Children in Nature

Women’s Wellness Weekend Caters to Mind, Body & Spirit

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Zoe Rogers

Women are looking for affordable vacations where they can leave their hectic lifestyles behind. A three day weekend is just what the mind needs. Women’s Wellness Weekends at Virginia State Parks is just that place; we offer a picturesque setting where women can unwind and regain balance in their lives.

Our wellness weekends offer a wide variety of workshops and outdoor activities for women of all ages. Women participating in the upcoming weekend in April will enjoy activities such as fly fishing, yoga, aromatherapy, hiking, and kayaking.

The weekend begins on Friday, April 23rd with registration at 3 p.m. and ends Sunday, April 25th at noon. And it’s affordable. Share your stay with friends or make new ones. You can also bring you RV or camp in the campground. No matter where you stay you’ll have the opportunity to explore the natural beauty and the scenic views of Fairy Stone State Park. So call your girlfriends and make your plans today. Call our reservation center at 800-933-7275, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or visit our website at www.virginiastateparks.gov.

If you’re unable to attend this weekend, our next Women’s Wellness Weekend will be held in October at Bear Creek Lake State Park in Cumberland County.

Fairy Stone State Park - Magically Delightful

Friday, March 12, 2010 by Nancy Heltman

Sometimes I marvel at how I get my ideas for blog posts. I get an email with the "Lens of the Day" from Squidoo (neat stuff by the way). Today's title was "Purple Star Awards." I confess I haven't read the post yet but it made me think of Lucky Charms Cereal. Then I thought, "Hey it's almost St. Patrick's Day" and then I decided it was time to do a blog about Fairy Stone. Not sure what this says about my creative process.

The connection between St. Patrick's Day and Fairy Stone is a little more obvious. Fairy Stone State Park is located in Patrick County. Okay, so Patrick County has nothing to do with St. Patrick. Once in Virginia there was a giant county called Patrick Henry County named after that famous Virginia forefather. In 1791 they split the county into Patrick and Henry counties.

In addition to the tenuous "Patrick" connection, the story behind the park's name sake involves fairies and wee people right out of Irish folklore. Fairy Stones are naturally formed staurolite crystals that form cross-like shapes. The Captain John Smith/Pocahontas legend talks about Pocahontas giving Captain John Smith a necklace of lucky fairy stones. Presidents Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson as well as Charles Linberg and Thomas Edison reportedly carried the crosses for luck. If you have jewelry made out of the crosses (and we sell some at the park), a lot of work went into making the rough stones into crosses appropriate for jewelry.

While nothing beats a good fairy stone hunt, the real magic of Fairy Stone State Park is the more than 4,600 acres which makes this park an outdoor paradise. The park is situated on Fairy Stone Lake which was created by damming Goblintown Creek. The Civilian Conservation Corps constructed the park infrastructure and Fairy Stone opened June 15, 1936 as one of the six original Virginia State Parks.

A CCC Log Cabin at Fairystone State Park

Today the park features a campground with great views, twenty-five cabins with some lakefront, a family lodge that sleeps 16 people, Fayerdale Hall Conference Center, and a seasonal swimming beach. There are nine miles of multi-use trail for hiking, biking and horseback riding as well as about six miles of hiking only trail. The 168 acre lake offers great fishing (no gasoline powered boats allowed). The park rents rowboats, paddleboats, kayaks and canoes on a seasonal basis.

The swimming beach is loaded with fun for the kids

For camping and cabin reservations, call our reservation center at 800-933-7275 or book on line.

Picnic on the Potomac

Thursday, March 11, 2010 by Cyndi Juarez

My thoughts are turning more and more towards spring and summer. Maybe it's a touch of spring fever. Growing up in San Diego, I never really experienced the fever until recent years spent in Virginia. And this year the symptoms are even stronger than ever. So naturally, I'm thinking more about being outside and to me that means picnics.

My son and I had our first picnic of 2010 just last week-end. It really wasn't much of a picnic we were on the back deck but we were excited just to be outside and not freezing.

One of my favorite picnic spots though just happens to be in a Virginia state park.

