I just took a trip to Staunton River State Park in Scottsburg, Virginia. While at the park I got a tour of their facilities. The park is a little off the beaten path, but once you get there what a great place to spend a week. The park has a beautiful swimming pool with giant water slide and a kiddies swim area. What I liked about the pool area is that it even had picnic tables there to sit with your family and have a nice picnic lunch. Right outside the swim area were 2 tennis courts that looked like a great place for a little competitive battle. The park has 8 cabins that may have been built by the CCC in the 1930's. but have modern amenities and a great location above the river. I would much prefer to stay in these cabins than any four star hotel. In addition for overnight accommodations the park has a beautiful campground. The sites looked spacious and there were lots of trees to provide shade during the hot summer months. For boaters, the park had a nice lighted boat ramp with floating dock. The park also offers hiking trails to go get some exercise during your visit. If all that wasn't enough for a great stay, the staff there makes you feel welcomed and want to make sure you have a memorable experience. I just took a trip to Staunton River State Park in Scottsburg, Virginia. While at the park I got a tour of their facilities. The park is a little off the beaten path, but once you get there what a great place to spend a week. The park has a beautiful swimming pool with giant water slide and a kiddies swim area. What I liked about the pool area is that it even had picnic tables there to sit with your family and have a nice picnic lunch. Right outside the swim area were 2 tennis courts that looked like a great place for a little competitive battle. The park has 8 cabins that may have been built by the CCC in the 1930's. but have modern amenities and a great location above the river. I would much prefer to stay in these cabins than any four star hotel. In addition for overnight accommodations the park has a beautiful campground. The sites looked spacious and there were lots of trees to provide shade during the hot summer months. For boaters, the park had a nice lighted boat ramp with floating dock. The park also offers hiking trails to go get some exercise during your visit. If all that wasn't enough for a great stay, the staff there makes you feel welcomed and want to make sure you have a memorable experience. 
With Memorial Day Weekend upon us, the unofficial kickoff of summer is here and with it comes camping. I think no matter where you camp, or with whom you camp, you always bring back memories that are special. A year ago I took our Boy Scout troop for a weekend of camping at Douthat State Park. So many things happened in 48 hours that a "top ten list" was produced of the crazy things. There were two things that stood out in my mind from that trip. The first happened on a long hike up one of the mountains. As we got to the very top one of the boys twisted his ankle and we had to carry him the whole way down. It didn't help that he was one of the larger boys in the troop, but in the end it built character for the boys. On that very same evening, the storms of all storms hit. Inches of rain fell over a non-stop torrent that lasted for more than an hour. During that stretch I managed to keep a nice fire going, which came in handy trying to dry things out. We lost two of the 5 tents in the storm and some of the boys had to sleep in vehicles for the night. You may think with hearing just 2 out of a top 10 list of things that happened this was not a great trip. But a year later the boys still talk about it as if it was one of the best campouts they ever went on.
A few years back I took my girlfriend's son on his first camping trip to Westmoreland State Park. Just the guys going out and having some fun. What a special time it was and the park had so much to do. We swam in the pool that overlooks the Potomac River. We also took a hike down to their fossil beach and found a few shark's teeth. We cooked out on the campfire and for entertainment at night we made shadow puppets on our tent ceiling using the flahlight. It was a great weekend that neither of us will forget. We are now in Boy Scouts together so we do a lot of camping with the group, but it was kind of special taking the little guy on that first camp out. I hope you don't miss your opportunity to do the same with your children before they grow up! 
Virginia State Parks has joined in a partnership with several agencies including, Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries, Virginia Tourism and numerous County Tourism Agencies to promote fishing in Southwest Virginia. The group has formed Fish Virginia First to promote tourism in the area that roughly stretches from Kerr Reservoir by Occoneechee State Park to Douthat State Park and everything West of that line. A grant of $100,000 from the Tobacco Industry allowed the group to produce a rack card for shows, develop an interactive website for planning a trip (FishVirginiaFirst.com) and produce a fishing show to be aired on television.
The show was shot over several days at different locations that included 4 of our state parks, Occoneechee, Claytor Lake, New River Trail and Shot Tower. For this show, the two species of fish featured was crappie and walleye. Despite heavy rains the day shooting was to start and high muddy water with lots of debris at both bodies of water used for filming, anglers were successful. Local bass pros John Cruz and David Dudley did an excellent job promoting both Virginia and our State Parks. The show will include other things families can do while in Virginia, which of course includes the many things to do while at our parks.
To view a short 5 minute snippet of the filming click here. The actual full length show should be out later this year and air along the East Coast and Mid-Atlantic.
