Lately northern Virginia has been experiencing warmer weather, reaching the 60s. It has been a nice change from the cold, icy days of January. This nice weather has been great for the spring sports teams starting up. Hopefully, over the next few weeks it will continue to get even warmer and sunnier. 

This should be great for spring break, which is April 11-18th. The weather at that time is predicted to be in the 60s and 70s! If you’re staying here over break, it will be perfect weather for participating in local activities. Believe it or not, there is plenty to do near Kettle Run during spring break. 

Visiting local restaurants is a great way to support the community while also enjoying some good food. Farm Station Cafe and Covert Cafe are closest to Kettle Run as they’re located in Vint Hill. Some more good restaurants include Northside 29, Frost Diner, El Agave, Fosters Grill, Spitony’s, Brooklyn Brothers, and Blue Ridge Seafood. Afterwards, stopping by Effees or Carousel would be a nice stop for some frozen sweet treats. All of these places are businesses you won’t find anywhere else. 

Another great way to pass time is to visit local breweries and wineries. Many have nice land with good views, along with nonalcoholic alternatives. Old Bust Head is a well-known brewery in Fauquier, and is enjoyable for the whole family. It offers live music, game nights, outdoor seating, rootbeer floats, and food trucks. Across the street is Vint Hill Craft Winery, which is on a nice property and has a historic past. Its history and vintage labeling ties in well with the Cold War Museum right next door. There are many breweries and wineries within an hours drive, and you could explore and see which ones are most enjoyable!

One awesome thing about Northern Virginia is the abundance of hiking trails. On good weather days, a walk through nature can be a really fun activity. Very close by is Conway Robinson State Forest, Whitney State Forest, Vint Hill Farms Park, and Bull Run Occoquan Park. All have trails of differing distances, beautiful views, and the comfort of the outdoors. If you’re willing to drive a little further, Shenandoah National Park has some really amazing spots. You can drive along Skyline Drive and stop at outlooks, walk the many interconnected trails, and visit several waterfalls. This is a perfect place for a day trip. 

Lastly, in the Nova area there are many historical sites. The Cold War has some history in Vint Hill, but prominently the Civil War has locations all across Virginia. More major civil war battles were fought in Virginia than in any other state. The closest site to Fauquier would be Manassas National Battlefield Park. This park preserves the location of two major Civil War battles: the First Battle of Bull Run and the Second Battle of Bull Run. There are few stone houses left behind, stone walls, fences, and exhibits to see. It can be quite interesting to learn about these major historical events that happened so close to home. It’s also a great location for hiking. 

Overall, there are many activities to do over Spring Break, even if you are staying home. However, it might be nice to just relax at home or chill at the pool. Just having a week off from school is good enough for me! Let’s look forward to Spring Break and Easter, and hope this nice weather keeps on heating up.