I hope everyone had an amazing summer. We closed the season off with a paddle around Swift Creek Lake in Pocahontas State Park. This particular location is one of our favorite spots to paddle with the kids. The water is shallow, there is plenty of wildlife and it is very quiet and peaceful. This is where they learned how to paddle and this is where my son used his homemade canoe paddle for the first time. Thanks for everything summer 2024 you’ve been a great one. Wishing everyone a safe, healthy and happy fall. Load up on your vitamin D before winter!
Eager to use their homemade canoe paddleHere we goLooking for water lily bloomsSwift Creek LakeChillin in the shade after the paddle
This lake is also where we tested my son’s canoe paddle for the first time many years ago.
As summer comes to a close, we head out to the North End of Virginia Beach to spend an easy weekend. This is my preferred beach spot away from the busier boardwalk section of Virginia Beach. There’s not much else up north, other than residential housing and then First Landing State Park at the very northern tip. The weather was very pleasant and we made a lot of good memories. It’s been a hot summer but a grand one nonetheless. I hope everyone is soaking up the vitamin D for as long as we can. It also sounds like the rates of covid are also back up, so stay healthy, be safe and have fun.
A chill weekend get away to the North End of Virginia beach. Filmed on Sony a6700
On the last week of Spring we head to our annual refuge on the barrier islands of North Carolina known as the Outerbanks. This time, we stayed in the town of Nagshead, and got to enjoy a week of perfect weather, upper 70s F with sunshine. I always wondered what was so particularly rejuvenating about going to the beach and the ocean. Is it the sight of water? Is it the cadence of the waves crashing? The tactile and sensory stimulation from walking on the sand and into the cold water? It turns out it could be all of those things. A friend of mine recently recommended a book called “Blue Mind” written by marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols. In this book he explores “… the Surprising Science That Shows How Being Near, In, On, or Under Water Can Make You Happier, Healthier, More Connected, and Better at What You Do”. It’s a pretty interesting read. I hope everyone stays cool out there, stay hydrated, get your rest and have fun.
Our toddler enjoying the surf at sunrisePlaying in a tidal poolThe beach at NagsheadYellow flag (indicates medium hazard, light surf and or currents). The Outerbanks is known for its strong surf and riptides, so always keep an eye out for your kids! Watching the surf
In April we went to Westmoreland State Park, in the Norther Neck of Virginia to look for shark teeth. This is a short video of our trip! Have a safe and relaxing memorial day weekend everyone.
Earth Day Weekend 2024 – I’ve had my eyes set on this weekend for months now. I wanted to take my two oldest kids (ages 4 and 6) and my parents backcountry canoe tripping in Virginia and this was the perfect time of year to do so. The mosquitoes and biting flies would not be out yet and the day temperatures would be comfortable.
While I dusted off my old canoe camping gear and sorting through my wannigan (camp kitchen box), I couldn’t bring myself to believe that it had been 7 years since my last canoe camping trip! (Philpott Lake). It appears I entered a time warp when my oldest son was born. I initially started this blog to document canoe trips – these trips were the fuel for all of it – and I was so glad to get back to it. I was lighting up with excitement as I came across old gear that I was bringing back out to show my son. We loaded our royalex canoes, a Nova Craft Prospector and an Old Town Camper.
The crew before departureresting halfway on a small islandpaddling out to greenwood point
We packed everything on a Friday, so we were ready to roll by Saturday morning. Trip members: mom, dad, son, daughter and my oldest brother. We were an eager and hearty crew. Our destination? Lake Moomaw in Bath County, Virginia. This would be my 4th time canoe tripping here and I couldn’t think of a better place to introduce someone to the splendor of canoe tripping than this magnificent lake.
BELOW ARE LINKS TO MY THREE PREVIOUS CANOE TRIPS TO LAKE MOOMAW, BATH COUNTY VIRGINIA.
4/2014 First time to Lake Moomaw
6/2015 – Second trip to Lake Moomaw
11/2015: Third trip to Lake Moomaw
Day 1: Sunny, 63F high, low 44F
Loading up the canoes on Lake Moomaw. In Bath county, Virginia.
