A week before our visit, Gregg found a YouTube where a man shared this 'hidden gem' as he described it. It wasn't too far away from home, about 40 minutes. Gregg was intrigued because neither of us had heard of it before and that was a bit mind boggling. We have been to many places in and around our local area, but this was a complete surprise. We picked Friday, June 12th, to check it out.
I didn't take many photos. It was hot and muggy and not walkable weather, but it was a beautiful drive in a car with the air-conditioning working. The journey provided many tree-lined roads, and I did take photos going there and back. I will share those at the end.
If you go to this link it will take you to their website. The park is described as being surprisingly secluded and quiet, though it is surrounded by suburbs only minutes away. We (me and the mouse in my pocket) were very thankful for our phone's GPS and arrived without getting lost. The directions took us along a heavily wooded, winding road and I was just starting to think we would have to turn around, when the entrance appeared.
It is approximately 2,000 acres of wooded wilderness located in the Fairfax Station area. The narrow road takes you by the Occoquan Reservoir and we saw the boat ramp where people can bring small, 3 to 4 person boats. Visitors can also rent single and double kayaks and standup paddleboards. You can check their website at the link above for more information. It is open year-round, weather permitting. Boat rentals are available from March to mid-November and can be rented by the hour or for the day.
All this being said, things do change and if you read this any time in the future, or even now, best to check with their website before making any definite plans. Other things you can do here are equestrian trail riding which include four different trails varying in length, with several winding along the reservoir for water views.
It is also a well-known destination for mountain bikers and is said to be one of the best and most recognized bike trail systems. The full trail system is 15 miles long, with a green beginner's loop of about 3 miles, plus intermediate and advanced loops. There is an access point to the 19.7 mile Bull Run Occoquan Trail. All these trails sometimes close so it's again best to check at the website.
Bikes are prohibited on the equestrian trail and the nature trail at all times. This link will take you to a site that gives you up-to-date information on all the trails at Fountainhead Park. One last thing, you can also rent a covered picnic shelter for small gatherings. The shelter includes tables and grills. It has enough seating for 50 people at ten 6-foot picnic tables, and there is one double charcoal grill. No amusement devices or alcoholic beverages are allowed at the shelter.
If you'd like to fish there is a well-stocked reservoir full of bass, bluegill, catfish, crappie and more (I read that anyone 16 or older needs to obtain a Virginia fishing license). There is a combined snack and bait shop where we saw those young high schoolers grabbing a bite to eat, mentioned in a previous post. We will do just that next time we go. Their seating has a wonderful view over the water, which I will have to get photos of next time.
I borrowed the above photo off their website. That walkway had brand new boards built as recently as the previous weekend. As you walk down the wooden path and turn left, that's where we saw our high schoolers ordering food. On the right are the bathrooms and I was very, very impressed with those. Super clean, well-stocked, and the hand-driers were like jet engines. My hands were dried in seconds as my hair flew up over my head and yes, I am kidding on the hair but not about the hand drying. I am very, very picky about outside bathrooms and this one got an A+.
If you are living in or even visiting our area, it is located at 10875 Hampton Road, Fairfax Station, Virginia. Though this wasn't a long one, we were very happy with our initial visit and look forward to going back.
Gregg also heard that a favorite ice-cream shop, one we have to drive quite a long way to, has opened in another location and was directly on our way home. Way too good an opportunity to miss and of course we had to stop. I had a hot fudge sundae with coffee ice-cream, a swirl of whipped cream and a cherry on top. Gregg ordered a Root Beer Ice Cream Float. We part the ways on root beer, not my cup of tea, Dr. Pepper is another. In my days where I used to have an occasional soda, I thought it tasted like medicine. On the other hand, that hot fudge sundae was a perfect treat on a very hot and humid day. Side note: if any of you New Englanders are fond of
Moxie, this is one of my son's favorite drinks. His grandmother, Gregg's Mom, used to enjoy them too but they don't sell them this far down on the east coast. A friend of his when visiting up north brought a case back as a gift/surprise. I've never tried Moxie and should one day, but not sure I would like that either. Yes, she's all over the place today, but that's how she rolls apparently.
