August Newsletter - Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail

Community, Connection & Caring for the Trail

As summer begins to wind down, we are looking ahead to a busy September filled with opportunities to gather, explore, create, and care for the places we love. The Friends of the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail are especially excited to be working alongside our neighbors at Friends of Caledon State Park on several upcoming activities. Partnerships like these remind us that our trail is part of a much larger community of public lands, outdoor recreation, history, and people who care deeply about King George County.

Horse Enthusiasts: Join the Conversation

Friday, September 18 | 6:00–7:00 p.m.
St. John’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall, King George

Following a recent public meeting with members of the equestrian community, we would like to continue the conversation about horseback riding and the Dahlgren Trail.

Horse enthusiasts are invited to join us at our September meeting to meet members of the Friends group, share perspectives, and ask questions.

A Weekend of Art at Caledon

The Friends of the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail and Friends of Caledon State Park are joining forces for a special weekend celebrating creativity and the outdoors.

The art show will open September 18, with the main Seurat Sunday: Art in the Park event taking place on:

Sunday, September 20 | 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
Caledon State Park

Artists are invited to bring their own materials, explore the park by scenic wagon ride, and find inspiration in Caledon’s beautiful landscape. A reception will follow, and the event will include a silent auction.

Proceeds from the event will be shared among FCCA, Friends of Caledon, and Friends of the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail, making this a wonderful example of local organizations working together to support art, recreation, and our community.

The event is free. Call 540-663-3861 to register.

Sunset Yoga with the Eagles

Saturday, September 26 | 5:30–7:30 p.m.
Caledon State Park

Cultivate focus, grounding, and perspective with nature as your guide.

Join the Traveling Yogi for a special open-air yoga experience overlooking the Potomac River. Participants will take a two-mile wagon ride to the Marsh Overlook, where the group will practice among Caledon’s majestic trees while watching the changing colors of sunset.

And then there are the eagles.

The overlook places participants at nearly the same flight level as the Bald Eagles that call this area home, offering the possibility of seeing these magnificent birds in their natural habitat. The evening may also bring sightings and sounds of other wildlife, perhaps even a Barred Owl on the return journey.

Cost: $20 per person
Check-in: 5:30 p.m. at the Caledon State Park Visitor Center
Bring: Yoga mat and blanket
Pre-registration required: 540-663-3861

Caledon State Park
11617 Caledon Road
King George, VA 22485

Musicians, Bring Your Instruments!

We thought an art weekend could use a little music, too.

On Saturday, September 19 from 5:30–7:30 p.m., we are planning an informal musicians’ jam session at Caledon State Park. This is simply an opportunity for local musicians to meet one another, play together, and enjoy an evening in the park.

Bring an instrument, bring a friend, or simply come listen and enjoy the music.

Cooler Weather Means Trail Work!

The first hint of cooler weather also means it is time to get back out on the DRHT for some group maintenance days.

Dates for these work days will be announced soon.

If you helped us with trail maintenance earlier this summer, we would love to have you back. If you have never volunteered before, this is a great time to join us. Bring the tools and experience you are comfortable using, and there will be plenty of jobs for many different skill levels.

And we agree that trail work should not be all work.

After each cleanup, we hope to stick around for some food, drinks, and time together. One of the best parts of volunteering with the Dahlgren Trail is the community that has grown around it. We accomplish a lot when we work together, but we also genuinely enjoy one another’s company.

Volunteer Interest Form

See You on the Trail

Whether you come out to make art, practice yoga beside the Potomac, talk horses, pick up a pole saw, play some music, or simply take a walk on the DRHT, we hope you will find a way to join us this fall.

The Friends of the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail exists because people believe this place is worth caring for. Every volunteer hour, partnership, conversation, event, donation, and visit helps us protect the trail today while building its future.

Thank you for being part of it.

~Laurie Schlemm, President, Friends of the Dahlgren Railroad Heritage Trail