Winter hike at Lake Anna State Park – President’s Day.

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Recommend taking either 64 or 95 as far as you can. The backroads are a bit winding.

2/19/2024: President’s Day 2024, my brother and I took this opportunity to take my two oldest kids to a new state park for them to explore: Lake Anna State Park in Spotsylvania, County. It was a very mild winter day with a high of 55F and full sun, we made the journey up northwest approximately 1.15 hours drive north of Richmond, Virginia. There are numerous ways to get there, but I think the easiest would be through 64 west. Some of the alternate routes may suggest the back roads however they can be very twisting and not very relaxing.

Map of Lake Anna State Park

We were one of the first ones to arrive and the kids were excited as soon as we reached the visitors center. Their excitement peaked when we saw the sparkling, diamond reflection of the 13,000 acre lake. The park boasts more than 15 miles of trails. Upon arrival, the kids took the opportunity to play on the playground and empty beach. In the heart of winter, I always find the sight of an empty beach to be calming and reassuring. We decided to take on the short 1.4 mile Railroad Ford Trail which took us in a loop at one of the parks projections. It is a popular hike for children, with bridges, ponds, streams and little elevation climb.

Railroad Ford Trail
Winter Hike in Lake Anna State Park
Observing a dark colored pond in Lake Anna State park

As we approached the end of the trail, we gathered some kindling to brew some hot chocolate for the kids at one of the grills at the picnic station. I used the Eagle 1.5L Camping Kettle made in Norway, this little thing is fantastic.The kids left with smiles on their faces and all of the energy well spent. Overall, a success of a day. Happy President’s Day everyone. Please be safe and healthy out there. (Spring is almost here, start thinking of trees/flowers/plants that you wish to plant).

Eagle 1.5 L Camping Kettle from Norway is used to heat up hot cocoa
Hot cocoa on a winter day’s hike in Lake Anna State Park

There are 42 state parks in Virginia. We’ve been to 9 of them. We’re getting there! All photos were taken on a Sony a6700.

Emberlit Stove Review – After 9 years

John2 Comments

When you spend enough time outdoors; camping, hiking or just exploring – you need a reliable means to cook food, boil water, or simply have a small fire. Of course, there are a plethora of ways to get this done – portable burners, alcohol stoves, stick stoves…but my favorite, is still the Emberlit Stove that I purchased over 9 years ago.

My son and I recently found it amongst our old camping gear and decided to brew some hot tea with it. While dusting off the old soot, I was reminded at how convenient and easy this stove is to put together. We loaded it with some small sticks, struck a match and in moments we were getting a boil on in the kettle. He loved it.

I took a moment to reflect upon where this little stove has been: On many canoe trips throughout Ontario, the blue ridge mountains of Virginia and even the highlands in West Virginia. This little thing has never let me down. On those cold nights under the northern lights, a warm tea boosted our spirits and helped us get a good nights rest. I think of the rainy days in Algonquin Park, when all is soaked and wet, but we found enough dry sticks to make a small fire in the stove and rekindle our spirits from the damp. Through thick and thin, this thing has been an absolute tank for us. If you’re thinking about it, just get one.

Pros:

  • requires small amount of wood to keep burning
  • reliable and sturdy
  • simple assembly
  • packs away with a small profile (comes with a case now)
  • Comes with cross bars which can add further stability when cooking

Cons:

  • can be messy with the soot (all stick stoves have this problem)
  • needs close attention while cooking to continue adding fuel (small sticks)
  • Can’t use in areas where open fire prohibited

Specs:

  • 304 Stainless Steel
  • ~ 11.3 oz/ 320g
  • 5.5″ x 5.5″ x 6″
  • Comes with Crossbars and Case
  • Sells for approximately $37.00
Little Otterslide morning: cooking with the emberlit stove to make breakfast in Ontario, Canada.
Lake Moomaw, Virginia: The emberlit stove has a stable platform for cooking.
In the winter time in the Virginia mountains, I carry this stove around to brew tea.
The emberlit stove also works well with all types of cooking pots. It has a sturdy cooking surface.

