From Our Annual, Traditional Holiday Walk in Downtown Fredericksburg, VA
In spite of not ideal weather conditions, just shy of 50 walkers turned out for our Annual Holiday Walk on Saturday, December 28th, 2024! We set up in the lobby of the building that houses the new Fredericksburg Visitor Center at 601 Caroline Street – a perfect spot. We greatly appreciate the wonderful hospitality and assistance from the folks at the Visitor Center. Every year we sponsor this late afternoon/evening 5K or 10K walk through downtown Fredericksburg so everyone can see the beautiful holiday decorations. People could walk on their own or join the group walk at 3:30 p.m.; at the checkpoint we offered yummy holiday cookies and bourbon balls. A fun time had by all to celebrate the season!
From Our Saturday, December 7th, 2024, Walk at the National Manassas Battlefield Park in VA
A dozen energetic walkers gathered together this morning to walk at the National Manassas Battlefield Park, in spite of icy cold temperatures! The sun was shining, and our spirits were bright as we enjoyed a wonderful walk together. Most of us did the 5K and two people continued on to do the 11K – walks sponsored by the Wood and Dale Wanderers Club from Prince William County, VA. We were lucky to have Don Shockey as our leader, an excellent Civil War historian. We all checked out the informative statues, canons, and signage along the way, and afterwards had a good lunch at the Golden Corral restaurant.
From Our Friday, November 29th, 2024, Opt-Out Walk in Fredericksburg, VA
About 40 of us opted-out of Black Friday shopping the day after Thanksgiving, to take a great 6K walk in Fredericksburg. Following FWC’s route from our “River Rambles” Year-Round Event, AVA-sanctioned walk, we started in Old Mill Park, walking up to the Canal Path, following it while also taking a short jaunt off to go through Cossey Botanical Garden and past the pond. Continuing on we looped around and connected to the Rappahannock River Heritage Trail. Always a great scenic walk – plus it felt really good to walk off all the turkey and sides from the holiday.
From Our November 16th, 2024, Walk in Lake Accotink Park, Springfield, VA
We had gorgeous fall weather for a 4-mile walk in Lake Accotink Park, Springfield, VA – sponsored by the Northern VA Volksmarchers Club. Thirty-six walkers participated, including several from the Northern VA club. FWC member, Beth Stenstrom who, due to a sprained ankle, was unable to walk, but regardless enjoyed being in the scenic park. It was great to be out walking around beautiful Lake Accotink on leaf-covered trails through woods, and end our get-together with lunch at Kilroy’s restaurant. Great food, atmosphere, and service.
From Our November 3rd, 2024, Walk on the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail in King George, VA
The weather was perfect for 29 walkers to take part this morning in a 5K walk on the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail in King George, VA. The railroad line was built in the 1940s to support the Navy base at Dahlgren but eventually abandoned in 2006. It was turned into a 15.7-mile trail that is in great shape and is enjoyed by many visitors. Today there was bright, fall colors and the trail was covered in leaves. After the walk, we enjoyed lunch at Vinny’s Italian Grill & Pizzeria in King George.
From Our October 19th, 2024, Walk to Historic Belmont in Falmouth, VA
We had a great turnout on this sunny, fall morning with 45 walkers joining us on our 5K walk to Belmont – artist Gari Melchers’ home and studio. Starting at the Pratt Park trail behind the YMCA water park in Falmouth, VA, we wound our way down the path through woods, crossing River Rd., and then up to the historic estate. Everyone enjoyed walking around the beautiful grounds, gardens, and buildings before heading back to our starting point. Afterwards 20+ people had a delicious brunch at Amy’s Cafe. Thanks to everyone who joined us, and as always, we were very happy to welcome new walkers with our club
From Our October 5th, 2024, Walk at the Historic Fort Germanna and the Siegen Forest
Our club enjoyed a delightful and challenging hike on Saturday, October 5th, 2024, starting at the Fort Germanna Visitor Center in Locust Grove, VA, and continuing along the Red Trail through the 170-acre Siegen Forest. Twenty-six folks hiked/walked to see the historic Germanna Ford Crossing, used by Union Troops during the beginning of the Overland Campaign during the Civil War. We then walked along the beautiful Rapidan River and climbed up to the River Bluff to take in the amazing view! It was quite a climb, but we made it! After the hike, 15 of us enjoyed a delicious lunch at Bella Cucina Mexican Restaurant.