I'm jumping ahead of myself here as before we reached the park while driving through the Fairfax Station area, I was surprised to see a red caboose quite close to the road. Gregg did a turnaround as he was curious too.
It was part of the Fairfax Station Railroad Museum, another place we never knew existed. Unfortunately, it was closed but we'll find out when it is open and take another mini-road trip. We read the marker:
"Fairfax Station, established on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad in 1851, was originally known as Lee's Station until 1852. It served the town of Providence, location of the Fairfax County Court House. A small community, mostly Irish, grew near the station with a post office in 1852 and Saint Mary of Sorrows Catholic Church in 1860. Between 1897 and 1921 the area was called Swetnam, reverting back to Fairfax Station in 1921. In 1907 this area was known as a "progressive and enterprising village" with two churches, two stores, a school and a blacksmith's shop. The principal occupations were farming, dairying and lumbering."
There was another historical marker which we missed. I suppose we were in a hurry to get to the park. However, when I looked for this marker online, I found there was another. This one might interest those who are Civil War History buffs.
"Built in 1852 this stop on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, was crucial during the Civil War, transporting supplies for Union Troops. In September 1862 it served as a key evacuation point for thousands of wounded Union soldiers after the Second Battle of Manassas. Clara Barton, recognized as "the angel of the battlefield," famously nursed soldiers at this site. The depot was burned in September 1862 following the final evacuation, but was rebuilt by federal forces shortly after."
Another interesting bit of information I found was that Clara Barton and Walt Whitman knew each other. Both worked as volunteer caregivers treating wounded soldiers in the Washington DC area, and both spent time working out of the historic Old Patient Office Building in Washington DC.
I went down an amazing rabbit hole looking up information on that old red caboose. It is a Type C31 Cupola caboose built for the Norfolk and Western Railway in December 1969. Not that old! It was donated to the museum by the Norfolk Southern Foundation in 1993 and later repainted in a classic Southern Railway scheme.
It has very limited hours as a volunteer run depot. For viewing, according to their official website here, only open on Sundays. Monday to Saturday it is closed. Occasionally open on Saturdays and Mondays. Adults (13 yrs and up): $6.00 - Youth (5 to 12 yrs.): $4.00 - Children (4 and under): Free - Military/First Responders/Teachers (with ID): $5.00.
If you want to contact them they have a page on their website here. Address and phone number is: 11200 Fairfax Station Road, P.O. Box 7, Fairfax Station, VA 22039 - (703) 925-9225. I have written all this down for the time we plan to go. It's on our list. Hopefully we will be able to catch them open. And here's me climbing out of the rabbit hole, finally.
The old mill has peaked our interest for many years. There is a house nearby and the land looks privately owned. We didn't realize the old building was a mill until we saw the recent addition of a paddle wheel.
There is also an old horse barn on the property, a house and a garage.
I wondered if these were here before the road was made wider. Not really sure of its history, and not sure of the old log building across the street, whether it belongs to the same people. They have been welcome sights when we are coming home on this route.
We also often drive by the horses. Getting photos of these beautiful animals isn't always possible, even when they are in the closest field. This road is very narrow but it's a very busy one. I will be lining up a shot and I will hear Gregg say, "Gotta go, car's coming!" I get what I can and we both enjoy a few moments at the sight of them, even from a distance.
They are part of The Cloverleaf Equine Center, a place where families and individuals go who have physical and psychological challenges. It was founded in 1980. We have passed by these fields many times since we moved here 30+ years ago, and always enjoy looking at the horses, sometimes seeing them being ridden in the paddock, not in frame.
That's all for this post.
Thanks for looking and
I hope your day is a great one.
