Northern Virginia History

First Landing State Park is a truly unique camping destination.  It is a 2,888 acre natural area set within the coastal urban area of Virginia Beach.  Essentially, you get the best of both worlds---the great outdoors and nature programs as well as easy access to great restaurants and attractions.





As a long-time Virginia Beach resident, park employee, and local tourist---I've developed a "sample itinerary" for a weeklong camping stay at First Landing complete with insider tips related to traffic, sights, park programs, and what to bring.

Day One--Friday

Campsite check-in begins at 4pm.  The contact station is the "gatehouse" located at the park entrance.  Because we have a very short driveway, you will be directed to pull through, park your vehicle and come to the front window to get your site assignment.  Be sure to watch the informational video while you are waiting to get your site assignment. 

Once you get your site set up, you can stop by the park's Campstore for anything you need.  The Campstore stocks groceries, RV parts, fishing gear, charcoal, firewood, souveniers, and more!!  Be sure to pick up a "Sunny Day Guide" from the kiosks outside the campstore...it is chock full of coupons.



After dinner, spend some time on the park's beautiful Chesapeake Bay beach.  There are no lifeguards on duty, but the slow wave action and shallow water make it a great spot for small children to play in the surf.




Once the sun sets, you'll want to build your own campfire. Firewood is available at the campstore--please don't burn deadfall or cut trees in the park.  If you like, join the park's evening Campfire program where you might make a few new friends while you eat some S'mores. 


Did you know First Landing State Park hold the Guinness World Record for the World's Largest S'more??!!  Stop by the Chesapeake Bay Center to find out just how big it was and how many chocolate bars, graham crackers, and marshallows it took to make it!



As you settle in for the night, remember quiet hours are 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.  The main contact station is staffed 24 hours a day from mid-June through mid-August.  If you have any questions or would like to report any problems, you can let them know.  


Day Two (Saturday)


Good morning!! If you haven't already set up a screened tent over your picnic table, you ought to do that first thing this morning.  In the cooler morning air, mosquitoes and biting flies can be an inconvenience. 

Be sure to reset your tent stakes--the park is in a wetlands area and the moisture in the soil can loosen your stakes after the morning dew is absorbed.  Also, be sure to secure your RV and any valuables while you explore the park and the Hampton Roads area.

Busch Gardens Amusement Park, the Virginia Beach Aquarium, the Boardwalk, the Cape Henry Lighthouse at Fort Story, and the Historic Triangle (Jamestown, Yorktown, Colonial Williamsburg) area are the Top 5 things most visitors like to do while in the Hampton Roads area. 

We'll visit the Cape Henry Lighthouse today and the other attractions later in the week when the traffic and crowds should be lighter.

First Landing State Park is named for the First Landing of the Virginia Company that went on to settle England's first permanent colony, Jamestown, in the New World.   Before setting off for the Lighthouse at Fort Story, stop by the park's Chesapeake Bay Center First Landing Museum where you can get some perspective on the Virginia Company and their New World adventures. 



Once you walk through the First Landing exhibit, you're ready to head over to Fort Story to see the cross and lighthouse.  Fort Story is a working military base so be prepared by having appropriate identification with you and be prepared for a vehicle search.  Access to the lighthouse is via the Atlantic Ave/88th Street gates--about 5 miles east of the park on Shore Drive. (Turn left out of the park's campground entrace!)



There are strict rules about climbing the lighthouse stairs.  Children must be 42" tall, children can not be carried up the staris, and not backpacks or frontpacks are allowed. 

After visiting the lighthouse, you'll probably be ready to spend the afternoon on the beach.  Be sure to check the park's program schedule for evening guide hikes or nature programs.  Every Saturday night, First Landing offers an excellent night hike--and it is FREE!


Day Three (Sunday)


Sunday morning in a great time to visit the Oceanfront/Boardwalk.  To get there, turn left out of the park's campground entrace, follow Shore Drive until it turn into Atlantic Avenue.  There is a parking garage at 31st and Atlantic. 


The huge King Neptune statue is a great meeting place if your group wants to split up and do separate activities.   There are also many excellent and affordable breakfast spots nearby.  Bike rentals and skate rental kiosks are located up and down the boardwalk.

Lifeguards are on duty for much of the main summer season along the Oceanfront/Boardwalk.  A flag system is also in place.  Be mindful of the riptide current and heavy wave action along this section of the Atlantic.  Red flags mean no swimming; yellow flags mean to be EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS--wade only to your ankes; green flags mean it is safe to swim.  The area past 5th Street is designated for surfer's only.  There is an excellent handicap/stroller accessible playground for small children at 5th Street.


