Occoquan Virginia Archives - The Pink Chickadee

Growing up, I spent several childhood weekends in the charming town of Occoquan, Virginia. My Dad lived in Occoquan for a few of my childhood years hence the many weekends spent there. Weekends in Occoquan were spent walking my late childhood Yorkie Butters alongside the gorgeous historic streets and alongside the adjacent Occoquan River, getting ice cream at the local ice cream parlors, and dinners and shopping via supporting the local small businesses (which are the only businesses in downtown Occoquan!). Through it all, Occoquan holds a special place in my heart!

Please note that this content is apart of my exploring the Washington, DC area series. For more information on planning your own trip to Washington DC (here), Northern Virginia (here), the Virginia Wine Country (here), Maryland (here), and beyond (here), please use the corresponding links for some recommendations and inspiration.

Truly, Occoquan is a unique as some may say “hidden gem” in the Washington, DC area – something that I LOVE about it too. At the same time, I truly view Occoquan as such a special place in my childhood and sometimes forget that it is there amongst ALLL that there is to do in my own backyard (something I feel VERY fortunate for!). And, in those few moments that I do revisit the charming town that is apart of my childhood stomping grounds, I am extremely grateful for it. Needless to say, I LOVE that Occoquan is a little oasis amongst the Washington, DC suburbs and hustle and bustle of the area.

One of the biggest things that I have found in strolling through Occoquan, while not as frequent as in the past, is that it’s important for us all to find time to explore places near and dear to our hearts. We must make time for those places that we adore and cherish. Even though, yes, it may be the same place time and time again, it is also going to be great for your mental health, too. I have found this to be true whenever I go to Occoquan and hope that others can do the same with their childhood stomping grounds (if/when able to), too!

XOXO – Katie <3

2020 was a pretty rough year for us all. However, with all of the tough times in our lives, there always is a silver lining. Although 2020 was a year filled with wearing masks, keeping 6 feet apart from those we care about, and washing our hands, it has actually been one of my better years of life. It is, indeed, all what we make of the times and things that we are handed in life. That being said, I will be sharing some of my many highlights of 2020. Enjoy!

January 15 – Launching The Pink Chickadee & my launch party

January 23 – Cooking my Favorite Dutch Oven Ziti for the first time as a hit for my Grand Big

January 25 – Partaking in Meredith’s once every 4 Years Tradition of an Alice in Wonderland Production by faculty & staff

February 12 – Hosting my First-Ever Galentine’s “Fries Before Guys” Party

February 16 – Coordinating my 3rd Scholar’s Day Event at Meredith with two of my best friends Kaylee and Lexie

March 7-10 – Traveling to Annapolis, Maryland, Mount Vernon, Virginia, & Washington, DC with Lexie for Spring Break

March 10 – Celebrating Papa’s Birthday

March 11-15 – Visiting Tennessee (crossed a brand new state off my bucket list!) with my best friend Laurie for Spring Break

Easter – Baking my Grandma’s Bonnie Butter Cake Recipe & Turning it into a Bunny Cake

April 30 – Having a Colored Pancake Party with Papa

May 1 – I Turned 21!

Mother’s Day – Making my Mom & Old Bay-Themed Dinner & Going to a Local Nursery with her

June 20 – My First Legal Drink at a Restaurant!

June 21 – My First Vineyard Trip & Hike at Sugarloaf Mountain, Maryland

June 24 – Crossed Harpers Ferry, West Virginia Off My Bucket List!

June 30 – Recoding The Pink Chickadee!

July 1 – Vineyard Outing with my Big Sis Stephanie at The Winery at Bull Run in Centreville, Virginia

July 4 – Celebrating Independence Day at Bethany Beach, Delaware & having margaritas with my dog!

July 11-15 – Family trip with my Aunt April, Aunt Sherri, cousin Lainey, and cousin Ryan at Bethany Beach, Delaware

July 15 – Celebrating 6 months as a blogger!

August 5 – Moving back in at Meredith after 6 months at home!!!

August 7 – Being reunited with my roommate Sophie

August 8 – Having a belated 21st Birthday Celebration at Cloer Family Vineyards, Apex, North Carolina

August 17 – My Last First Day of Classes at Meredith!

September 9 – Announcing my First-Ever Newsletter for The Pink Chickadee!!!

September 19-20 – Fun weekend with my besties Alanna, Hannah, Julia, and Kaylee

September 30 – Making Butternut Squash soup and failing to cut a Butternut Squash for dinner with Alanna and Hannah

October 16 – Celebrating my friends at Meredith in the Class of 2022 as they got their class rings (Onyx)

October 17 – Celebrating my friend Caroline’s Birthday with a Trip to Divine Llama Vineyards, East Bend, North Carolina

October 23-25 – Papa came to visit me for the weekend!!!

October 31 – Dressing up as a flamingo and celebrating Halloween with Alanna and Hannah!

November 1 – Decorating for Christmas with the help of my good friend Kaylee

November 26 – Having a Non-traditional beach Thanksgiving with my Dad, Step Mom, and dog Butters

November 28 – Exploring the charming Christmas-Decorated town of Lewes, Delaware

December 5 – Celebrating my Completion of finals at The Restaurant at Lighthouse Sound, Ocean City, Maryland looking over the water and enjoying a bonfire!