Our Club’s 35th Anniversary Celebration at Curtis Park in Stafford Was So Much Fun!
We celebrated FWC’s 35th Anniversary on September 21st, 2024, at Curtis Memorial Park in Stafford, VA, with a Traditional Walk plus a picnic/party! Fifty people joined us on a beautiful day of sunshine (we were so lucky to have a no-rain event!) as we shared our 5K/10K walks, food, fellowship, and fun. Delicious brats and hotdogs were grilled, with sauerkraut and other wonderful sides available. All to be topped off with a piece of our scrumptious cake decorated with our club logo. Everyone had a great time, plus the VP of our club, Don Shockey, reached a milestone in his walking career of 10,000 kilometers! Amazing – we are so proud and in awe of him! Many thanks to the equally amazing staff at Stafford Parks and Rec who went out of their way to be sure the pavilion and surrounding area was ready for us. A great time had by all!
From Our Sept. 7th, 2024, Walk in Fredericksburg, VA, on the First Half of Our New Civil Rights Year-Round-Event Walk
It was a great morning for 34 of us to walk the first 5K of FWC’s new Year-Round-Event Walk on the Civil Rights Trail in downtown Fredericksburg, VA. Our YRE incorporates the trail, developed by Mary Washington University and the city of Fredericksburg, plus other stops that go by a few AVA special program sites (i.e. Veterans Memorial & Love sign). Trail Master, Rick Sisco, led us on a very informative journey, stopping at historical landmarks and giving us background information along the way. The trail recognizes places and people significant to the Civil Rights Movement. Afterwards, about 20 of us had a very nice lunch at Castiglia’s Italian Restaurant. for more info on the trail, click here: https://fxbg.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/N50079-Civil-Rights-Trail-Booklet.pdf.
From Our August 24th, 2024, Walk on the Ni River Trail in Spotsylvania County, VA
It was a great day for our Ni River Trail walk on August 24th, 2024, in Spotsylvania County, VA. A great group of 37 walkers joined us for a beautiful walk through the forest and by the river. Afterwards we had lunch at Legends Grille in Fredericksburg.
From Our August 11th, 2024, Walk in Burke, VA
We had a great turnout doing the “Six Ponds” Year-Round-Event Walk in Burke, VA, sponsored by the Northern VA Volksmarchers club. Rob, VP of the NVV, led 21 walkers from our club along a 7K route through beautiful woods and neighborhoods, and past six lovely ponds. Luckily, we had a sunny, lower temperature/humidity day. Afterwards, 18 of us enjoyed a good lunch at Villa Bella Restaurant.
From Our July 28th, 2024, Walk at Caledon State Park in King George.
We had a wonderful walk on Sunday, July 28th, 2024, at Caledon State Park in King George, VA. Eighteen of us walked 4 miles through nicely shaded woods on the Boyd’s Hole Trail. Friends of Caledon State Park member, Laura Schlemm, walked and talked with us about some of the history of the park. We also enjoyed the company of her beautiful German Shepard. Afterwards, twelve of us had a delicious lunch at Machodoc Creek Cafe.
From Our July 7th, 2024, Walk in Fredericksburg, VA, on Half of Our New, Civil Rights Year-Round-Event Walk
The FWC had a delightful walk on Sunday, July 7th, 2024, with 20 people walking the second half (5K) of our new Civil Rights Walk. It started at the Shiloh Cemetery (originally called the Shiloh Colored Cemetery which began in 1882). We walked through beautiful old neighborhoods and through Mary Washington University. The campus is gorgeous and rich in history. Twelve of us enjoyed lunch at Brock’s Riverside Grill afterwards. We are all looking forward to walking the first half of this walk in the fall!