Sitting in a Blackhawk Helicopter
I am the Marketing Manager for Virginia State Parks and was asked by Fort A.P. Hill to come to their Earth Day celebration on Thursday, April 22 to share with school groups and military families some of the great opportunities awaiting them at our parks. I was joined by Kim Boshela from Caledon Natural Area who brought a variety of touch table items including a black bear pelt which the children loved, but a few dogs didn't appreciate it. She also brought some hands on track stamps and other fun stuff. The staff at Fort A.P. Hill had a great day planned for the students as they planted 600 trees and visited 15 exhibits from many diverse agencies participating in the event. There was military equipment on display for students and teachers alike to check out.
The meaning of Earth Day continues to grow as we talk about “Going Green”, global warming and making a difference for future generations. Please pitch in by recycling, biking or walking instead of driving if you can, or getting out to one of our State Parks and volunteer your time to plant trees, pick up trash, or so many other important things to help our environment.
Wilderness Road State Park is about as far as you can go in Virginia without leaving the State. But I can tell you it is well worth the ride, with a reproduction of Martin's Station, a supply fort for many before heading out West into hostile territory. Period actors work their crafts in front of you just as they would have in the 1700's. Park Manager Jon Tustin and his staff have worked very hard to now offer a first rate facility for weddings and receptions. Karlan Mansion built in the 1870's has been restored to some of its' luster of yesteryear. The grounds outside this historic building is a great place for a wedding ceremony with the old Oak trees along the front lawn. Inside there is plenty of room for a nice reception with breathtaking mountain views from the many windows. Best of all, Virginia State Parks remain an affordable family destination.
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. In a career that has spanned 24 years since I started with Virginia State Parks, I have worked with a lot of great people. One of the nicest people you could ever encounter is a friend of mine named Geoff Hall at Hungry Mother State Park. I hired Geoff as a seasonal employee back in the 1980's. I left the park and transferred to Mason Neck State Park, while Geoff left the park altogether to pursue other goals in life. About 20 years later at an Employee's Fishing Tournament at Kiptopeke State Park, one of our employees looked at me and said, "you don't remember me do you?" Well the name I may had temporally forgot, but that kind voice and smile were unmistakable. Geoff had come back to Hungry Mother and was now a Park Ranger where it all started for him. I manage our customer service program and I can tell you he gets some of the nicest comments from our visitors. I'm talking the above and beyond kind of acts of kindness that just reinforces what I already knew about my old friend. You are one class act Geoff Hall with a big heart to help your fellow man. Next time you are at Hungry Mother State Park in Marion, VA, stop in and see Geoff and tell Tom sent you.
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!
I just went to check out the "Eagle Cam" that is set up at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens on an active nest. This is really cool and several school groups were checking it out for education. What a great idea. Speaking of great ideas, Virginia State Parks are one of the best interactive classrooms you can go to. Our parks have great environmental educators on site ready to take classes out to learn, or perform interpretive programs for visitors. There are several parks along the Bay that have active Bald Eagle nests and large populations to view. While working at Mason Neck I had the luck of doing an Eagle count from a blind as they came off their roost for the night. In about an hours time, I counted 35 Bald Eagles. Wow, what a treat for a bird lover. Mason Neck has a great guided canoe trip up Kane's Creek during parts of the year that will give you a great chance to see this majestic bird up close, along with other wildlife.
I just read a story that in the toughest of times, Americans are volunteering at a record rate. Hearing this makes me very proud to be an American. There is something in us that wants to help those less fortunate or just to pitch in and make our community a better place to live in. I myself give a lot of time to the Boy Scouts and community service projects. Virginia State Parks has a great volunteer program and if you wish, you can work in some of the most beautiful places in the State. Although most volunteers don't do it for rewards, the park system does have great benefits that range from parking passes to a weeks stay in one of their lovely cabins. So now that the weather is getting nice, why don't you think about getting out of the house and going down to your nearest State Park and become a volunteer. Go ahead make a difference, it will feel GOOD!
I started working for Virginia State Parks in 1986 and in a long career have had the chance to get up close with wildlife and working on enhancing it. I can't even begin to count how many blue bird boxes, wood duck boxes, squirrel boxes, bat boxes and other artificial homes I build in the Park maintenance buildings and then placed into the wild. At York River State Park we had a great bluebird program in which we would go check the boxes and count the young chics. At other parks I helped stock fish, including trout into a river out of a transport truck. In numerous lakes at our parks I participated in recycling Christmas trees as fish structure. There have been times I rescued wildlife, like a red-tailed hawk hit by a car that a took to the vet. There was one time I even captured a baby Emu running down the road and returned it to a neighbor that was raising it. I have also gotten the chance to work with many reptiles in interpretive programs. I also got to work on controlled deer hunts to help over an overpopulated herd. I guess my Recreation and Wildlife Management Degree has come in handy through the years.
