew out to Washington DC to have Thanksgiving with my son David and wife Lindsay, and their two girls, Eva and Leven. We all love to hike, so while Lindsay was working on her school work, the rest of us went over to Accotink Bay Wildlife Refuge in Fairfax County Virginia to get some fresh air and stretch out our legs.
It was a gorgeous day filled with beavers, birds, water, trees and sky.
David and me, with Eva and Leven posing for a selfie!
Another evening we went to see the sun set over the Potomac River. Eva is a natural athlete, and loves to climb trees! Such a sweetheart!
Over the years, we have spent many happy hours together walking up and down the Potomac searching for driftwood, shells and usable cast-offs.
Fortunately I was able to go with my family to the Scottish Parade in Alexandria,Virginia! The bands were exceptional, especially the bagpipes. Nothing quite like listening to the plaintive sounds of marching feet and the bagpipes playing Christmas carols.
Lots of kilts that morning! If you don't know what a kilt is, it is basically a wrap around skirt for Scottish men, made from wool or twill, traditionally with a tartan pattern. My sons are all proud of their Scottish heritage passed down through their dad, and none more than David. He even said he hopes to wear a kilt one day! You go David!
Eva and Leven talking to the "real" Santa Claus!
Me and David, on the streets during the parade.
After the parade, we walked through the Wilkes Street Tunnel, then onto the waterfront.
Alexandria is such a beautiful city, with so many old buildings, an abundance of brick and rock, the Potomac river and of course the magnificent sky!
Lindsay looking down the alley in the quaint Town of Occoquan, a suburb of Washington DC. The name Occoquan is an Algonquian Doeg Indian word meaning "at the end of the water".
To me, reflections are fascinating, especially in windows. I took this shot of Eva, Leven and Lindsay in front of one of the stores with great windows.
David, Lindsay and their two girls, Leven and Eva. Love that family!
The Occoquan River borders the town and is a scenic tributary of the Potomac River in Northern Virginia. We saw a man fishing in the river, however not for fish but for old artifacts, with a special rod designed to accommodate his search.
David and Lindsay, filled with joy, and still loving each other after 20 years of marriage!
David took us on another hike in Huntley Meadows, also in Fairfax County, Virginia. The park encompasses a wetlands area with boardwalks to walk through the waterways. So much fun.
It was a very peaceful day, although very cold and windy.
A gaggle of Canada geese were walking through the wetlands searching for food, anything from berries and aquatic plants to insects, mollusks and small fish. Historically Canada geese are a migratory species, but most of these Canada geese stay in Huntley Meadows year round.
My granddaughter Leven was a mouse in the Nutcracker Ballet! It was so fun to watch her and the other dancers perform the ballet. So beautiful.
Here is Leven after her performance, celebrating the day!
The night before I left, we took one last excursion down to Washington DC to visit the Botanical Gardens. Lindsay's pictures give you an idea of how beautiful the gardens are!
That would be me, standing in the grass, with the Washington monument in the background. It was a wonderful trip, filled with family, hiking, food, and fun. Thank you David and Lindsay! It was a long trip home, but all things went pretty good and now I am home for the holidays.