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385 words
If you read about Fredericksburg, Virginia,
on Wikipedia, you will learn that is a city on the
Rappahannock River in Virginia, south of
Washington, D.C. known for its colonial and
Civil War history, and it’s home to the 4
battlefields of the Fredericksburg and
Spotsylvania National Military Park.
I do love history, but not war, so the
battlefields are not my favorite thing
here, nor even the history in general.
It was fascinating when I first moved
here, and I certainly visited all the
historical properties several
times in the first decade I lived
here, but it’s not the most imporant thing about Fredericksburg to me. I’m
grateful for historic preservation, but I can travel to see it, I don’t have to live in it.
Likewise, the four distinct seasons have been fascinating to me over the two decades I’ve lived here, having grown up in San Diego, but I hate driving in snow and ice and would like less humidity in the summers. I do love the huge burst of life in the spring, and Dogwood, the state flower, is one of the most beautiful of all blooms (even though it’s not a flower technically!). I’m also so glad Fredericksburg is a blue island in a political red sea.
One of the best things about this area is the library system, consisting of several locations,
a modern system that makes it easy to find what we want, and many programs for
the community. They are a great meeting place for homeschoolers too!
There are a few great farmers’ markets around here, some wonderful
restaurants, and opportunities for musicians, actors, and photographers.
But I think my favorite thing about this town
is its walkability. There are miles
and miles of pathways around and through town,
by the river, tree-lined,
paved and labeled, protected
from traffic. I can
always walk around
town and never tire
of it because I can vary
my route every time. Many
people use these paths too.
I love to see crowds of people walking beside
the river on sunny days. As someone whose
chosen form of exercise is walking, walkability
is required wherever I live.
I almost forgot to mention the river. I’m glad
for it too! I need a river, at least, if I can’t have the ocean.
