dahlgren railroad heritage trail

This is the former right of way for a railway short line that used to transport materials from the main railways out to the Naval Base at Dahlgren. It has, in more recent times, been transferred to private ownership, and the new owner wanted to make it available to the public to use for quiet walks and jogs through the countryside.Sounds like an amazing plan, doesn't it? Well, it is, but not when the worst comes out in selfish landowners.Here's the deal ... some people had large tracts of land in their family when the railroad went in, many years ago. They got paid for the rights to put the line in, and most were agreeable because it was in the interests of the military ... back when people were patriotic and self-sacrificing. Then there are some who got their land at lower prices more recently because there was a rail line running through it. In both situations it shouldn't have come as a surprise that somebody else owned that strip of land, and the rights to use it. But that's not how it worked.When the great idea to convert the land to a "Rails to Trails" was launched, suddenly many of the landowners near the right of way decided that they should be in charge of the land, and nobody but them should use it. They conjured up the worst sort of nightmares about what terrible things MIGHT happen on that strip of land ... most of which were idiotic, if not downright insane. For example: They claimed that drug deals would be made out there in the middle of the night. Think about that for a minute. How many drug dealers are going to take a long hike out into the woods at night when they can just pull up into a remote part of, say, the parking lot of Walmart.Yep. It was ridiculous ... but what made it even more ridiculous is the fact that the spineless Board of Supervisors refused to officially acknowledge that the area is a recreational gem for the county. In fact, one former BoS member ran for the position primarily so that he could oppose the trail. So that's how we've gotten to where we are with this beautiful strip of land. Instead of the county embracing it and developing it, as did Charles County, right across the river, they railed against it! (Yeah ... I meant to say that ... sorry!). So, given the political hot potato that this great opportunity for the county has become, in order to use the trails, you must become a (free) member of the private group that uses and maintains it. Google for more information.

Was there yesterday. Met a family out for a walk while the kids rode their bikes. Wonderful day. We were at the Bloomsbury Road trailhead.

I approached this site with low expectations. I was pleasantly surprised. Some rail to trail conversions suffer from exposure to sun or too many visitors. This one is not widely known but has a great bicycle riding surface and walking path. It is largely under a arch of trees for most segments. Beautiful wetlands and open fields can be seen as you travel comfortable along this path. It is a prospective Virginia State Park with hopes to connect with Caledon State Park in King George County. You have to ask for permission to use the trail but that permission is free and would not be relevant if the trail is included as part of the state park system. This trail is a collaboration of many groups and individuals. I visited a picnic area with large place for a campfire. There also was evidence of a very busy beaver in a wetlands vista along the trail. The trail is immaculately clean and its users appear to be very respectful of surrounding property owners rights. It is a great hike.