Designated as Prince William County’s Most Scenic Spot by a newspaper reader’s poll, Leesylvania State Park exceeds its well deserved reputation. Located just thirty miles south of Washington D. C. and situated on the shores of the mighty Potomac River, Leesylvania is a breathtaking picnicking location.

You can enjoy scenic views of the river from abundant picnic tables in the park’s designated picnic area. The picnic area at Leesylvania offers lots of parking, a fun playground for the children and a shady, quiet respite for all from the busy world.

Free standing grills are located in each of the secluded picnic sites and you will immediately notice the delicious smell of barbecue on warm summer days.

The park also offers picnic shelter rentals for groups wishing to reserve a space in advance. The shelters are very clean and offer a unique location for special events and picnics.

Some park visitors also enjoy hiking the numerous trails in the park and having a relaxing lunch on a trail-side bench.

I often take my lunch to the sandy beach area and watch the birds and boats along the Potomac River.

So start planning your special outings now and wherever you choose to picnic in this beautiful park I am sure you will make memories that will last a lifetime.

Nature's Fireworks about to Hit

Thursday, March 11, 2010 by Tom Cervenak

Goodbye Old Man Winter, boy you were tough this year. This past week we got a little taste of spring with temperatures in the 60's and low 70's and it sure felt good. Now we are getting some showers and we all know what that will bring, spring flowers. Some of your earliest blooms are starting to pop up and open like the Crocus. For my money though, I like the trees when they explode like a Forth of July show. Shortly the Redbud with its purple petite flowers and the native dogwoods with their white flowers, will bring a showcase of color to Virginia's woods for all to enjoy. In just a few weeks it will become one of the perfect times to get out to a Virginia State Park for a hike, bike ride, go horseback riding, or just go sit in the warm sun. A great park to go to for a real escape to enjoy the trees is Sky Meadow State Park. Although only a short distance from the hustle of Washington D.C., it truly feels like a getaway. Later this spring they will also have their annual Strawberry Festival, yummy! So go visit Park Manager Skinner and the great staff at the park and enjoy the blossoms of spring.

Fight For Your Parks

Thursday, March 11, 2010 by Tom Cervenak

With shrinking budgets across our nation, one of the first things that is thought of to be cut is our parks. What's interesting though, is that these cuts amount to only a tiny portion of the overall budgets' of cities, counties and states and the benefits that we lose when closing a park are in measurable. Think about your childhood and where you went to play; think about some of the tougher times in our life and where you went to clear your head or to have a quiet cry; think about where you took your children to plan on the playground equipment; think about where you took your son to fish for the first time or where you had a family reunion or picnic. I would bet most of your answers were a "park", whether a city, county, state or national park, I would bet we all have gone to one for memorable times in our lives. Today now more than ever we need places to go. In these tough times you may find the answers during a walk in the park, or at least, you had a break from the pressures of life. Our parks are tonics for the mind, body and spirit of America. So when you hear someone talking about closing parks to save money where you live, go ahead and fight!

Easter Bunny Hopping To Wilderness Road

Thursday, March 11, 2010 by Michael Brindle

Following the overwhelming success of last year’s event, Wilderness Road State Park will host the second annual Easter at Karlan celebration. Colorful eggs will decorate the Karlan Mansion lawn on Saturday, April 3, with children ages 1-10 invited to join the Easter Bunny for a candy-filled Easter egg hunt that highlights an afternoon filled with fun, games and prizes. The event begins at 1:00 pm, with light refreshments to be offered following the egg hunt.

The picturesque Karlan Mansion will provide a spectacular backdrop for the candy-filled egg hunt which begins promptly at 1:15 pm with four age groups providing fair competition for prizes that include chocolate bunnies and Easter baskets loaded with candy. Age groups include: ages 1-2, ages 3-5, ages 6-8 and ages 9-10. The boy and girl from each group finding the special marked egg will receive a chocolate bunny as a prize while the one individual from each group that finds the “lucky” egg will receive the goodie-filled basket. Prizes will be awarded at the conclusion of the egg hunt.

