The Gardens (day trip)

  Do you have a membership anywhere?  Have you contemplated getting one but decided against it after doing the math.  Thinking it wasn't worth it.  You wouldn't go enough times for it to pay itself off.  Didn't like the place enough to come back.  Or just thought maybe later.

  I currently have only one membership.  In the past it has been several but at the moment just one.  My current still active membership is for the local botanical gardens.

  This year for the first time I took advantage of bike night.  Of course the gardens opened their hours and days up to more opportunities so that helped.

  The gardens allows you to ride through most of the grounds as long as you stay on the path which is great for little ones.  My kids thoroughly enjoyed riding through and sometimes we took advantage of the splash park.

  Riding around the park may change up your miles and time but for the most part.  You can at least get a few miles of trails accomplished.  There are plenty of benches to take a break and a few water fountains if you need one.

  These are just a few of the activities you can do at the gardens in addition to seeing all the beautiful flowers in bloom.  When you have a membership you get the privilege of seeing multiple flowers in bloom at any given time.  Throughout the year different flowers, bushes or trees go in bloom randomly.  Even in the colder winter months you are presented with something to look at.  The Rose garden blooms twice a year once in the spring and once in fall.

  They have a beautiful butterfly exhibit open a few months in the summer.  In here you can take advantage of seeing the complete life cycle.  You can ask the staff about what flowers to plant in your own garden to invite and feed the caterpillars and butterflies.

  Over all membership does have its benefits.  I also receive discounts in the store as well as on various classes and tours they offer. Norfolk Botanical Gardens never gets old as the scenery is always changing.  Grab you family and get outside.  Get moving, get fresh air and discover something new at the gardens.

Nature Walk

  We got out yesterday and visited a local park.  To say I was amazed is an understatement about the park.  I had been here previously to rent a boat, went fishing here and even visited the visitor center.  I have taken note of the playground but never of the actual history of the park nor the plentiful abundance of trails.

We set out to explore this park and to walk the trail.  My kids first started walking trails last year and thoroughly understand what is involved in a hike. The good bad and ugly.  Good being new sights and catching a glimpse of wildlife and some interesting sounds.  The bad being catching a glimpse of wildlife.  The ugly being slipping on mud.

 

I love the initial enthusiasm on their faces before we get started.  They know I have their water and maybe a snack in my bag.  They trust me in every way possible.  They look at me for fun, adventure and as their tour guide.  I prep them. Encourage them even when we are driving to a location.  I know you will do good and I know you can make the whole walk.  They always agree and are eager to get moving.

Time frames and miles mean nothing to them but they still lead the way or walk beside me happy to be together and ready to explore!  I laugh at the maps we pick up as it seems when I walk I seem to add on miles along the way my sense of direction is not always 100 percent but then again I think the map may be a little off.

  Regardless as long as I keep my kids engaged with what's around us they have truly become my favorite partners in crime.  They point out things I may have missed and get the imagination going as they tell me what they think happened to the crooked tree of why theres mysterious mud on our path.

Take your kids out and explore with them.  Getting them acquainted and comfortable with nature.  Explore a short .5 mile trail or a longer 2.5 mile one.  Tell them about the birds you see, a specific tree or talk about the current season.  I do have my phone out taking pictures but this is one time I do spend with them devoted to their attention.

There is an app on my phone that keeps track of my steps an I aim to keep it busy this year as well as regain control of my fitness.  I have started giving myself a weekly mileage goal and plan to increase it every week.  It will be nice to see new places, get in better shape and make new memories with my family.  

State Park Challenge Park #5

  If you have been keeping up you know my family and I have been on a mission sponsored by virginia state-parks to visit 5 parks.  We started out late but we were able to visit 5 within a couple weeks before the deadline of June 30th.  It was a great journey and as I received a confirmation email yesterday I just decided to write my last summary of our 5th park!  Along with the state park pass I will be receiving I also get pins for the 1st and 5th visits.  Of course with my newly earned pass I will not give up. I will keep exploring other parks just not at the speed I was to visit these first 5. Virginia has 36 parks! 5 down and having been to one before and not included in this mission leaves 30 more to go!! How exciting!

  I am pleased to tell you about our 5th state park visit.  It was to Chippokes Plantation State Park in Surry, VA.  A few short miles from the virginia ferry-jamestown.  So you can make it an adventure. This park doesn't surprise me as it is its own unique park like all the others.  Pool, camping and trails

 were there.  These trails were nice as for the most part they were hard, flat  and covered by blacktop.  Great for strollers or wheelchairs.  In addition to great water views

a working farm and animals.

  The trail takes you past these views and a forestry exhibit on the way to the mansion.  I was met by a lovely lady on the driveway who guided my family (my two little ones) to the drinking fountain and a nice seat on the covered porch as it was high 90's that day.  After a replenish and rest period we were given a great tour by a very educated curator she provided me with a lot of information on the contents and history of the mansion.

How many rugs does one house need, you will see?  What are those step stools for in the bedrooms?  How do you clean your boots before you enter the home?  The house was so beautifully put together.  The last owner the Mrs's of the Stewart family took great pride in decorating the home.  Tours are offered on specific days and times so call ahead.  Near the house is also a gift shop that houses a variety of handcrafted items made by the friends of the Chippokes that donate proceeds back to the park programs. 

  One concept I found here was that in addition to renting GPS units for geocaches.  They also have MP3 rentals and park packs.  The MP3 rental allows you a personal tour while the park packs are also free and include binoculars, field guides and more for several themes to include: wildlife, history and fossils to name a few.  I thought this was a great concept to help incorporate a little more learning of your surroundings.  Adults and children both could benefit from these packs. 

As I finish my last park it just wouldn't be right if I didn't share with you the critter of the trip. Look closely!  I took a picture from the path with my children ahead of me and told to stay there a second.  Ironically the first thing we saw when we entered the trail was a black one.  Lucky us that we saw two. This fella here for some reason was so dead still I was surveying the grounds at all times and there was a car in front of us so I was looking at walking around them. I am glad we walked right by them without going all the way around!! Must have been my sixth sense kicking in!!

Check out your local parks! You never know what you will see. It's a great way to spend time with your family.  Explore and learn together.

Thank you Virginia State Parks for this great challenge and getting this family off their bums, out the house getting fresh air and exercise!  Keep up the great work.

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

If you missed the last 4 parks here they are:

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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!