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.
I use my vast knowledge of Virginia State Parks that I acquired since I started in 1986, to take Troop 340 out for fun and to learn about the great outdoors. I have taken the boys to several parks, but no trip compared to last May at Douthat State Park. Things started off good with a great campfire breakfast on Saturday morning, followed by a visit to the park's annual car show. Next came some fishing time so they could get their fishing merit badge, but it turned out I was the only one to catch fish. We then took a great hike up the mountain to Blue Suck Falls. The hike up there was beautiful and it helped get some of that energy out of the boys. It was at the top that the memorable moments of the trip began. One of the boys twisted his ankle and we had to carry him the whole way down, with looming thunderstorms developing rapidly. Upon return to campsite the skies opened up and some of the heaviest rain I ever saw fell in buckets for hours. Dinner on the fire was canceled and we fed the boys in shifts under a dining fly on a camp stove. In the middle of this incredible storm, one of the boys ran smack dab into a tree nearly knocking him out. Also, one of the tents became saturated with all the gear in them. The 3 boys from that tent ended up sleeping in one of the vehicles that night. It was nice to get home to my own bed and dry clothes, but it is wonderful trips like this that none of us will ever forget. If you have a Boy Scout or Girl Scout Troop, I strongly suggest utilizing a State Park for your next outing. They are affordable, safe and FUN!
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.
I just came from a meeting with a representative from Virginia Tourism that teaches customer service to all kinds of businesses and government agencies. During her travels she stays in a vast variety of lodging and visits so many different places. So when she said, "...in all my travels I have never found any business that cares more about their customers than Virginia State Parks...", that meant a lot. Having worked for Virginia State Parks for nearly 24 years, I can tell you the level of dedication of our employees is second to none. Our staff is on a mission to make special memories for each and every person that visits a State Park. I may be a little bias in my opinion, so it was nice to hear it from one of the experts. I hope you will give us a chance to show you why we were voted, The Best Managed State Park System in the Nation. Call 1-800-933-PARK to make a reservation in a deluxe cabin or campsite.
I recently visited Occonneechee State Park in Clarksville, VA and was "wowed" at the changes that have taken place since I last visited. The park has a beautiful new equestrian campground that includes some nice stables. From the campground riders can go on an enjoyable ride that takes them out to the point of a peninsula on the lake.
If you haven't seen the new cabins at the park, you are in for a treat. They are spectacular with plenty of water views as you rock on the front porch. The park also made several improvements to their amphitheater and is a great place to watch the Jazz Festival, interpretive programs, or even get married with the lake as a backdrop. The staff out there is great, led by WVU alumni Scott Shanklin. Go give Occoneechee a try, whether for an extended vacation or for their annual Native American Festival in May. When you see Scott tell him Tom sent you and you want a Welcome Kit from him. Enjoy your visit!
If you haven't seen the new cabins at the park, you are in for a treat. They are spectacular with plenty of water views as you rock on the front porch. The park also made several improvements to their amphitheater and is a great place to watch the Jazz Festival, interpretive programs, or even get married with the lake as a backdrop. The staff out there is great, led by WVU alumni Scott Shanklin. Go give Occoneechee a try, whether for an extended vacation or for their annual Native American Festival in May. When you see Scott tell him Tom sent you and you want a Welcome Kit from him. Enjoy your visit!
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!
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!
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!
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!
As Marketing Manager for Virginia State Parks, I get to go to a lot of shows during the winter months. My team and I worked Camping and RV Shows, Healthy Lifestyle Shows and Bridal Shows. We met so many great people on the road. Some were old friends that came up to us and said, "...we love the Virginia State Parks and use them all the time." Others were new to the area or never took the time to look us up so we shared some or the reasons why we were voted, "America's Best Managed State Park System." And then there were a few that tried us about 20 years ago and thought we never improved anything in all these years, and thus, we had to let them know over $200 million in improvements have gone into our parks in the past 2 decades. No matter what the circumstance, my job is easy because I have one of the easiest things to sell in life, memories at a Virginia State Park. Why don't you make plans today for your next memories by calling 1-800-933-PARK and plan a vacation in our cabins, campsites or just plan a series of day trips to get out and breath some good fresh air.
Powered by Compendium Blogware