On Sunday afternoon, I recommend you take a leisurely drive across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel.  This 17-mile span is considered one of America's "Modern Marvels."  Just a few miles past the northern end of the bridge is Kiptopeke State Park.


Kiptopeke State Park has an excellent fishing pier and boat launch.  Kayaks are available for rent as well.


After working up an appetite fishing or hiking at Kiptopeke State Park, I recommend you stop by Stingray's for some great seafood and souveniers.

Day Four--Monday 

Traffic in Hampton Roads can be a challenge!  I recommend you hold off on Busch Gardens and the Historic Triangle until mid-week.  Since this is a tourist area and many people take long weekend trips, tunnel traffic westbound on Mondays can be very heavy.

Of course, you have to be flexible with the weather.  When I'm camping, I usually hold an indoor activity in reserve in case of rainy weather or severe sunburn from the previous day's activities.  The newly renovated Virginia Beach Aquarium makes for a great indoor activity!!

The Virginia Beach Aquarium has a IMAX movie theater, excellent outdoor walking trail, fabulous exhibits, a shark tank, seaturtle tank, and numerous touch tanks!  

First Landing State Park has an excellent partnership with the Aquarium.  Throughout the year, many rehabilitated sea mammals are released from the park into the wild.  While these events are unpredictable, you might get lucky and witness a seal release like this one that happened last year.



Day Five--Tuesday

Virginia's Historic Triangle is a unique area that bore witness to the settlement of the New World, the colonization of the New World and the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown that ensured victory for the American Revolutaries.   

As always, traffic approaching the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel can be heavy.  Tunnel back ups can sometimes reach 6 miles.  There are numerous signs that indicate the length of the back-up.  Bear in mind, on average, each mile of back up equates with a ten-minute delay.  I recommend that you leave early--before 7:30 a.m. and return late--after 7:30p.m. 

The bridge tunnel traffic is heaviest from 8am-10am and 3pm-7pm.  Use HOV lanes whenever possible.  Also, when traveling eastbound on your return trip--stay in the far left lane--it moves faster and allows you to avoid merging traffic.

There is so much to see and do in this area, I recommend you pick just one or two sites to focus on.  If you are looking to plan your visit with a timeline theme, you ought to visit the Jamestown sites first, then Colonial Williamsburg, ending with the Yorktown Victory Center and a visit to Riverwalk Landing for dinner or ice cream.

If Virgina's agrian history is more to your liking, take the ferry across the James River to Surry, Virginia and Chippokes Plantation State Park.  Chippokes Plantation State Park houses the Chippokes Farm & Forest Museum, the ante-bellum Stewart Mansion, and 18th century River House.  Don't forget your bathing suits for a dip in their olympic-sized swimming pool!



Once you return to the First Landing, check the program schedule for the Stargazing program times.  Stargazing is offered every Tuesday night!!


Day Five--Wednesday

It's Busch Gardens time!!  As a long-time annual passholder, I have a lot of experience with visiting Busch Gardens.  Even though it is mid-week traffic an be an issue near the Busch Gardens exit off I-64.  Arrive early and leave early evening  or arrive early afternoon and leave after the rides shut down. 

By going mid-week, you are avoiding the "locals crowd" that tend to visit Busch Gardens on the weekend and you are avoiding the "long weekenders" who visit on Mondays and Fridays.

Check out the Busch Gardens website for all the info you need to make the most of your visit.

If you return to First Landing in time, be sure to check out the Moonlight Movie offered every Wednesday night at 8:30 p.m. in the park's amphitheater.  The movie is always age appropriate and has a nature/wildlife theme.  The movie is always free and popcorn/soda/candy is available at the Campstore.


Day Seven--Thursday

Now that you've thoroughly explored the Hampton Roads area, it is time to thoroughly explore the park. 

First Landing has 20 miles of trails!  You can rent a bike at the Campstore and ride the 6-mile (one way) Cape Henry Trail down to the Narrows/Broad Bay area.  This small beach and wetland area is great for birdwatching.  You might see eagles, owls, osprey, egrets, and herons. 


On Thursdays at 2pm, the park offers a "What's in the Nets?" program at the Chesapeake Bay Center Boardwalk.  Park naturalists, with your assistance, will seine for small fish, shellfish, shrimp, and crabs.  You can get an up close look at all the different marine life in the bay's shallows. 



