A day at the Park

  Last year I visited a park where I saw a challenge to visit 5 parks to receive a annual pass to visit all the state parks.  I had so much fun at one park I wanted in on this challenge.  At my first park we went initially for fishing but then found our self exploring the park. I had no idea that one place could hold so many possibilities and beauty.  That day after our fishing, we took a hike on a trail and ventured down by the water and was met with more beauty.  This all started me wanting more.

  After the first 5 state park visits I did submit for my pass.  I received it shortly thereafter and a parking pass as well. That was all I needed to encourage me to see more.  After that I visited a couple parks here and there and just recently visited a few more this past weekend.  In case you thought state parks were boring, or there was nothing to see behold the beauty of nature!

    Parks have a variety to offer you no matter the season.  Snow sometimes adds a compliment to an already beautiful scene.  Catch a sunrise or sunset.  Most parks are open dawn till dusk.

http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/

State Park Challenge Park #4

  Amongst the hustle and bustle of Virginia Beach down the road from the busy popular beach is a nice quiet state park.

  First Landing State Park just like all the parks I have visited thus far provide a lot of trails and water views or more wooded areas.  This park has beach on one side of the road and a more wooded area on the other side.  So you may choose to stroll along the shoreline or on one of the wooded trails.

  On the beach you get the privilege of taking your shoes off and having a more leisure stroll. Atleast that's how I feel when I hit the sand.  Like everything just slows down.   Whether you like to people watch, swim, look at shells or watch the crabs this beach provides it all.

  The wooded area offers a variety of trails and of course you are able to pick your distance and complexity.  There is a variety of things to look at in the wooded area. Different birds, trees and let's just leave it at that!


  We did arrive at this park after our 3rd park so it was later in the day.  Not quite dusk by the time we got across the street to the wooded area.  I can not say enough that we sprayed bugs spray before our journey but that doesn't stop the bugs from buzzing in your ears and flying around your head even if they can't or have no interest in biting you.  I enjoyed the the trail we picked I like to look at the variety in trees.  I may post a Wordless Wednesday of trees.

  As with every park we get the privilege of seeing a critter that we may not have seen up close or even at all.  My children have never seen crabs before and I will not post her reaction to crabs (and they were plentiful on this beach) ((let's just say she held onto my husband's leg like a fireman's pole)).  It's funny now but it was pretty serious then.  However we could appreciate this little fella.

You can catch up on my adventures at other parks to complete the Virginia State Parks trail-quest.

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State Park Challenge Park #3

The Eastern Shore part of Virginia has a state park!  The part of Virginia you get to be transported to by way of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel (CBBT).  Don't let the toll stop you from traveling over to this great quiet piece of Virginia.  The ride over there was just as beautiful as the state park.

The Kippoteke State Park is just a few short miles from the CBBT.  Great water views, fishing boats and the road or lack there of occasionally along with the high rise bridge can be seen on this long route.  Don't forget to stop at the pier on the bridge either before you head to the Easter Shore or on your way back to see what the fishermen have caught, a snack or drink.

This is our third visit to a state park and with each visit I get excited.  I don't know what to expect but assume it will not be a let down.  This park has a few trails, boat rentals, a beach for swimming, a fishing pier and camping facilities including a yurt!

We parked near a playground which I hated as with 2 little ones in tow; this distraction is the worst kind.  We need to focus in order for the kids to make a majority of the walk we can not play on it.  Our first stop at this park took us to.....

We walked around but didn't spy any butterflies but it was a fun idea.  Walking around and looking at the different varieties of flowers was a great start to our journey.

You are able to get away from the beating sun on one of their many paths through the woods.

Pick your trail! How many miles will it be? What do you want to see?  I love that each trail is different at each park.  We have found a critter

 of one kind or another on all trails or in the park in general.

The water view is beginning to be something I look forward to at each park.  What will the view be like? What will I see? What kind of shells will there be if any?

Behold our first view of the water. Concrete ships acting as a barrier.  These ships are from as far back as WWII used as supply/store ships among other missions.  Along the waterfront their are other opportunities besides gazing across the water.

There is an additional charge to fish off the pier.  I enjoyed the ripples of the sand due to the water pattern.

The shells were plentiful on one side of the pier and on the swimming side the were not as many.  They were very pretty and had this iridescent shimmer in different hues.

This was a great park, a lot of different components that cannot be seen anywhere but at Kippoteke State Park.

VA State Park challenge park #3 completed.

Take a look at all the state parks and see which one you would like to visit to start your own challenge.

http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/find-a-park.shtml

State Park Challenge Park #2

I was able to visit another park this weekend!

Pocahontas State Park located in the central part of the state in Chesterfield VA.  I had read the summary and was excited about the trails.  The summary stated 80 miles of trails!!!! These trails are a mix of hiking, biking and horseback riding.  The park is also constructing more mountain bike trails and loops for hand cyclists along with beginner cyclists. Need a tune up during your cycling?

They are broken down into levels for easy, moderate and hard.  The trails also offer a variety of miles.  When you get out on them you are able to mix them up and extend you walk.

I  will be honest with you the trail we set out for we didn't successfully find but we walked the whole thing and we managed a good 5 mile walk. Up, down, around all different grades, in 90° weather and carrying a 2 yo and 4 yo at different times makes for a great experience.  This counted as my workout for the day!!

Keep your eyes open for nature- otherwise why are you here?

Everyone in my party enjoyed themselves and would love to come back here.  There is also camping, boating and a pool available.  A large amphitheater for programs as well.

There is a small charge for admission into the park as well as renting the boats or using the pool.

Park #2 for our state park challenge completed! 3 more to go! We can do this! Follow our journey and take a peek at them through us!

http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/mobile/pocahontas.shtml

State park challenge

 We are a family on the go and the summer is finally here.  After a long winter we are keeping it moving (maybe making up for lost time).  We have a few memberships to local areas which we take full advantage of and definitely get our money's worth.  However we haven't visited our local state parks in awhile.  We used to have a pass but are now on a mission to explore them and earn an annual pass this year!

http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/get-outdoors.shtml

Visit 5 local parks by the end of the month and you will receive an annual parks passport plus parking.  We have started this challenge late but are going to catch up quickly!   I am looking forward to this challenge for many reasons.  I have actually only visited 2 of our 36 state parks!! Each park visit is going to give us a new places to explore, sights to see, trails to walk, fish to catch and maybe a sunset.

York River State Park located in Hampton Roads was our first 2015 park visit. This was a beautiful park. Wilderness and beach all in one!

I enjoy Virginia. We plan on visiting again to check out some events.  However on this visit we spent it celebrating free fishing weekend.  Children can fish under 15 without a license in either fresh or saltwater.  Everyone fished and worms were essential.

We were able to explore the  beach, observe nature and catch a sunset.

We left at dusk which lead for a quiet ride home but I do believe their was excitement amongst the exhaustion.  

1 state park down 4 to go!  I am already looking at all our other choices.  I can't wait to explore stay tune!