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Residents of Old Mine Ranch in Dumfries include llamas, goats, lambs, donkeys, ponies, chickens, rabbits and ducks.
The Bug Box is home to a variety of creepy- |
By COLLETTE CAPRARA
For THE FREE LANCE-STAR
Curious kids love to get up close to the animals they've learned about in books. The following is a sample of numerous spots in the area where young animal lovers can hear a pig grunt, watch a spider spin a web or run a finger through a sheep's fluffy coat.
l The Bug Box
10822A Courthouse Road, Spotsylvania.
Open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Open Saturdays after Labor Day. $2 for a self-guided tour, $3 for a presentation, children under 2 admitted free. 540/710-0776, bugbox.net
As evening falls on these late-summer days, the rhythmic chirping of insects drifts through our windows. Who are they and what are they up to? The answers to these and other questions about the tiny inhabitants of our yards are provided at the Bug Box, an innovative insect zoo.
"People are always surprised to learn that there are annual cicadas as well as those that have a 17-year cycle," said Cindy Robinson, who co-owns the Bug Box with her husband, Barry. "The ones that you hear at night are the males. It's their mating call. They're singing to get their sweethearts."
This indoor zoo features displays of insect specimens, as well as a host of live exotic creepy-crawlies from around the world, including scorpions, tarantulas, giant millipedes, Madagascar hissing cockroaches, walking sticks and beetles. In addition, it is home to Bob the leopard gecko and Fred, a ball python that was "rescued" from a home by exterminators.
Visitors are welcome to drop in at any time during operating hours for a self-guided visit, and reservations can be made for group presentations. The Bug Box also goes on the road for appearances at schools, day care classes, camp groups, and Scout events.
l Old Mine Ranch
17504 Mine Road, Dumfries.
Open weekends, 10 a.m.-
Old Mine Ranch, a 30-acre farm with a variety of animals to view, pet, and feed, is located in Dumfries. Residents at the ranch include llamas, goats, lambs, donkeys, ponies, chickens, rabbits and ducks, and the smaller animals are available for purchase.
In addition to play areas that include little tractors, a barn moon bounce, a rope swing and tunnel slides, the farm has a hiking trail that passes through woods and more than a mile of river frontage. The cost of admission includes a hay ride and pony ride.
"Children learn about the animals and get to experience family outdoor adventure with a Western theme," said ranch owner Patty Calpin, "and they get to see what a working farm looks like and how we operate."
l Westmoreland Berry Farm
1235 Berry Farm Lane, Oak Grove.
Open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday through Saturday,
Westmoreland Berry Farm lies 40 miles east of Fredericksburg, off State Route 3. This farm features pick-your-own crops (red raspberries are currently in season), as well as a variety of plants and flowers, jams and treats that are sold in its gift shop.
Visitors can hike along the riverfront and on the Voorhees Nature Trail, where more than 90 different species of birds have been identified. Then cool off in the shade of the snack area that specializes in sundaes and shortcake.
By far, the most memorable feature of the farm is the sky-high plank walk on which sure-footed goats cross high above visitors. A special pulley-based bucket has been created so children can send feed up to the goats. Children also can bottle-feed baby goats in their pens below.
l Tamarack Stables Rivers Edge
14511 Spring Mill Road, Stafford.
Open by appointment only. Visits admitted free, with various fees for activities. 540/752-7367,
tamarackstables.com
Tamarack Stables Rivers Edge, located approximately 12 miles north of Fredericksburg off U.S. 17, is a 250-acre farm nestled along the Rappahannock River. Its special feature is a herd of powerful and graceful Andalusian stallions, which are available for purchase.
The farm's owner, Lois Majewski, has been breeding and training horses for 30 years and offers riding lessons ranging from beginner to expert levels for ages 8 and above. Lessons can be private or personalized, and family lessons and group rates are available.
Visitors with riding experience can also take a trail ride, and pony rides are available for youngsters. Groups and families can visit the farm by appointment. The farm hosts birthday parties, and a children's camp is offered during the summer months.
"Doing this is the love of my life," Majewski said. "Give me horses and kids and I'm happy."
l Belvedere Plantation
1601 Belvedere Drive, Spotsylvania.
for field trips: children $7, adults $5 (minimum group reservation $50). For reservations, call 540/373-4478. For information, call 800/641-1212 or 540/371-8494, or visit belvedereplantation.com.
Belvedere Plantation, seven miles southeast of Fredericksburg on U.S. 17, provides groups of children (including school field trips) with fun-packed activities by appointment.
A visit might include interaction with such animals as goats, pigs, geese, chickens and a newly arrived calf at the Old Barnyard area. Dispensers with food for the animals are on-site, as well as a hand-washing station for after-visit cleanups.
Children can ride zip-lines and experience the new 100-foot mountain slide and in-ground tunnel. They also can play in the hay barn with its swinging ropes and participate in hands-on activities.
"These experiences make family memories," said Belvedere spokesperson Colleen Hairston. "It's wonderful to see the light go on in a child's eyes when he runs to pet a goat for the first time."
Collette Caprara is a freelance writer who lives with her family in Spotsylvania.