Then at 4pm every Thursday, park naturalists conduct a guided hike through the Bald Cypress Trail.  You absolutely have to bring your camera to this program!!


Departure Day--Friday

Enjoy the beach in the morning and then make ready to check out of your site by 3 p.m.  Be sure to take all your trash to the dumpster at the Chesapeake Bay Center and notify the contact station staff of your departure.


Remember the campground is open seasonally from early March to early December, but the cabins are available for reservation year-round.



Happy Trails!

For the past 2 years, along with your help, Odwalla has made a commitment to America's  state parks by donating money to help plant trees. It’s pretty simple. You visit the Plant A Tree site and vote for which state you want to support and Odwalla provides the funding for the trees. Last year Virginia State Parks received almost $24,000 to plant trees in our parks that will help provide shade to park users for years to come. Not to mention the benefits to the environment.

Some of our parks planted trees in picnic areas and others planted them in the cabin area. Northern Red Oaks, White Oaks, Dogwoods! Southwest Virginia Museum planted 13 new trees to replace the trees that were lost during the 2008 tornado that hit Big Stone Gap.

Right now we are behind Pennsylvania and Texas in the voting. So, please, can we count on your vote?

You can vote once for every email account you have. If you try to vote with a different address and you get the notice you have already voted, try clearing out the history and cookies on your computer. If you have a Facebook account you can vote through that account, but it is not a requirement.

Please also help us spread the word to all of your family and friends. Have your children suggest their classes plant virtual trees! Vote for Virginia State Parks! Vote for Virginia State Parks! Vote for Virginia State Parks!

                                         

Follow Friday? I have taken a Twitter custom of recommending fellow accounts to followers and applied it to my blogging and choose a website or blog each week to recommend to those who read my posts.


You load up a pile of firewood in your truck and haul it to your campsite to burn during your stay. Sounds like a cost saving idea since the park will charge you for wood. But sadly what might save you a few bucks could destroy a forest.

The emerald ash borer is a small, non-native beetle first noticed in the United States in Michigan in 2002. (Scientists believe the beetle has been in Michigan for up 10 years.) A native of Asia, its larvae have killed at least 20 million ash trees in Michigan, Ohio and Indiana.

State agencies there and the U.S. Forest Service conduct research, eradicate the pest by removing and burning infected trees, and work to quarantine the insects. Billions of trees are at risk.

According to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the emerald ash borer and other pests can be easily transported in firewood so the simplest way you can prevent infestation by buying firewood at your destination instead of taking it with you when camping or hunting. And don't accept firewood from infested states. This is such a concern for our trees and forests, that Governor McDonnell has declared May 23-29, 2010 as Virginia Emerald Ash Borer Awareness Week.



In Virginia we actually have quarantined areas to stop the spread of the EAB. It is unlawful to transport firewood from the counties of Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun and Prince William as well as for the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax City, Falls Church, Manassas and Manassas Park.

To stop this and other pests from destroying our trees, my Follow Friday recommendation is actually two great websites. There is Stop the Beetle from the US Department of Agriculture. Be sure to check out their Facebook page too. I have been a fan of Don't Move Firewood for more than a year now. We even have a few of their videos posted on our Facebook page. They also have a Facebook page. The Don't Move Firewood site and campaign is a product of
The Continental Dialogue on Non-Native Forest Insects and Diseases. The Don't Move Firewood folks are responsible for the video above and a whole collection of videos and PSAs that get the word out in a clever way.

If you visit Sky Meadows, Leesylvania or Mason Neck state parks (our parks located within the quarantine area), you may see these which have been set up to trap the pests by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

So what can you do to help stop transporting wood pests? On the Stop the Beetle website, you can take a pledge to not move firewood.

• Keep firewood in the county where I buy it.
• Know where it comes from — and not accept it from EAB infested states.
• Buy firewood at my camping destination; and burn it where I buy it.

By Kenny Morales, Media Representative, AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps, Atlantic Region, Class XVI, Raven Unit, Team V

While many young people are wrapping up their spring semester of school, a group of nine young adults are improving the over-all environment at Mason Neck State Park as part of their 10-month commitment to community service with the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps.

Mason Neck State Park is hosting the NCCC team, Raven 5, that has been assigned a six week commitment of service at the park.

Raven 5 has been deployed to clear unwanted undergrowth from 10.2 acres, remove invasive species, and construct a one-quarter acre wildlife pond. This entails hauling over 13 tons of debris and removing invasive trees.


