A Walk About
Taking in the Sights of Our New Little Town
Finally Getting Out For a Walk
There are few things I enjoy more than taking a long walk on a brisk but sunny winter’s day. I’m a guy who likes to take long walks. Unfortunately, since we moved here in September, I haven’t taken enough of them. In fact, here at home, the only other long walk I’ve taken was back in mid-December, when I did a battlefield tour in town, retracing the steps of the Irish Brigade at the Battle of Fredericksburg. Usually, I’ve been too busy still getting us settled into this sprawling estate.
By early afternoon, I found myself with a Sunday afternoon and nothing in particular that I had to do around the house, or any errands I had to run. I didn’t really feel like sitting around all day, so I put on my hiking boots, a couple of layers to protect against the cold, threw a cut-up apple, orange, some peanut butter pretzel combos and water into a back pack, filled a travel mug of hot coffee, and took to the woods.
The Woods Out Back
I didn’t have to go far for the woods — they start right in our back yard. In fact, our property line actually extends about 150 feet into the woods. It’s a steep hill down to a creek that runs along the bottom. There’s not really a path in these woods, but at this time of year, with very little growth happening, you can maneuver through them, and I did.
Historic Falmouth
I wandered down the long slope to the west, eventually hitting civilization down by Rt. 1. I exited the woods there, crossed the highway, and headed south towards historic Falmouth. I had originally planned to mosey down by the river (the Rapahannock River, that separates Falmouth from Fredericksburg proper), but as I walked through the historic part of town, I was drawn up this one street that had interesting looking houses.
Gari Melchers Home and Studios
As I climbed the street, a large estate at the top of the hill came into view. This turned out to be Gari Melchers’ home and studio. The following is from GariMelchers.org — “The 18th-century Belmont estate was the home and studio of prominent portraitist and American Impressionist painter Gari Melchers (1860–1932) from 1916 until his death. The Georgian mansion, outbuildings, and formal gardens were modified and expanded to serve as an elegant country retreat for the artist and his wife, who left their European home at the outbreak of World War I.
“Melchers was one of the most respected artists of his generation as a portraitist, muralist, and landscape painter. Upon Mrs. Melchers’ death in 1955, the property and all its contents were deeded to the Commonwealth of Virginia, making Belmont one of the most complete and authentic artists’ homes anywhere”.
I didn’t tour the studio or the house — just touring the grounds was a true treat on this fine day in February. I love that I could just stumble onto such a cool spot in my first walk-about in my new little town (while Falmouth is technically considered part of Fredericksburg, it is actually in a different county — Stafford — than Fredericksburg proper, which lies across the Rappahannock River from Falmouth).
I have previously toured Chatham Manor, which is also within 2 miles of our house, a place of much historic significance, including the site from which the Union launched its attack that began the Battle of Fredericksburg in the Civil War. Just a little further up the road from Chatham Manor is George Washington’s boyhood home, known as Ferry Farm.
A Prime Quiet Time Spot
But, for this fine day, the heel and toe express that I was on was content to roam the grounds that Gari Melchers once roamed. When I spied a couple of rockers on his back porch, I climbed the cool twisting stone stairway to the porch, where a I took a break, did some quiet time and meditation, enjoying the view of the little ridge I live on top of, across the way.
Down By the River
I chose a route along the river to begin making my way back to that ridge, which I climbed with gusto and felt a deep gratitude, right down to my toes, to live in such a place where a couple hour’s walk-about would cover such interesting ground, and contain such cool sights. I’m really glad we moved here!
