Where?
This spot is in suburban Northern Virginia, behind a skate rink that my brother used to skate at. On days when he had hockey practice, my mom and I would walk through the woods and talk.
What is this place like?
This place has mountain biking trails that are frequented by families and pros alike, and has a stream running along side it. The path is hilly at times but the walk is never strenuous and there are several miles of trail.
Why is it meaningful to me?
To me, this spot holds a lot of memories and has facilitated lots of really wonderful discussions with my mom. When I visited it over the thanksgiving break, I actually went with her, and in the spirit of old times, we walked and talked for about an hour and a half, only stopping because it was getting dark. I love that my mom and I are able to connect in such a beautiful place.
Comparison to Trin Woods
Similar to Trin Woods, this place also has many Red and White oaks. It however has no Eastern White Pines or Hemlocks, and instead has lots of American Beech. There are very few ferns or mushrooms that are visible when walking along the path, and there are few felled logs as these trails are mainly used for mountain biking, and that would be quite dangerous.