Congressman Gerald E. Connolly recently said in a post on his website, “The work these young people will perform in Mason Neck State Park will ensure it remains the best place in Northern Virginia to observe bald eagles and many other species of birds and wildlife located in this gem of protected open space, without the help of the federal government and the labor of these dedicated young people, it is questionable whether the Commonwealth would have had the resources to get this needed work completed in the park,”  Connolly said.


Mason Neck is the only state park in Fairfax County and the closest state park for residents of Fairfax and Arlington Counties, Alexandria, Fairfax City, and the City of Falls Church.  It serves approximately 2 million residents of Northern Virginia. The park is a natural habitat for migratory birds, and is a one of the few safe havens for the American Bald Eagle.


Marc Ingramm, a Park Ranger at Mason Neck and sponsor for the NCCC team, has been leading Raven 5 in their time at the park and teaching them aspects of natural resource management. 


“It is enjoyable working with this NCCC team,” says Ingramm. “We are glad to host this year's team in Mason Neck State Park.” Raven 5 is the fifth NCCC team to spend part of their service year at Mason Neck.

AmeriCorps NCCC is a leadership program for young people ages 18 to 24. In exchange for completing 1,700 hours of service during a 10-month term, these young people receive an education award of over $5,000, plus a living stipend, housing and more. AmeriCorps programs are administered by the Corporation for National and Community Service, a federal agency. Interested applicants and project sponsors are encouraged to learn more by visiting www.americorps.gov or calling 1-800-942-2677. For additional high resolution photos of the Raven 5 NCCC Team click here.

History runs deep in the heart of Southwest Virginia, through the Cumberland Gap and into Kentucky.  To help preserve that history, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park interpreter Pam Eddy and Wilderness Road State Park concessions manager Mike Brindle have collaborated on a piece of artwork that captures the very essence of the westward movement.
    
This massive interpretive sign will be made of metal with the notch of the fabled Cumberland Gap very noticeable in its overall design.  It measures 10 feet by 10 feet, with the rich red sunset, spirits of the Cherokee warriors, and the settlers heading west led by Daniel Boone capturing “The Dark and Bloody Ground,” the name given Kentucky at the time of settlement in the mid-eighteenth century. Northern and southern Native American tribes, particularly the Cherokee and Shawnee, had long fought over this region, known for its rich hunting grounds, favored salt licks and bountiful fresh water springs.

When Richard Henderson of the Transylvania Land Company signed the Treaty of Sycamore Shoals in 1775, purchasing the land known as Kentucky from the Cherokee, Daniel Boone was taken aside by a Cherokee Chief, whom he had grown familiar with, and told, “Brother, we have sold you a fine land, but you will have much trouble in settling it, for I have seen a dark cloud over that land.”  Fiery Chief Dragging Canoe also warned they had secured a dark and bloody ground.
  
“When Pam first approached me about the idea of creating this wonderful interpretive sign, I listened to her description and immediately pictured this scene in my mind,” stated Brindle.  “Using Photoshop, I took various photos of interpreters in period costume, combined them with a brilliant red sunset, the distant mountain terrain and added ‘see-through’ spirits of two Cherokee Warriors, watching over the settlers heading westward.  We have a wonderful partnership with the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park and this project is just another example of our combined effort to interpret the Wilderness Road and the amazing history we are blessed with in this area.”
    
For more information on Wilderness Road State Park, call the park office at 276-445-3065, and for more information on Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, call 606-248-2817.

Halfway through the work week and eleven volunteers from the American Hiking Society are still working hard at Douthat State Park doing trail work.

The group of volunteers were split up into two groups today to meet at Tuscarora Overlook, a scenic view of Douthat State Park, to clear trails along the way and clear brush around the overlook.  Nine trees were cleared off the trails on the way up to the overlook and several hundred feet were cleared around the viewing area of Tuscarora Overlook.

Douthat State Park employees John Nicely and David Reynolds are leading the group this week through the volunteer projects.

The group of volunteers consist of: Brad and Jeanie Newcomer from Hagerstown, Md.; Brian Merrill from Depew, N.Y.; Caroline Neff from Fairfield, Ill.; Dan Krull from Washington, Va.; Greta Steber from Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Sandra Hart from Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; Jenna MacFarlene from Charlotte, N.C.; Thomas Jones from Hawley, Pa.; Libby Wile from Arlington, Va.; and Tina Temple from Owensboro, Ky.