From Our June 29th, 2024, Walk in Historic Ashland, VA
The FWC had a very nice turnout of 27 walkers on Saturday, June 29th, 2024, in historic Ashland, VA, where we followed our club’s 5K Year-Round-Walk called, “Ashland Center of the Universe,” (nicknamed that because of the town’s central location in the state). It was hot and humid, but we walked through plenty of shady spots along the way, past train tracks, beautiful neighborhoods, historic buildings and houses, and the Randolph-Macon College campus. Afterwards, were glad to cool off and have a good lunch at Marco’s Italian Restaurant Bar & Grill. Lots of fun and great conversations with our walking friends!
From Our June 15th, 2024, Walk at Crow’s Nest Natural Preserve in Stafford County
On Saturday, June 15th, 2024, twenty-eight walkers gathered for a 5K+ delightful hike in Crow’s Nest Natural Preserve in Stafford County. The trails were well-marked and maintained, and the view of Potomac Creek was gorgeous. The camaraderie was wonderful, as always.
All went well with the exception of a tree that fell across the road blocking our exit from the park! It happened after we arrived and before we left, so nobody’s car was damaged. Our folks tried to move the tree off the road but were unsuccessful. After phone calls, a very nice woman from the park staff came with a chainsaw and cleared away the tree! By then we were really hungry, and twenty-one of us continued on to enjoy a delicious lunch at El Viejon Mexican Restuarant. Another wonderful day with this fun club!
FWC’s One-Day Traditional Otter Walk on Saturday, June 1st, 2024, Was Otter-ly Amazing!
The FWC had an otter-ly amazing one-day, traditional walking event in downtown Fredericksburg on Saturday, June 1st, 2024. Ninety-two wonderful walkers took part on a perfect weather day to wind through the ‘burg’s historic streets, past seven otter statues that were placed throughout to celebrate the return of otters to the Rappahannock River. A very special treat was being able to meet Steven and Stewart Wegner, the artists who created the statues, and tour their Foundry and Gallery while learning about the process. An eighth otter statue is inside their building. 10K walkers ventured further, going down the VCR Trail to beautiful Alum Spring Park and back. Many thanks, once again, to the fantastic folks at the Italian Station Coffee Shop & Bakery on Caroline St., for allowing us to use their facility for our start/finish tables. It was a great day!
Our April 21st, 2024, Traditional Walk in Historic Orange, VA, Was a Success!
On Sunday, April 21st, 2024, the FWC hosted a Traditional Walk in Historic Orange, VA. We had 45 walkers plus a few members who stopped by to say hello! VA Volkssport Association President, Tim Miner, gave a short speech and presented Outstanding Volunteer certificates and patches to long-time club members, Kay Shoemaker and Joan Hradecky. These were originally presented to our club on April 6th at the AVA Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference in Dover, DE, which Kay and Joan were unable to attend. Congratulations to both! Many thanks to Orange County Tourism volunteer, Ruth Pavlik, for opening the visitor center early and hanging out with us all day. The 5K and 10K walks were great, starting at the 1910 train station/visitor center, and then walking past historic buildings and homes with beautiful gardens. Afterwards some folks ate lunch at Mario’s Italian Restaurant or the BBQ Exchange. It was a good day!
From April 20th, 2024, When We Took Part in a Walking Event Sponsored by the Northern VA Volksmarching Club
Saturday, April 20th, 2024, a group of FWC members had fun traveling up to Burke, VA, to take part in a walking event sponsored by the Northern VA Volksmarching Club, celebrating their 40th Anniversary. It was a great 5K walk through lovely woods and neighborhoods, and around Lake Barton. Afterwards we had a nice meal at Vill Bella Restaurant.