“Participants are advised to stick around at the conclusion of the event for the awards ceremony,” stated park concession manager Mike Brindle. “Following the awards, we will have races, games, and more. There will also be a meet and greet with the Easter Bunny, who will be more than happy to pose for photos.”

Games and activities scheduled include: egg toss, egg race, bunny hop race, and crafts with a visit by the Easter Bunny concluding the event.

This program is free of charge, but normal parking rates apply. Pre-registration is required and participants are asked to bring their own basket. For more information, or to register, please call the park office at 276-445-3065 or email us at: WildernessRoad@dcr.virginia.gov. Wilderness Road State Park is located in Ewing, Virginia, less than a 2 hour drive from Knoxville, Kingsport, Bristol and Lexington.

Your Next Family Reunion

Wednesday, March 10, 2010 by Nancy Heltman

Virginia's State Parks have always been fantastic family vacation spots. The parents can relax and unwind from their normally busy vacations while the kids enjoy swimming, boating, fishing, hiking or a variety of programs offered at the park.

Many parks have water features for swimming and boating fun for the family

What's good for the immediate family is even better for larger family groups. We have families who come to a particular state park year after year or every other year to celebrate their annual family reunions. Twenty-four of our Virginia State Parks have campgrounds for families that enjoy the camping experience. Nineteen parks have comfortable cabins for those family members who prefer a bed, kitchen and bathroom all under the same roof. Thirteen parks now have our family lodges that have five to six bedrooms and sleep 15-18 people (most sleep 16). The family lodges offer large gathering areas where many family members can gather and prepare meals together.

The family sitting down for dinner at the Bear Creek Lake State Park family lodge

Photo by Bill Crabtree Jr., Virginia Tourism Corporation

In the summer, all of our parks offer special programming and events. We are all about catering to our customers, so for a large group you can arrange a special program just for your family group. Hungry Mother and Douthat state parks offer catering for your event and many other parks like Claytor Lake, Twin Lakes, Bear Creek Lake and Westmoreland have meeting facilities you can rent for an event.

Our cabins and lodges do require a week stay during the Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day period. We accept reservations up to eleven months in advance so if you have a big group coming, plan in advance. Normally we require payment in full fourteen days after making a reservation but for a large group with one coordinator, we will make special arrangements if you ask to speak to the Reservation Center or Assistant Manager. Reservations and information are available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 800-933-7275.

Photo by Bill Crabtree Jr., Virginia Tourism Corporation

If you are not sure which park you want to visit, try our new park amenity search.

If you have been coming to Virginia State Parks for years with your family, tell us about it! Add your own blog here. If you have more than one picture, you can email me the others at nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov. If you post your own blog between now and August 31, 2010 you will be eligible for a drawing for a week cabin stay at any of our parks.

Family camping trip at Pocahontas State Park

Your Camera - Don't Leave Home Without It

Wednesday, March 10, 2010 by Nancy Heltman

The old American Express slogan "Don't Leave Home Without it" came to mind today when my husband called with the news. He had been on a hike around our neighborhood's nature trail and had foolishly chosen not to bring his camera. He's out on the trail and there is a magnificent bird - a hawk or eagle (neither of us are particularly schooled in bird watching).

Now that my Blackberry has become an appendage, I always have something available to shoot a photo on the fly. In fact, cell phones have done a lot for digital photography (albeit maybe not the highest resolution pictures).

Over the next few weeks I will be blogging about a new partnership that we hope will be making your Virginia State Park visits more memorable. This partner is WildObs. Wildobs is a great database designed for outdoor lovers to post pictures of wildlife they observe. It is also a really cool way to find the best places to spot various types of wildlife. Our staff are loading up existing pictures of wildlife in our parks and are anxious to start having new encounters and posting them. For example, I just checked out the recent post section on the site and found this posting from Hungry Mother State Park.

Our webmaster is going to be adding a widget to all of our park pages that will show some recent observations and link to the whole list of what has been reported at the park. Soon I hope we will have pages like this one from Smith Mountain Lake State Park for all our parks.