Any one interested in volunteering at Douthat State Park needs to contact the main office at 540-862-8100.

For general park information go to www.virginiastateparks.gov, contact the park office at 540-862-8100 or email Douthat State Park at Douthat@dcr.virginia.gov.  Douthat is located at 14239 Douthat State Park Road, Millboro, Va. 24460. 

Eleven volunteers from the American Hiking Society are working at Douthat State Park this week and have started their first day of trail work.

The group of volunteers were split up into two groups to install new trail signs throughout the park.  One group started at the intersection of Brushy Hollow Trail and Flat Run Trail and the other group started off of Guest Lodge Trail onto Mountain Side Trail.  All volunteers will do an extensive amount of hiking this week.

Douthat State Park employees John Nicely and David Reynolds are leading the group this week through the volunteer projects.

A lot of the volunteers have previously participated in American Hiking Society volunteer trips in the past.  The group ranges from 21-years-old to 62-years-old.

The group of volunteers consist of: Brad and Jeanie Newcomer from Hagerstown, Md.; Brian Merrill from Depew, N.Y.; Caroline Neff from Fairfield, Ill.; Dan Krull from Washington, Va.; Greta Steber from Tuscaloosa, Ala.; Sandra Hart from Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; Jenna MacFarlene from Charlotte, N.C.; Thomas Jones from Hawley, Pa.; Libby Wile from Arlington, Va.; and Tina Temple from Owensboro, Ky.

Any one interested in volunteering at Douthat State Park needs to contact the main office at 540-862-8100.

For general park information go to www.virginiastateparks.gov, contact the park office at 540-862-8100 or email Douthat State Park at Douthat@dcr.virginia.gov.  Douthat is located at 14239 Douthat State Park Road, Millboro, Va. 24460. 

UPDATE: Both the House of Delegates and Senate reported their versions of the budget out on February 21st with no cuts or closures to parks. Thanks everyone for the overwhelming support!

In the midst of a state budget crisis, Virginia's Governor Bob McDonnell released his plans for balancing the biennial budget in a press release on Wednesday.


After two previous years of budget cuts to a budget that was already described as "frugal" Virginia's state parks must close 5 parks in order to reach the $500,000 per year proposed budget reductions. The five parks scheduled for closure July 1 are False Cape State Park in Virginia Beach; Caledon Natural Area in King George County; Mason Neck State Park in Fairfax; Twin Lakes State Park in Prince Edward County; and Staunton River Battlefield State Park in Halifax and Charlotte counties.


The State Parks budget is a precarious combination of the revenue we earn from operating our facilities and money we receive from the state's general fund. The biggest danger for us is reducing the service level at our parks so that our revenue is impacted. This would create a snowball effect that would bankrupt our parks. So at some point continued reductions means we have to close parks to keep the rest of the system viable.


The parks were selected based on a number of economic factors, including they have lower attendance and revenue than other parks, the cost of operation, number of staff, etc. Geographic considerations were made so that no one area would be impacted more than others and due to relatively close proximity to other state park locations. This is not optimal but the whole situation is not what anyone would want.


What's next? The Governor's proposed amendments now goes to the General Assembly for their review.  They are responsible for passing a budget bill. The legislature could accept or reject the Governor's proposed amendments.  Given that these five parks generate more than $5.6 million in local economic impact, legislators are faced with a choice of closing parks that stimulate ouitdoor recreation and tourism spending in their local communities. We would hopefully know the outcome by mid-March.

Almost five years ago my family moved from Camp Pendleton in San Diego, California to Quantico Marine Corps Base in Stafford, Virginia. Starting high school in a new state is a rather daunting experience, most military brats can attest to that. However, I lucked out when my mother got a position as a Visitor Services Specialist with Virginia State Parks in Northern Virginia. We quickly became a State Parks family, attending Music at the Marina, Multicultural Festivals, and Haunted History Hikes. It was a new home away from home with built in friends. Before I knew it I was working at Leesylvania State Park with the Director of Volunteer Services. My older brothers were spending summers with the Youth Conservation Corps, my dad was volunteering at Operation Fresh Air, even my youngest brother would tag along and help out where he could. Though my parents are relocating to Okinawa, Japan I plan on staying behind and continuing the Juarez/Moore family legacy at VA State Parks.

