Snow came a little early this year to central Virginia. It is unusual for us to get snow before Christmas, but maybe some will stick around until the 25th this time. I decided to take a walk through the woods of Pocahontas State Park this morning, and I snapped a couple pictures of various tracks I came across. Can you identify the fauna that created them?
An additional six miles of trail are now open at High Bridge Trail State Park from Prospect to Route 660 near Pamplin. This brings total mileage open to 22 miles from just outside Pamplin (Route 660) to the end of High Bridge in Cumberland County. High Bridge Trail State Park is a 33.8 mile multi-use trail that runs through three counties and five towns in Central Virginia.
Its centerpiece is the majestic High Bridge, which is more than 2,400 feet long and 160 feet above the Appomattox River. High Bridge is registered as a Virginia Historic Landmark. Park Manager Eric Hougland is excited about announcing the additional miles, “Trails continue to be a great resource for improving the quality of life and I’m glad we are opening more of the park for the community.”
Trail visitors can access the trail at Route 660 near Pamplin, Elam, Prospect, Tuggle, municipal parking in Farmville, Osborne Road and River Road. High Bridge Trail State Park is a perfect place for hikers, bicyclists and horseback riders to enjoy the beauty of Central Virginia. For more information on the trail, please call the park office at 434-315-0457.
The Friends of Chippokes, what we in Virginia State Parks lovingly refer to as one of our "Friends of" groups, has reached a major milestone - ten years supporting Chippokes Plantation State Park and our state parks in general!
10:00 a.m.
Fawn Palmer leads the Westmoreland State Park Kayak Trips on the Potomac River. 
For those you who visit this blog site regularly are probably familiar by now with Virginia State Parks’ Youth Conversation Corp. Enough can’t be written or said about this group of young men and women who come into our parks for three weeks during the summer to help us with huge projects.
This past Saturday was the graduation for the first session. The staff of Twin Lakes, High Bridge Trail and Sailor’s Creek Battlefield State Parks would like to express our gratitude for all their efforts this year. The YCC group that was assigned to these parks this year was a team of young men who turned out to be hard workers and not enough could be said about their supervisors who are probably three of the best in the program.
This year the parks located in central Virginia did something different with our YCC group – we split their three weeks between three state parks. During first week, they worked at Twin Lakes doing trail improvements and building park benches for a playground and Goodwin Lake trail. At High Bridge Trail the group built picnic tables that will be placed along the trail so that our park visitors can enjoy a picnic lunch while riding or walking the trail. The last week of their stay they repaired a split rail fence and removed over 300 old brick pavers at the historical park, Sailor’s Creek Battlefield.
Of course it was not always all work and no play. They enjoyed field trips such as tubing down the James River, bowling, and visiting local tourist attractions. They also enjoyed park activities such as nature programs, hiking, canoeing and the ritual of attempting to eat the Avalanche, a huge ice cream sundae available only at Twin Lakes’ snack bar.
As park staff said our goodbyes on Saturday, I kept thinking about the groups that came before them. Some crew members return year after year and eventually become supervisors. Our hopes and desires for these young men and women as they return to their everyday lives is to leave us with the knowledge of nature and the yearning to continue to support our parks through the YCC program or as a volunteer.
Again, to the fifteen young men who became a member of our park family this summer we thank you for all your hard work and we hope to see you in the YCC program next year.
The National Wildlife Federation has named Saturday, June 27th as Great American Backyard Campout. Several central Virginia state parks are participating in this event by offering outdoor programs for the entire family. 
At Bear Creek Lake, the camper can find fifty-three shaded campsites and thirteen of these tents sites are in the campground by the lake. Each site has tent pads, metal fire-rings and many with electric and water hook-ups.
Day 1 & 2
Days 1 and 2
Located just a short drive away Twin Lakes State Park is located in the heart of central Virginia. Enjoy swimming, fishing, boating, and lakefront picnicking or decide to stay the night in one of the cabins or a campsite. On your way to
Days 1 and 2
Official DCR Press Release
High Bridge Trail State Park is a 34 mile hiking, biking and bridle trail that runs through three counties and five towns in Central Virginia. Its centerpiece is the majestic High Bridge, which is more than 2,400 feet long and 160 feet above the Appomattox River. In addition to the 12 miles being opened in June, four miles of the linear park were opened to the public August 22, 2008. Work continues on the remainder of the state park, including High Bridge, which remains closed until it is decked for trail use. 
This year will be the biggest and greatest Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum Antique Steam and Gas Engine Festival ever. The Museum is located in Surry, Virginia (right across the James River from Williamsburg and Jamestown and less than an hour east of Richmond on Route 10). Just follow the signs to Chippokes Plantation State Park. It is an easy and scenic drive from Tidewater and central Virginia.
The newest addition to this annual event, what makes it a Festival, is MUSIC. The featured band Saturday is the regional favorite Slapwater. I remember dancing to that group when I was in college at William and Mary. They've been around for a while but they still have their stuff. They received the 2007 Meona Award for the best party and dance band AND were voted best local band in Hampton Roads Magazine. 
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