We need your help! Sign up for WildObs and the next time you are in one of our parks, snap a shot of the wildlife and upload it. You guessed it - there's an app for that - for the IPhone and Clones. On my Blackberry I can use the regular site since it is optimized for web based phones. Or, take your high quality pictures and upload them when you get home. Your account becomes your permanent record of wildlife observations. Who needs a notebook?

Albino Deer at Staunton River State Park

Oh, if you are not so great with wildlife identification (like my husband and I), no worries. Go ahead and post that shot of the eagle or hawk or whatever it was. You can even ask the WildObs community to help you with the identification.

New Virginia State Parks Guide Available

Tuesday, March 9, 2010 by Nancy Heltman

Remember that scene in Steve Martin's movie The Jerk -- the one where he gets the new phone book (where he would be listed for the very first time) and runs around yelling "The new phone book is here - the new phone book is here?" As a kid I was always like that when the phone book came out - I just had to look up our listing. As an adult, I have gotten past the thrill of being listed in the phone book. But, I confess I still feel that excitement when our new Virginia State Parks Guide comes out each year.

A lot goes into this publication each year. We call it the #1 brochure in house. Once upon a time we had a #2 and a #3 but with the internet, the need for those publications declined over the years. We use our color brochure primarily for the Virginia Welcome Centers and various Tourism offices and libraries around the state. Our web content is far more thorough than anything we could ever print and distribute, so we use this brochure as a teaser publication to get folks inspired in learning more about Virginia State Park.

We are part of a larger agency, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and we share our graphic designed with the rest of the Agency. Esther Zabronsky is very talented and has, as usual, outdone herself with this edition. A lot of the credit also goes to Jim Meisner, our Public Relations Specialist, who serves as the project manager, works on theme ideas, edits the copy, and creates the copy for the middle four pages. He also holds our feet to the fire to meet the deadlines for content and review.

Facebook and Twitter followers - you may recall that sometime last fall I asked for you to share the reasons you love Virginia State Parks. Throughout this year's Guide you will see some of the comments we received from this request.

We are already planning for next year's guide. Since it's our 75th anniversary, the theme is pretty easy. What we need from you is some good content about how you have enjoyed Virginia's state parks over the years. The best way to share it with us is through posting your own blog by clicking here. You can even add a picture. If you have more pictures you want to add to your "post" you can email them to me at nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov. If you contribute to the blog before August 31, 2010, you will be eligible for a drawing for a week's cabin stay.

Essential Equipment for Visiting Mason Neck State Park

Tuesday, March 9, 2010 by Jodi Bucknam

Making your visit to Mason Neck State Park the most enjoyable it can be is as easy as having the right equipment. We're not talking fancy, hard-to-find equipment here, just a few simple things you should always bring when you visit Mason Neck, whether alone or with your children. If you've never visited us before, you may not know that the Bald Eagles are best seen with binoculars. Unaided you may see just distant specks; with the binoculars you can fully admire the majestic birds as they soar over Belmont Bay. You'll also find hiking in nature much more comfortable if you're wearing the right clothes.

What to Bring

Binoculars.
Bird field guide, or other wildlife guides to match your interests.
Good hiking shoes, preferably water resistant/mudproof.
Bottle of drinking water.
Rain gear just in case.
Bug spray.
A hat to shade you from the sun, shed rain and even deter bugs.
Your common sense. Pay attention to park signs, trail markers and the weather, e.g. darkening clouds or rising winds.

What not to Bring

Shorts. It may be hot outside, but believe me, you won’t like the mosquitoes or the ticks that can bite your bare skin.
Less-than-trailworthy shoes such as sandals, flip-flops or dress shoes. Happy feet make for a happy hiker.

We look forward to seeing you here at Mason Neck!

Don't Have a Camping Trailer?