Regardless of falling temperatures or even falling snow, Mason Neck State Park is a great place to visit in December.  Bring a thermos of coffee or hot cocoa and enjoy a brisk hike along our trails, or just watch the songbirds flocking to the Visitor Center birdfeeders as well as the ducks congregating nearby on Belmont Bay. Winter is a wonderful time to explore nature. If you're lucky enough to be here after a snowfall, you might even see the tracks of elusive animals such as red fox, turkeys, deer and more.

We also offer guided interpretive programs on weekends most of this month, except on the 26th and 27th.  You can go birdwatching for winter waterfowl, try your hand at Geocaching, or look for the ever-popular bald eagle.  The following programs are held on Saturdays and Sundays this month. 

Even if you can't make a guided program, come visit us this month.  Parking fees always apply: $3/car on weekdays, $4/car on weekends and holidays.  We're located in northern Virginia, in the southeast corner of Fairfax County. We hope to see you soon!

SATURDAYS (December 5, 12, 19)

10:30-11:30 am Wild for Winter Waterfowl
    Join us as we observe swans, ducks and other migrating waterfowl that reside in Belmont Bay during the winter months.  We’ll have a spotting scope available for public use.  FREE. Meet at Bay View Trail head.

12:30-2:30 pm GPS Adventures
    Join us on this one mile hike with park GPS units.  We’ll explore nature while searching for hidden caches!  This program is most appropriate for ages six and up.  Maximum of ten participants.  First come, first served.  $3 per person or $8 for the family.  Meet at the Visitor Center.

3:30-4:30 pm Majestic Eagles
    Look for bald eagles with us, and discover their fascinating lives.  FREE. Meet at the Visitor Center.

SUNDAYS (December 6, 13, 20)

10:30-11:30 am Wild for Winter Waterfowl
    Join us as we observe swans, ducks and other migrating waterfowl that reside in Belmont Bay during the winter months.  We’ll have a spotting scope available for public use.  FREE. Meet at Bay View Trail head.

3:30-4:30 pm Majestic Eagles
    Look for bald eagles with us, and discover their fascinating lives.  FREE. Meet at the Visitor Center.

Take a hayride to the Potomac River through a Virginia old growth hardwood forest. You never know what kind of wildlife you will see along the way! The gift shop and visitor center will be open. Coolers and outside food and alcohol are not permitted within the festival grounds. 

The Caledon Art and Wine Festival is November 7, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tasting is $7 per person and includes a commemorative John Shaw wine glass. You must be 21 years or older to taste wine and have your ID showing age with you. Parking is $3 per vehicle. If you are not tasting, there is no additional fee to enjoy the festival.

Caledon Natural Area, designated a National Natural Landmark, provides visitors the unique opportunity to view bald eagles in their natural habitat. Caledon and the surrounding areas are the summer home for one of the largest concentrations of bald eagles on the East Coast. As many as 68 eagles have been spotted on the bluffs overlooking the Potomac River.

Education and programming is the primary focus of the natural area. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of Caledon by hiking and picnicking in a hardwood forest. Hiking trails in the eagle area are closed April 1st – October 1st to allow young birds undisturbed time to perfect their hunting and fishing skills. Limited tours of the eagle area are offered, however, mid-June through August by reservation only.

Park guests can learn more about the natural history of Caledon, the American Bald Eagle, bats, owls, swans and other interesting wildlife. Located in King George County, near the Dahlgren Military Base, Caledon is beautiful drive from Fredericksburg, Maryland, Richmond and the Northern Neck. Click here for a Google map and directions.
 
Campsites at nearby Westmoreland State Park are still available. Call 800-933-7275 to reserve or book on line.

Did you know that Mason Neck State Park publishes a quarterly e-newsletter, the Eagle Eye?  Four times a year we release a PDF containing news about the park, natural history articles and information about current and upcoming interpretive programs.  It's a great way to keep up with seasonal events at the park, and with Northern Virginia nature as well.

The Eagle Eye is an easy and free way to keep in touch with Mason Neck's park and nature news.  The program schedules will help you make the best of your visits. Even if you can't visit as often as you'd like, reading the descriptions of nature and wildlife in the park will help you feel like you're here.

The fall 2009 issue includes a report on Mason Neck's bluebird nesting boxes, introduces several fall-flowering plants in the wildlife garden column, and lists upcoming dates of interest, such as the expected arrivals of certain migrating birds. 

If you would like to subscribe to the Eagle Eye, signing up could hardly be easier.  Just send an email to masonneck@dcr.virginia.gov with Eagle Eye in the subject line.  We’ll send you the current issue and add you to our mailing list.