Restoring a chalkboard

John2 Comments

There are 2 types of people in the academic world: a white/dry erase board person or a chalkboard person. After high school, I continued my education for 13 more years. During these 4 years of medical school, 3 years of internal medicine and 3 years of ophthalmology, I can emphatically say, that I am a chalkboard person.

3 x 5’ old classroom chalkboard I found on Facebook marketplace for $35

Are there pros to a dry erase board? Absolutely. No chalk dust, no messy brushes, no need to go outside and dust the brushes off. Personally, I just never liked the idea of throwing away marker after marker into the trash bin once they were depleted. I didn’t care much for the smells either. For me, the chalkboard was more traditional, more fun, and I guess I grew up in the era of chalkboards.

When it comes to explaining things to my kids, I am definitely a visual teacher. When it comes to explaining concepts, nothing beats having it displayed in stark contrast, in black and white on a clean chalkboard. Whenever I need to explain a concept, with the chalkboard, I can show all 3 kids at once.

French cleat to hang it flat on the wall

I searched Facebook marketplace for quite some time to find a board with the proper dimensions. My journey took me eventually to Mechanicsville, Virginia in the woods, where a very nice lady, sold me, an old classroom chalkboard that measured 3 x 5 ft. It was old, but perfect for our needs. I paid $35 dollars for it.

French cleat worked great

Taking it home, we cleaned it, sanded it, and applied several coats of Danish oil to bring new life to it. Using a metal French cleat system, it was mounted to our wall and ready for action.

Long live chalkboards

This chalk is also awesome: Hagoromo chalk from Japan.

Happy new year everyone! Wishing everyone good health and good luck

Happy New Year 2024

John6 Comments

As 2023 comes to a close, I reflect on the amount of time I got to spend outside with my kids as a marker of a successful and joyful year. I am grateful that we were able to get outside as much as we did. We marveled at many new sights, got to experience many sunrises and sunsets and got our workshop up and running. I’m wishing to spend even more of my time outdoors in 2024, exploring with my kids. Wishing everyone out there, a safe, happy, healthy and epic new year. Here’s to 2024!

We learned new lessons
We worked on canoes
Sometimes we didn’t have to go far, to find new adventures. (Forest Hill Park, Richmond)
The first spring hike is always invigorating.
Explored Washington D.C.
We saw many sunsets
We caught some waves
We got to surf Hurricane Franklin
Day trips
Virginia War Memorial
More Day Trips to the museum
Explored new state Parks (Twin Lakes State Park)
Got to the High Bridge Trail (High Bridge Trail State Park)
Looking forward to 2024.

High Bridge Trail State Park

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11/5/2023: On an unseasonably warm autumn day, with a high of 69F, we continued our exploration of the state parks southwest of Richmond, about an hour’s drive to High Bridge Trail State Park. Located near Farmville, Virginia.

The park is named after it’s centerpiece, the High Bridge. Spanning over 2400 feet long and 125 feet above the Appomattox River it is the longest recreational bridge in Virginia and one of the longest in the United States. It is marked as a Virginia Historic Landmark and on the National Register of Historic Places. The entire trail is 31 miles long and it can be enjoyed on foot, bike, or even horseback. The trail was actually once a rail bed and as such it is very wide, level and flat overall – ideal for little munchkins on their bikes/balance bikes or even strollers.

We parked slightly west of the bridge at the River Road/Farmville, Cumberland County parking lot. From here, the High Bridge was a short 0.9mile bike ride. There are also restroom facilities at this location as well.

West of the High Bridge. We parked at the River road entrance, a short 0.9 mile bike ride to the bridge.
The trail was a former rail bed. It is wide, flat and easy to travel on.

It looked like we were about a couple weeks away from peak foliage but the sights were still fantastic. The sun was out, and the kids were ready to pedal. They particularly enjoyed the view atop of the bridge, looking into miles of forest, and the meandering appomattox river below. I’d like to one day do the trail starting from Farmville. Hoping everyone had a great thanksgiving, and here’s to a happy and healthy, holiday season.

Appomattox River
Enjoying the views at the top.

Photos taken with Sony a6700 (tamron 17-28mm lens)

Visit the High Bridge Trail State Park Website here: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/high-bridge-trail