Monday, March 8, 2010 by Tom Cervenak

I've done a lot of tent camping in my days and still do, but every now and then I want the camping experience without the tent camping part. Kiptopeke State Park on the Eastern Shore of Virginia has the solution for you. This beautiful park on the Chesapeake Bay offers 28 foot Prowler Camping Trailers for rent. They are already set up for you on site and have a shower, bathroom, kitchen, and even has the hookup for satelite television if you bring your own t.v.. Outside the unit is a picnic table and fire ring to grill our or have an evening campfire with the kids. If you are looking for an upgrade from this, about 20 parks, including Kiptopeke, offer delux cabins. The variety of cabins the Virginia State Parks offer is amazing, accommodating from 2-18 people. If you are looking to go on the road for a vacation, check out places like Roadtrip Rentals. Places like this will rent you a camper that you can then pull to your favorite Virginia State Park. Either way you go, you can't go wrong when you spend some time in our award winning park system.

Eager for Spring at Mason Neck State Park

Monday, March 8, 2010 by Jodi Bucknam

Normally I like to use a background image on my computer that matches the season. Here at Mason Neck State Park, I work indoors most of the time but still try to keep my desktop image in tune with the natural world. With this season’s blizzards, however, I have had enough snow for a long, long time! So although the calendar says spring doesn't start for another few weeks yet, I’ve already changed my background image to a spring photo. In case you are as eager for spring as I am, here are a few images of early flowers and wildlife to whet your appetite. Come look for the real thing here at Mason Neck soon!

Paw Paw blossoms, found near the picnic area and along the Bay View Trail.

The first Zebra Swallowtails are often seen as early as April.

Cutleaf Toothwort may be found blooming along the Bay View Trail in March or April.

Some butterfly species, like this Duskywing, can only be found in the very early spring.

Redbud trees bloom throughout the park in early spring.

New Cabins Go On Sale March 12

Monday, March 8, 2010 by Nancy Heltman

We are excited to announce that our brand new cabins at Shenandoah River State Park will be available for reservations starting March 12 at 9 a.m.

Since the cabins are still under construction, we will take reservations for July 15, 2010 forward. We hope they will be finished and ready for occupancy sooner and when we know a definite date we will back date the opening.

Shenandoah River State Park is located on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River approximately twenty minutes south of Front Royal, Virginia. The park will have a six-bedroom family lodge (sleeps 16), one three-bedroom cabin (sleep 8) and nine two-bedroom cabins (sleep 6). Cabins will offer a fantastic mountain view. Shenandoah River State Park is located near the start of the Skyline Drive, part of Shenandoah National Park.

See my previous posts, My Visit to Shenandoah River State Park (Parts One, Two and Three), or Cyndi's post Discover Shenandoah River State Park.

We are building new cabins at Natural Tunnel and Douthat state parks as well but the winter weather have set those projects back such that we do not have a comfortable date to use for future reservations.

These new cabins are part of the 2002 State Park and Natural Area Bond. While these cabins are not yet complete, they are our new cabin design. Bear Creek Lake, Claytor Lake, James River, Kiptopeke and Occoneechee state parks have similar cabins. The cabins also feature our Legacy Line of furniture designed in conjunction with Virginia Correctional Enterprises. Our goal was attractive, comfortable and long lasting furniture and comments from our guests indicate we were successful.

All Virginia State Park cabins have a two night minimum. From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, we have a week stay requirement. If cabins are not booked for a week stay a month prior to the date of arrival, we allow the two night minimum. At this time you can only book for less than a week in the summer season through the reservation center.

Reservations will be accepted for these new facilities starting a 9 a.m. on March 12, 2010 through our Reservation and Information line at 800-933-7275 or on line.

Reservations Accepted for New Campgrounds Beginning March 12

Sunday, March 7, 2010 by Nancy Heltman

Thanks to the 2002 State Park and Natural Area Bond Referendum, we will be opening two new campgrounds this year. We will begin accepting reservations for these new campgrounds for future dates starting this Friday, March 12, at 9 a.m.

Natural Tunnel State Park is located in Duffield, Virginia in far southwest Virginia. The park is named for its naturally formed tunnel dubbed the Eighth Natural Wonder by William Jennings Bryant. A chair lift carries visitors down into the mouth of the tunnel in season. Natural Tunnel already has a campground but is getting ready to open it's second one. Lover's Leap Campground will open May 1, 2010. The park's existing campground will now be called Cove View. Lover's Leap Campground will have eighteen electric and water sites for equipment from tents to 50 foot RVs.