Just last week there was another article about the stress of war taking a toll on military children. Along with the usual lifestyle challenges, military children are also coping with parents being deployed at an increased rate to support two wars. At Virginia State Parks we believe our parks are a tonic for the mind, body and spirit. This is one of the reasons we were very happy to partner with the National Park Service Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network to create an exciting adventure camp for children who's parents are stationed at Fort Belvoir. 

Captain John Smith Explorers Camp provided an opportunity for military children to get outside and connect with northern Virginia history, northern Virginia outdoors and have some fun.
Fort Belvoir children got to know Captain John Smith and the local area he first explored more than 400 years ago.


Through hands-on activities, hiking, and exploring, children are learning what it must have been like for Captain John Smith and his crew when they first arrived on the shores of Mason Neck in 1608. Captain Smith kept a journal with detailed descriptions of his surroundings. He and his crew spent several weeks in the Mason Neck area searching for gold and dodging Indian arrows.


Children that participated in this project spent one week learning about that experience and making important connections with the past.


Through a cooperative agreement between the state and national parks the program was free and camp size was limited to ensure a high quality program. 


While having fun was one of the main objectives, the program was also intended to create lifelong stewards of the Chesapeake Bay and the area’s cultural and historical heritage. Teachers Kelly Evans and Paige Hutchinson designed a curriculum to meet program goals while engaging children in actively discovering the natural world around them.


Some of the activities included: nature journaling, plant and animal identification, water testing and canoeing. Children were given a Mason Neck hat and a certificate upon graduation.  Camp sessions were July 5th through August 14th. 
Mason Neck State Park is in Fairfax County on High Point Road. The park is located 7 miles northeast of Woodbridge. Take US Route 1, then turn east on State Route 242 (Gunston Road) for about 4 miles. Park Entrance is on the right. 

Big Country 101 Annual Back to School Beach Bash was held on Saturday, Aug. 15, 2009, beginning at 11 a.m. at Douthat State Park.

The day was a big success at Douthat’s beach complex.  To kick off the morning at 11 a.m. was the toilet paper toss.  One guest threw the toilet paper and the partner caught it blindfolded while sitting on the toilet.  First place went to Matt and James Wright of Bedford, Va. catching eight rolls.


Lunch was served at noon compliments of Douthat State Park.  Two-hundred hotdogs were given out along with sweet tea and lemonade.

 

The hula hoop contest started around 12:30 p.m. and was a competitive competition.  It came down to three contestants.  Third place was 11-year-old Carly Ritter from Midlothian, Va. with 36 minutes.  Second place was 7-year-old Allison Bora from Fincastle, Va. with 42 minutes and 15 seconds, and first place as 14-year-old David Aronson from Greensboro, N.C. with over 42 minutes.



The sand sculpture contest was judged at 1:45 p.m.  Honorable mention sculpting a zoo was Stone Russel.  Third place created a sea turtle was 11-year-old Gabriella Moore from Roanoke, Va. 

Second place created an octopus and sea turtles roasting marshmallows over a fire was Lizzy Galliger.  First place created an alligator eating a fish was Alison Gozora from Inwood, WVa.  



The diving contest started at 2 p.m.  Best belly flop was 14-year-old Michael Morgan from Goshen, Va.  Most creative dive was 16-year-old Melissa Wakefield from Richmond, Va.  Biggest splash was 45-year-old Kenny Hiner from Monterey, Va.  Best dive was Lane Williams.

The water balloon toss started at 2:30 p.m. and the last two standing with their water balloon was 14-year-old Matt Wright and 46-year-old James Wright from Bedford, Va.

The day came to an end with the Cardboard Boat Regatta.  The boats were first judged for Best in Show.  Eight-year-old Darin Ryder from Hot Springs, Va. won Best in Show by creating a swordfish.


First place in the boat race was 12-year-old Logan Gunsallus from Charrlottesville, Va.  Logan spent three weeks creating his boat and used eight rolls of duck tape to complete it.


Second place in the boat race was 18-year-old Collin Chadduck from Alexandria, Va.  Collin spent two hours on his boat and used three rolls of duck tape.  He had help from the Fochee Family of Columbus, Ohio.

Third place in the boat race was 15-year-old James Hancock from Roanoke, Va.  James spent three days creating his boat and used 10 to 15 rolls of duck tape to complete it.


There were a total of eight cardboard boats in the competition.


