I very much love DC, hopefully that is obvious, but this is giving me pause… Thanks to a reader for sending from Sotheby’s International Realty:

“Belize Sotheby’s International Realty is excited to offer this charming Caye Caulker oceanfront cottage! The home was constructed in 2012 and is being sold completely furnished. The property has split living quarters with two units. Consider living in one and renting the other! On the ground floor you’ll find a 1bed/1bath 650 sq.ft. studio. Up the flight of stairs you’ll have access to a 2bed/ 2 full bath apartment with 1200 sq. ft. including the 3rd floor loft. Tastefully decorated with a Caribbean flair and very unique items. Some reclaimed building materials including doors, decor and accent pieces have been gathered from throughout Belize.The sandy lot measures 99 x 147 and has both mature trees and new growth. Plenty of space for constructing additional indoor/outdoor living space! Very unique and a “must see” for anyone looking for a vacation home, rental opportunity or considering relocating. As an investment, you will gain instant equity, as the property was previously sold at a much higher price, and Belize is now more poplar than ever before! Close to amenities, in a quiet area, right on the water…what more could you ask for?! Caye Caulker has so much to offer with water activities including snorkeling, diving, fishing and wind surfing. On land, join in on birdwatching and enjoy over 100 species, some of which are rarely found elsewhere! Walking around town you’ll notice well over 2 dozen gift shops, many markets, and local artisans. When you are ready to dine, more than 25 restaurants offer Belizean and international cuisine, including fresh seafood with lobster, conch and red snapper as seasonal specialties. Belize is a very special place, and Caye Caulker is one of the many reasons why!”

The 3 bed/3 bath is listed at $489,000.

Photo by PoPville flickr user MJWein

“Hi everyone,

Im new to the area and looking for the best areas near DC (preferably within an hour of the city to go and make a bonfire with some friends. Not necessarily overnight camping, just a place that we can go to hang out around a bonfire, make smores and enjoy a nice cozy fire lit evening

thanks for any advice”

You can see all forum topics and add your own here. If you are having trouble uploading your question please email me at princeofpetworth(at)gmail Please Note this is NOT an events calendar.

From an email:

“Appaloosa is DC’s (only) Roots Music Festival – now going in to our second year.

We host our festival in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in Front Royal, VA on Labor Day Weekend (September 3-4), and have 42 bands on 5 stages, good food, beer, wine – and community. The adults have fun (our headliners include Scythian, The Black Lillies, Mipso, Humming House, Penny & Sparrow, and Socks in the Frying Pan) as do the kids, with children under 13 coming free, and workshops by headliners, camping, and horseback riding. Also – we have late-night jams, discounts for active duty military and veterans, and 10% goes to charity. As for sponsors – we have The Hamilton Live sponsoring our main stage, as well as Starr Hill Brewery, Bold Rock Hard Cider, and WAMU Bluegrass Country, among others. We like to consider the community we’re building, as “Music Among Friends.”

So what happens when you wear a Dogfish Head jacket featured in a photo used in a story about PoPville? For me, I got to go to beer heaven. Now, I’ve gone on record in the past as saying I’m a Dogfish Head fanatic. Aprihop (RIP) was the beer at my wedding reception. And of course, I wear a Dogfish Head jacket for Christ’s sake… Anyway back to beer heaven. Long story short, after seeing my photo in the paper the fine folks from Dogfish Head asked if I’d like to visit the brewery (Milton, DE), the Inn (Lewes, DE) and their new restaurant, Chesapeake & Maine (Rehoboth, DE). Hell yes I would. Hell fucking yes I would. And I did last weekend. My wife and I drove to the brewery in Milton first about 2.5 hours from DC.

I had been once back in 2010 and man oh man have things changed. It’s gotten much bigger… If you go, while the tasters are fun, you have to go on a tour. It lasts about an hour and even if you’re not a fanatic it’s incredibly interesting. Well shit, I don’t know, I am a fanatic, so I’m just guessing that if you’re not a fanatic you’ll like it too because our tour guide was freaking awesome:

This is Duane “not the rock” Johnson (though he was gigantic) schooling us on the history of Dogfish Head and it’s origins. But make no mistake, this dude knew his beer (and some good stories). And if you are a fanatic you’ll get giddy over all the inner workings and gadgets: Read More

Photo by PoPville flickr user Shamila Chaudhary

From an email:

“From June 8th-19th, we, along with the National Park Service, will be presenting 12 paddle events over 11 days on the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers. From novice to advanced, from a few hours to a few days, there are excursions for everyone. We’ll have a full moon paddle. an overnight camping trip, and educational trips rich with history.