Shenandoah River State Park is located on the North Fork of the Shenandoah River approximately twenty minutes south of Front Royal, Virginia. Shenandoah River State Park is located near the start of the Skyline Drive, part of Shenandoah National Park. The park currently has hike-in and canoe-in campsites but their new campground will have thirty-two spacious water and electric sites for a variety of equipment from tents to 60 foot RVs. We will be opening this campground to reservations from July 15th and beyond. We hope to be able to open earlier dates as soon as we have a definite opening date in sight.

Reservations can be made starting 9 a.m. on Friday, March 12 by calling the Virginia State Parks reservation center at 800-933-7275 or by booking on line.

Future campground at Shenandoah River State Park

Connecting Children with Nature

Friday, March 5, 2010 by Tom Cervenak

Technology has been great in many ways, for instance I'm using it this very moment to communicate to an entire audience of people I don't really know. There are so many cool games and interactive video games. There is a down side to all of this electronic fun, a disconnect of our children with the great outdoors. Do you remember growing up and going to the park with the family, or playing stick ball in the street, chasing lightening bugs, riding bikes, playing kick the can, camping, fishing, swimming or so many other great outdoor things? Virginia State Parks would like to connect your kids with those same things you had the chance to experience growing up. For the first time in our history our kids life span will be shorter than their parents. This is due in part to childhood diseases brought on by spending too much time indoors with technology and not enough time in the great outdoors. Don't let your children fall into the this trap, as the weather gets better get them outdoors. I think you'll both find something special.

Sunny Southwest

Friday, March 5, 2010 by Amy Atwood

The weatherman has finally promised Southwest Virginia a weekend with sun and temperatures in the 50’s, and I find myself thinking of all the ways to enjoy the weekend. I want to enjoy it to the fullest.

What does that mean to you? Possibly a relaxing walk along a winding trail is a great way to let go of stress. Bring out the bikes for the whole family and listen to the kids giggle as they ride along and of course you have to include hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill.

If you simply can’t avoid the daunting tasks around the house during the day, then the Southwest Virginia Museum State Park's First Saturday Community Coffee House, may suit you better. Bring the family out on Saturday evening, March 6 at 7p.m. to a relaxing atmosphere full of stories, songs, and even a few surprises for you and your family. Be sure to get there by 6:45 p.m. so you don’t miss a minute of this refreshing program.

On Sunday afternoon , a Shape Note Singing program will be held on Sunday March 7 at at Natural Tunnel State Park beginning at 2 p.m. This program will teach you to sing four-part harmony without instruments and no experience is required. There will be plenty of time before and after the program to enjoy and the afternoon of sunshine.

It doesn’t matter what your interests are, you can find them in a Virginia State Park.

Camping at Virginia State Parks

Thursday, March 4, 2010 by Tom Cervenak

I've been camping at a lot of Virginia State Parks, some by myself, some with a dozen or so Boy Scouts and leaders. There may not be a better experience for connecting with nature, although with a group of Boy Scouts cutting up, you may not see much wildlife. There is something about sleeping in a tent and cooking our meals on an open fire like some of our ancestors did. The stories told around the campfire are often ones we never forget and later share with others at another campfire. And nowadays what would a campfire be without marshmallows or the all out treat of s'mores.

Last year Virginia State Parks sold out Memorial Day and July 4th weekends the earliest they ever had in their 74 year history. And there were many other sold out weekends for various parks throughout the year. So if you aren't thinking camping yet, because there is still a little snow in your backyard, you may want to spend one of these cold evenings with a calendar and pick out some weekends for that trip. Shenandoah River State Park will be a new hot spot for camping when they will be opening a brand new campground later this spring. For reservations for any of the campgrounds with Virginia State Parks, call 1-800-933-PARK. Happy Camping!

One of my favorite hikes!