Several volunteers participated throughout the day.  Big Country 101 staffed the event along with McDonald’s volunteers Virginia Faber, area supervisor, and Tammy Arrington, store manager, and Jiena Hollandsworth a Douthat volunteer.First National Bank was a sponsor for the event and Ntelos provided prizes along with Douthat State Park.

There were 450 guests who bought swim passes for Saturday and 217 camping and cabin guests.

For more information go to www.virginiastateparks.gov, contact the park office at 540-862-8100 or email Douthat State Park at Douthat@dcr.virginia.gov.  Douthat is located at 14239 Douthat State Park Road, Millboro, VA 24460.

Fawn Palmer leads the Westmoreland State Park Kayak Trips on the Potomac River.

We wanted to share her notes about the trip on Saturday, August 8th, 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Wow!

Been leading groups on kayak river trips at Westmoreland State Park for four years now. Today was the Very Best that we have ever experienced.

Between the main beach and Fossil Beach, a distance of about  1.2 miles there were at least two dozen eagles, adults and juveniles. Flying overhead, circling lower and lower to fish, soaring higher and higher on thermals & perching on the trees.

Magnificent morning! Thank you Rachel Carson for sounding the alarm about the dangers of pesticide accumulation in the fatty tissues of top level predators such as eagles and osprey. Today, we gloried in wild Bald Eagles, thriving on the Potomac. 

Also spotted:
 
2 Kingfishers
3 Great Blue Herons
2 Osprey

Editor: As you might guess, Fawn is a great guide!

It's not too late to take one of these magnificent kayak adventures this year. The trip includes basic instruction, safety tips, a guided tour of the shoreline and plenty of kayaking. The park offers two types of trips: the Pirates, Privateers and Patriots trip on Fridays, mid-June through mid-August, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.; and the Fossils, Eagles, Herons and History trip on Sundays, Memorial Day to Labor Day, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The latter is also offered on Saturdays, May through October, 10 a.m. to noon.

After the trip, be sure to hunt for sharks teeth along the beach. The park is known for spectacular fossil finds. Westmoreland State Park is located on Virginia's northern neck. It is a convenient drive from D.C. and northern Virginia, Richmond and central Virginia, and Tidewater and Hampton Roads. Westmoreland State Park is located between George Washington's Birth Place National Monument and Stratford Hall, boyhood home to Robert E. Lee. There is a lot to see and do around the park.

Pre-register by calling 1-800-933-PARK at least one day prior to the trip. Sometimes we must cancel the trip for inclement weather or small craft advisories.

The trip is a great addition to an overnight stay at the park. Westmoreland State Park offers camping and cabin rentals. Overnight reservations can also be made by calling 1-800-933-PARK (7275) or by booking on line.

Music at the Marina

You have a perfect opportunity to see the United States Navy Band's "Country Current" country-bluegrass group performing at Leesylvania State Park this Saturday at 7:00 PM. They are the Navy's premier country music ensemble. This seven-member group  formed in 1973 and quickly established itself in all aspects of country and bluegrass music. The group is under the direction of banjoist Senior Chief Musician Keith M. Arneson.

Touring the country each year in support of Navy Recruiting, they have performed with such artists as Boots Randolph, Charlie Daniels, Vince Gill and David Ball.  Other credits include the Grand Ole Opry, Wheeling Jamboree and the Academy of Country Music Awards show.

The group's latest recording, Country Current LIVE, was released in the fall of 2004. The group received national acclaim during "Operation Desert Storm" for an original composition entitled "We Are With You", which aired on ABC's "Good Morning America, TNN's "Nashville Now" and over 500 radio and television stations.

Country Current has appeared on CBS's "This Morning" and was featured for four consecutive years on the Department of the Interior's "Salute to America Independence Day Radio Program" airing on over 1,600 stations nationwide. 
 

We are thrilled to welcome them to Music at the Marina, a Virginia outdoor concert series at Leesylvania State Park.  The concert will begin at 7:00 PM. Feel free to pack a picnic dinner or purchase dinner from our Breakwater Marina Grill. Either way, you will be able to relax on the shores of the Potomac and enjoy this critically acclaimed group.


You might want to come earlier in the day and experience some northern Virginia history on our Lee's Wood Trail self guided hike.  Another possibility for family fun is to rent kayaks for kayaking trips on Powell's Creek. Fishermen or women in the group will enjoy taking advantage of fishing in VA at this riverfront park.


There really is something for everyone at the state parks in Virginia and I hope to see you in the park!


For more inforamtion about the concert please call 703-583-6904.