surprise and a little awe. It really is a pretty spectacular show.”
Happy Tails Freelance writer Katherine Mercurio Gotthardt of Bristow and her 12-year-old Shiba Inu Shiba agree. The pair has been enjoying the smooth, flat trail for years. Not only is the short path easy on Gotthardt’s bad knees and her aging pup, it also makes her feel closer to nature. “The flowers literally blanket the forest floor with their blue and purple hues, the color heightened by leaves and stems,” Gotthardt says. “The sight of the flowers, the smell of finally thawed air and the joy a pup gets from exploring can bring you away to a more peaceful place even if only for a brief time.” One of the most delightful aspects of the trail, visitors agree, is the way it curves through the forest of wildflowers. Each turn offers a new vista and yet more flowers. Add to that the fact that there are no thorny bushes, pits or other hazards for curious dogs, and you have a wonderful way to spend a morning or afternoon. Those with more energetic dogs can
IF YOU GO: The Bluebell Trail blooms for about two weeks in mid-April. The naturalist-led Bull Run Bluebell Walk will be held Easter Sunday, April 12 at 2 p.m. The walk covers 1.5 miles and lasts about 30 minutes. Participants should meet at the pool parking lot. The event is included with park admission, and no reservations are required, though you should call ahead in the event of bad weather in case it is cancelled. Nature-lovers can also walk the tour without a guide any time the park is open. Admission is free for residents of Alexandria, Arlington, Fairfax City, Fairfax County, Falls Church and Loudoun County. Others pay $7 per vehicle. Hours vary. Bull Run Regional Park is located in Centreville, off exit 52 on I-66, and is about 29 miles west of Washington, D.C. Call 703.631.0550 for updates on the blooming status of the bluebells. For more information visit www. nvrpa.org/parks/bullrun.
continue on the 17-mile Bull-Run Occoquan Trail, a moderately strenuous hike which winds through steep hillsides and deep ravines. Hikers should know, though, that unlike the Bluebell Trail, the Bull-Run Occoquan Trail doesn’t lead back to Bull Run Park. One warning for bluebell lovers with a dog in tow: Virginia Bluebells grow best in stream banks and moist woods. Combined with frequent spring rains, it often makes for a muddy trail so be sure to bring towels to clean off your pup for the car ride home. But a little bit of mud is surely worth it, especially if you and your dog have grown tired of cold weather and bare branches. The vibrant blue flowers, nestled in purplish-green foliage, are a beautiful reminder that spring — and with it, longer days for more walks together — are really just around the corner. ND
Kelly Pike is a freelance writer in Annandale, VA. When she’s not busy writing about business and finance, she and her husband enjoy jaunty walks with their Puggle Lola.
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