Life + Culture

Steeplechasing, Frame by Frame

Article by Melinda Gipson In the rolling countryside of Virginia, where horse racing and hunting are a way of life, one photographer has spent decades capturing the heart and soul of steeplechase racing. Douglas Lees, a photographer and son of a former Master of Warrenton Hunt, has documented more than five decades of equestrian history, preserving moments of grace, power, and frequent drama on the racecourse. Much of the action and pageantry has centered around the Virginia Gold Cup, which...

Life + Culture

Grow Outside!

TimberNook Loudoun County brings kids outdoors to learn life skills, build confidence, and work together. Photography by Courtesy of TimberNook Children today spend more time indoors than ever before, and the consequences are showing up in their development. Pediatric occupational therapist Rebekah Highlander says she has seen the impact firsthand in mental and physical health declines. That realization led Highlander to TimberNook, a nature-based program for children that promotes child-led...

Sports + Recreation

Hit the Trail

Explore the many opportunities to get outside close to home. Article by Beth Rasin | Photography by Photos courtesy of Erin Gifford When the COVID pandemic hit in 2020, many people who’d previously spent little to no time hiking headed from the metro DC region to outdoor opportunities in Shenandoah National Park and the surrounding area. Erin Gifford of Ashburn was one of those. She’d enjoyed a few hikes before, but during the pandemic, she ventured all over to places she’d never known about...

Sports + Recreation

Long On Fun

The scenic Washington & Old Dominion Trail offers enjoyable side stops and healthy fun. Article by Glenye Oakford | Photography by NOVA Parks A paved ribbon of parkland running through some of Northern Virginia’s busiest neighborhoods and greenest countryside, the Washington & Old Dominion Trail—known to many as the W&OD—is more than just a trail. It’s a place to move, connect, and explore. At 45 miles long and just 100 feet wide, it's also affectionately called “Virginia's skinniest park.” ...