National Park Week, Now through April 29!

"Noah at a Cannon, Manassas National Battlefield Park"
(C) Allen Pearson

WOOF! Gather your human and take a trip. Where? To the National Parks in your area. National Park Week goes through April 29. Barkingly, we have two in Prince William County, VA, where we can have a pawing good time with our humans, the Manassas National Battlefield Park and the Prince WIlliam Forest Park. WOOF!

"Cannon in the Field"
(C) Allen Pearson

Why visit the Manassas National Battlefield Park? BARK! Why not?! For the dog, there are pawlenty of places to take long pawsome walks with your humans. Remember to take along a leash as its required for humans to be leashed with their dogs… can’t let those humans get out of control, you know! WOOF!  For the human? The beauty and serenity of Virginia’s countryside help the stress go away.  You’ll see the landscape as the soldiers did over 150 years ago.

The Manassas National Battlefield Park is conveniently located just west of the City of Manassas and off two major roads, I-66 and VA Rte. 234. The Visitor Center is located off Rte. 234 near the main entrance. A pawsome start to your visit is to stop in here.  Barkingly, dogs are not permitted in the Visitors Center unless they are Service Dogs.

"Cannons at Chinn Ridge"
(C) Allen Pearson

Another pawsome reason to visit the Manassas National Battlefield this week is to learn what happened in 1861 and 1862. Why did the first major battle of the Civil War happen at Manassas?  What caused the war?  A pawcellent resource to start your trip is National Park Service - Manassas National Battlefield Park.

WOOF! While dogs are not permitted in the historic buildings, except Service Dogs, humans and dogs can walk up to the buildings and read the signs which have pawsome detail. Pawlease remember to take poop bags with you as you walk through the park as it is the law for humans to pick their dogs “gifts.”

Humans are invited to join the Manassas Battlefield Trust to meet like-minded humans committed to the belief, “History Matters.”

"Scenic Drive, Prince William Forest Park"
(C) Allen Pearson

A pawsome way to spend the day- to bark the least!

About two months ago, my human and I took off to the Prince William Forest Park. My human grew up in the Manassas-Prince William County area before going off to college and returning to work. Through all these years, he never visited the Prince William Forest Park. Paws, one day, we took off and went for a visit! WOOF!

The Prince William Forest Park is a pawsome quiet, and calm, a natural oasis from today's craziness of I-95 and an ever-growing suburban area. The park opened in 1936 as a children’s relief camp during the Great Depression and was named in 1948. The barkingly pawsome beautiful woods and streams welcome campers, hikers, bicyclists and nature lovers! WOOF!

"Trail at Carter's Pond"
(C) Allen Pearson

WOOF! Our first stop was at the Visitor’s Center where we learned a bit about the park. Yes, there are snakes there. Barkingly, they were probably sleepin’ when we were there! At least, I hoped and my human hoped as well, I digress. We learned about the importance of the park, it’s trees and plants. The Park Ranger wasn’t impressed with my comments about the importance of trees. BARKS!

"Me!"
(C) Allen Pearson

We decided to tour the park out with plans to return this Spring! After the visit to the Visitor’s Center, we took the Scenic Drive throughout the park. Since the day was still a bit chilly, we didn’t walk the trails as far as we will this Spring. WOOFS! The trails are where my Service Dog training will come  pawsomely handy as my human holds a leash to assist on the trails.

Prince William Forest Park is pawsomely amazing! During the warmer seasons, they have barks of activities. I think I need to go visit a tree….

Visit a National Park this weekend and celebrate our pawsome heritage! Barkingly, it pawsome to get outside with your human and spend the day! Remember, take a leash, humans must be leashed, and poop bags. WOOF!

"Carter's Pond!"
(C) Allen Pearson