Thursday, March 4, 2010 by Tom Cervenak

Spring has to be close now and as soon as we start having a few days in the 60's and 70's there will be a rush to get out to our great Virginia State Parks. There's a day use park down in the Williamsburg area that has some great multi-use trails. York River State Park has over 25 miles of combined trails that will both challenge and delight horseback riders, mountain bikers, and hikers.

One of my favorite trails there is a hiking only trail called Taskinas Creek Trail. The trail starts in the day use area to the left of the contact station where you pay your parking fee. It drops down and then skirts the edge of the marsh for a while where you get a chance to view both fresh and salt water species of plants as the trail moves back and forth between the two environments. While hiking this trail I have had the chance to see various reptile and amphibian species along with deer, bald eagles, osprey, and so many other species. During the summer months you will also see thousands of fiddler crabs that will scurry away to their protective hole as you get close.

One of my favorite trees in the parks is also on this trail. About 3/4 of a mile in on your left you will see this massive tulip popular tree that looks like it has some type of growth bubbling out of it. I love standing and looking up there. Part of the reason the tree has grown so well, is that there is a natural spring to the right, which even in the driest of summers allowed it to keep drinking. After following along the marsh for a while the trail heads back up and follows a ridge. There are some great views from here and the chance to study the upland woods. The whole hike is a little under 2 miles and offers a geat diversity for the nature lover. Enjoy!

Visit Pocahontas State Park During National Wildlife Week

Thursday, March 4, 2010 by Zoe Rogers

Join us at Pocahontas State Park during National Wildlife Week, March 15th –21st, for outdoor nature programs that will introduce you and your family to the wildlife found in the park.

Little Explorers, Thursday, March 18th, 10 – 11 a.m.

Does your child love learning about nature? Join us to make some crafts that will help our returning animal friends find food and nesting materials. Make some for the Nature Center and some to take home. Program is designed for children preschool and kindergarten ages. Cost is $3 per child. Preregistration required. For more information and to register, please call the park office at 796-4255.

A Walk in the Woods, Saturday, March 20th, 2 – 3:30 p.m.

The first day of spring should be celebrated outdoors. Grab your family and join us to search for signs that the woods are gearing up for this exciting season of birth and renewal. One mile moderate hike. Cost is $2/person or $6/family. Preregistration required. For more information and to register, please call the park office at 796-4255.

An Evening with the Stars, Saturday, March 20th, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Join the Crew Astronomy Club for a guided tour of the night sky. Enjoy tales of the constellations, view distant galaxies through powerful telescopes and watch for meteors and satellites passing by. If skies are cloudy, join us for a fun astronomy program in the Heritage Center. Program is free but parking fees apply. Preregistration required. For more information and to register, please call the park office at 796-4255. Please meet at the boat ramp parking area at Swift Creek Lake

To view the complete list of events/programs at Pocahontas State Park during the month of March and April, please visit Virginia State Parks web site and click on park events.

What Did Colonial Kids Do for Fun?

Wednesday, March 3, 2010 by Cyndi Juarez

The Women of Leesylvania

I love electricity, it powers just about everything I do at home and allows me to keep working well past dark. My kids love it too, they watch television, play video games, use the computer, etc. When we have power outages they are fun for about an hour or so. We pretend "camp" at home and everyone gets a bit closer until the power returns. Then it’s back to business as usual and we all go our own ways.

Just this week due to the unfortunate demise of my son’s Playstation we were discussing what it would be like to live without power, all the time like they did in the old days.

If you’ve ever wondered what kids did for fun or what it was like to manage a household long ago come to Leesylvania State Park this weekend and get a glimpse of the unplugged past.

The Women of Leesylvania program at Leesylvania State Park this Saturday from 11- 3 will have something for the entire family. Cindy Buck- Thompson, as Martha Fairfax will entertain and answer questions about famous past residents of the park.

Chief Ranger, Sarah Phillips has also arranged a "travelling trunk" filled with colonial clothes for today’s kids to try on for size. There will be period crafts to try and interesting displays to discover. Please drop in and join us. There is a small fee for this program and details can be found on our website