From Our March 16th, 2024, Walk in Loriella Park, Fredericksburg, VA
Our wonderful group had an enjoyable walk in Loriella Park on a great weather day. Thirty-plus walkers gathered for a 5K that went around the pool and some athletic fields, through the woods and past a lovely pond on the Massaponax Trail, and past two cemeteries (the Gordon Family and another for enslaved African Americans from the 1800s). Spotsylvania Parks and Rec had a Leprechaun Scavenger Hunt for kids and we enjoyed spotting them as well. After our walk twenty of us had a great lunch at Harry’s Ale House at Harrison Crossing. Good times!
From Our February 24th, 2024, Walk in Historic Downtown Manassas, VA
Although a little windy and chilly, about 30 walkers traveled to downtown Manassas and enjoyed either a 5k or 10k walk through historic streets and residential neighborhoods. This walk, called “Find the Love in Historic Manassas,” is a Year-Round-Event sponsored by the Wood and Dale Wanderers club. Starting at the old Train Depot (1914), which is now the Visitor Center, we paused at the Love & Hope sign for a group photo, then continued on past the Manassas Cemetery down city streets and through subdivisions with beautiful old homes, interesting architecture, historic churches and buildings. Afterwards, a large group of us ate good food at a restaurant called Manza, which did a great job considering 20 people arrived at once with only a hour notice!
From Our February 10th, 2024, Walk in Historic Culpeper, VA
The weather was on our side this morning for the FWC to have a great, no rain walk in Culpeper, VA – one of our club’s Year-Round-Events, sanctioned by the AVA. Around 50 walkers enjoyed either a 5K or 10K walk through Culpeper’s historic streets into Yowell Meadow Park, where we passed numerous monuments and plaques telling of the town’s long history dating back to the Revolutionary War through the Civil War. Afterwards, many of us had a wonderful lunch at Luigi’s Italian Restaurant.
From Our January 27th, 2024, Walk on the First Day at Chancellorsville Battlefield
This morning, an awesome group of 51 walkers (and 3 dogs) enjoyed walking on the First Day of Chancellorsville Battlefield in Fredericksburg, VA. This is one of FWC’s Year-Round-Event walks (YRE), with the option of 5k, 8k, or 10k distances – and some folks chose to walk longer distances. It’s a great walk, with 12 historic plaques along the natural surface trail that explain how the battle unfolded. Afterwards, a group of about 20 had a nice lunch at Basilico New York Deli.
From Our January 13th, 2024, Walk in Lorton, VA
On the morning of January 13th, 43 enthusiastic walkers gathered at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, VA, for a 5K walk that is one of the Northern VA Volksmarchers Club’s year-round-events (YRE). FWC members were very happy to meet some of their club members and walk with them. It was a beautiful morning, despite being chilly and breezy, walking through the Workhouse property (which has such an interesting history), then down the road and into Occoquan Regional Park on nicely paved trails through the forest and along the Occoquan River. Winding our way back to the Workhouse, we paused at the Turning Point Suffragist Memorial and the historic Beehive Brick Kiln. Afterwards some walkers visited the Workhouse Museum and art studios and/or had lunch at the Brickmakers Cafe. All-in-all, a really nice experience for all of us!
From Our First Day of 2024 Walk from Downtown Fredericksburg to Chatham
An amazing group of 74 people joined us the morning of January 1st for our First Day of 2024 walk in Fredericksburg. Starting at the Visitor Center, we walked a few blocks through town, crossing the Chatham Bridge – where we had beautiful views of the Rappahannock – onto the Pratt Park trail. From there we segued onto the grounds of Chatham, pausing to take in its incredible history and view the wonderful Fredericksburg skyline across the river. We then circled back the way we came to the starting point for a total of about 4.5 miles. Thank you to everyone who walked with us, and to all the new folks who came – so glad to meet you. It was a great way to start the new year having fun with wonderful people.
Fredericksburg Walking Club 