All the details can be found here.”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Lorie Shaull

Thanks to a reader for sending:

“Some news to soften the blow of Ski Center (potentially?) closing… Shuttle to Whitetail Mountain:

“A New York-based outdoor activity company will begin offering bus trips from Washington, DC to Whitetail Ski Resort on many Saturdays this winter, providing a hassle-free way to make it to the slopes for those who lack cars or prefer not to drive.”

Ed. Note: About Ski Center – a commenter, Kirk, posted:

“Hello my name is Kirk
I do work at Ski Center
The owner is retiring
The inventory is being sold , during a sale , but not ” “liquidated”
The owner is accepting qualified offers to buy the Ski Center , and wants a new owner who will retain management and the core values of what his family and staff have built for 5 decades .
We are all hopeful and realistic that when one door closes it allows for other doors to open
We too love skiing and riding …. We hope to be involved in that pursuit for some time to come .
Kirk
Service manager
Ski Center”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Brian Mosley

“Dear PoPville,

My cousin is leaving to study abroad and will be at Dulles for 8 hours on Sunday. I’m thinking about driving down and getting her out of the airport for a bit, even if it’s just for a meal to hangout. I am seeking recommendations on where to go/how to spend a few hours since I’ve only been to Dulles a handful of times in 8 years.”

How ’bout visiting the Mosaic District? Any other ideas?

Photo by PoPville flickr user Lucas Keene

“Dear PoPville,

I am a car-less DC resident and looking for a way I could do a day trip (or even overnight or weekend long) to a ski resort without having to rent a car on my own. Do you know of any bus companies that organize excursions to local ski spots? I know there are bus trips in the summer to river tubing, etc. It would only make sense if there was the same for skiing!”

Photo by Michael Martin

From an email:

“‘Tis the Season for Foliage – 5 Hiking Picks

Local guidebook authors Jennifer Adach and Michael Martin have racked up thousands of miles hiking and backpacking in the Mid-Atlantic area leading trips for the D.C. Ultralight Backpacking group and writing guidebooks for the Appalachian Mountain Club, most recently AMC’s Best Day Hikes in the Shenandoah Valley.

“Believe it or not, it is possible—you can score your fall leaf peeping fix and dodge the crowds along Skyline Drive. Some of our favorite hikes for a huge dose of red and yellow foliage are all within an easy drive of the Washington, D.C. area.

• Shenandoah River State Park: Get river views and a woodsy walk along this hike in one of Virginia’s state parks. As you walk along the Shenandoah River, you’ll get a nice look at nearby Massanutten Mountain. Benches abound along this hike, giving you plenty of spots to stop and enjoy the day. (6.5 miles, moderate. Park fee.)
• Strickler Knob: A rock scramble and views of the Shenandoah Valley await you at the top of this hike. Keep a keen eye out for the side trail to the Knob, which leads you up and over boulders before opening up into one of the better views in the area. (10 miles, strenuous)
• Signal Knob: Smack-dab in the middle of this hike is Signal Knob itself, but both the climb up and down provide great views of the northern Shenandoah Valley and the town of Strasburg. Signal Knob was used by both sides during the Civil War as a key vantage point. (10 miles, strenuous)
• Little Devils Stairs: Go into Shenandoah via the back door. The “staircase” starts outside the park, and then clambers up a steep gorge leading you along one of Shenandoah’s most picturesque climbs. Check out the Bolen Cemetery, one of the park’s more than 100 cemeteries and a reminder of those who once called this area home. (5.7 miles, moderate. Park fee.)
• Three Ridges: If you’re up for adventure and a longer drive, Three Ridges will deliver magnificent views and a heart-pumping workout. When you get to the first of several viewpoints, you’ll agree that the effort was well-worth the reward. (13.2 miles, strenuous) (Up for a drive, but not the miles? Nearby Spy Rock is a short but stout three-mile hike that affords 360 views of the area.)”

Photo by PoPville flickr user Jennifer Crawford

“Dear PoPville,

I’m thinking of chartering a boat for about 20 people to celebrate my husband’s birthday in June, and wondered if anyone has recommendations in Annapolis? Maybe a cruise from Annapolis to St. Michael’s? Any advice is appreciated.”