It was on one of these drives that we discovered Beaver Dam Reservoir in Ashburn, Virginia. In fact, getting lost always seems to be the best thing that can happen to us. One wrong turn and you find just the right place to be.
We pulled down a gravel road and were shocked to see such a beautiful view, so unexpectedly and a few miles off the main road. We parked and sat for what seemed like hours, admiring the people on their boats floating in what seemed like one of the most peaceful places we had ever seen.
I turned to Ben, "I want a boat." He smiled and nodded.
Beaver Dam inspired our frenzied craiglist search. Less than two weeks later we had our perfect boat, a 1973 Snark Sunflower.
WANTED: a boat
Requirements: It must float
Canoe, kayak, inflatable raft, sunfish, lazer, snark
I got the reply a couple weeks after we drove down that strange gravel road. "I have a Snark, it's yours if you come pick it up."
A day later we thanked her and drove off with our brand new dusty yellow snark tied to the roof of the Subaru.
A few days later we took it down to Beaverdam reservoir. no sail, no rudder, and a pair of solid oak oars.
We spun in circles a bunch (who knew a rudder was THAT important), had a picnic, and smiled. A lot.
We have been back to the reservoir dozens of times. Every season, every weather, every time of day. On the water, on the trails, on the beaches, on the rock by the parking lot. Fall is amazing for an evening picnic, watching the sunset. Sliding across the shoreline ice in the Winter brings back memories of decades past. The streams are enjoyable to jump over in the Spring, provided you don't slide in the mud. The beaches in the Summer aren't exactly someplace to dig in your toes.
There are plenty of better places to hike around here. The trails are average. The shoreline is nothing more than dried mud, some rocks, and reeds. But it is the tropical paradise stuck in the middle of Monday rush hour that makes this place so special.
As you row into a cove and turn around to see the dancing ripples in the water, you'll smile to yourself at how you've finally left that busy world behind.
I'm building an antenna.
Transmissions will be sent when I am through.
Maybe we could meet again further down the river.
And share what we both discovered.
Then revel in the view.
~Incubus
Pros: Close to home, calm water, not too busy, secluded coves if you have a boat, beautiful sunsets, outstanding views in the Fall
Cons: average trails, directed more towards those with a boat
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| Small Dock at Sunset, May 2012 |
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| Heading into a Cove, May 2012 |
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| Main dock at Sunset, May 2012 |
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| View from the trail, February 2011 |
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| At the end of the trail, February 2011 |
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| Sunset, June 2011 |
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| Exploring Coves, May 2012 |
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| Beautiful Views, May 2012 |
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| The Frozen Reservoir, January 2011 |
