BURKE LAKE PARK - AFTER THE DOGS

 Burke Lake is a place we went to years ago but promptly forgot.  I don't really know why.  This is our second or third visit now, in a relatively short space of time since rediscovering it.  We kept our walk short today though, because it started to rain.  

This is the road leading into the park and one of the signs below.  We come under 'county residents' so access for us is free.

There is a freshwater reservoir, and contained within Burke Lake Park is a Fairfax County public park. Burke Lake is formed by a dam on the South Run, a tributary stream of the Potomac River. 

It was Saturday but not very crowded, maybe due to the fact that we went later in the afternoon.  A few people had brought small boats and kayaks, and we watched one or two trucks with boat trailers as they backed down the ramp.  We decided to go to the left where we walked along the beach for a while.  It is where we found our friendly dogs from yesterday's post.

Does anyone have an idea of what kind of shells these are? I have looked online but can't find an exact duplicate of this one.  Maybe freshwater clams? They were scattered all over the rocky beach where we saw the dogs playing in the water.

They also had interesting driftwood.  I can see an artist's beautifully polished wood under the scraggly outer layer, and imagined how pretty it would look.  I know we can't see that from these photos, but that's the direction my head goes when I look at these things.

New growth among the old.

You can learn more about this tree if you click here.  It has great information.

This path would take us through the Frisbee Golf Course.  We avoid as there is a history.  

I have had experience.  I avoid frisbee trails as though avoiding a treacherous bog.  On one occasion I was hit in the face with a flying frisbee, and on another occasion a couple of years later I was hit with a flying body trying to catch a flying frisbee.  I am not at the age where I need a concussion.  It looked quiet but then so had those other times, until someone yelled a warning seconds before.

Here is a map of the lake.  It covers 25 acres and averages only eight feet in depth.  Not for swimming but there are plenty of people who go out on boats, including kayaks. It is also managed as a fishing resource.  

That's all from this trip to Burke Lake Park until the next time we go.  I have a few photos to share of pretty homes along our route, but I'll share those when I can get them done.