We started our Saturday morning by meeting up at a diner for breakfast before hitting the road. Our canoe tripping tradition. It was a beautiful day and the drive through bath county was spectacular. My brother and I were a little weary from packing and prepping the past couple days, but the sight of the empty lake rekindled our souls. We loaded everything up into the canoes, and set out against some mild wind towards Greenwood point. We got to our campsite at approximately 4:00pm so we did have some time to set up our campsite before dark. Camp chores: setting up tents, hanging clothes lines, gathering firewood, surveying the area, digging a camp potty and prepping dinner. We ate, chilled and breathed easy, we were finally there.
Day 2: Cloudy, High 52F, low 32-38F
We took our second day pretty easy, we fished the waters, ran the kids through some paddling lessons, and hiked and explored the forest. The campsite is beautiful, as it is surrounded by white pine, leaving a very clean looking campsite. The forest was beautiful with moss carpeting the forest floor and rays of sunshine cutting through the trunks of the trees. We spent time exploring Greenwood Pt and we also did some watercolor painting and made some pine needle tea. The night brought on some wicked cold.
Day 3: Earth Day High 60F
Our last day there was beautiful. It was Earth Day. Thank you mother earth for providing us with such a beautiful lake and land to explore and enjoy. I was so glad that this trip actually happened. With everyone’s hectic schedules and availabilities, somehow the stars aligned for us all to go. It was beautiful and reminded me why I started this blog in the first place. Happy Earth Day Everyone!
Virginia’s 40th state park is certainly a special one. It is the first one dedicated to all of the tributes of the First Nations people (Native Americans) of Virginia. The park spans a beautiful 645 acres and overlooks the mighty York River, in Gloucester County, Virginia. The heart of the park, is an interpretive area which centers around a timeline and an open-air structure that resembles a longhouse. The time-line follows the history of the first humans and first nations tribes of Virginia. A visit through the park will quickly reveal why it is so aptly named “Machicomoco”, (A special meeting place in Algonquian).
The interpretive area, overlooks the mighty York River. In the background is the Timberneck house.
The park provides a bounty of outdoor experiences. It is a wonderful place to canoe, kayak or paddleboard. Bike trails and hiking trails are also laid out very neatly. There are nearly 200 bird species in the area to view and enjoy.
The Timberneck house, currently undergoing it’s restoration.A windy, chilly spring day. The kids were too excited to be cold.The York River
During spring break, we spent a week in Gloucester County and made a day trip to visit this newer Virginia State Park. We spent most of our time at the interpretive area and then followed the interpretive trail to the water. Along the way, there is the Timberneck house that is currently undergoing restoration. It sounds like the goals for the restoration will be to provide lodging options for visitors, and a place to host events and workshops to get people involved with hands-on archaeology and preservation.
My visit to this state park was especially meaningful and serendipitous. I have been reading a fascinating book called “Braiding Sweetgrass” written by Potawatomi professor Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer. She also serves as the director of the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. (SUNY-ESF). The book is a series of short stories as she explores the reciprocal relationships between humans, trees and plants. I am particularly interested in her view as she bridges the connection between the spiritual world of First Nations people and the scientific world. She bridges this connection with beautiful stories that meld traditions, spirit and assesses them from a scientific standpoint. A true joy to read and would recommend to anyone who spends anytime outside.
We took our time walking through the interpretive trail, looking at native american symbology, looking at the wildlife, and picking wildflowers. The wind in the open field made for a chilly spring day, but the kids were excited to march on. This would be a wonderful place to put in the ol canoe and possibly get closer to those great egrets. If you’re looking for a place to meet with a friend, family member or just a place to think…..this is a special place.
Photos taken with Sony a6700 (tamron 28-75mm lens)
I’ve spent more time slowly down this Spring and catching up on independent films and documentaries. I came across this gem from The Guardian featuring a man, who lived in Yellowstone National Park, working as the park’s winterkeeper. The story is told beautifully and the videography makes it a joy for the eyes to watch. I hope you all enjoy. Its about 12 minutes long.
“Steven Fuller is a winter caretaker who has lived at Yellowstone national park for the past 50 years. As the cold weather approaches and the seasonal transformation begins, he hunkers down in his remote mountain cabin. But Fuller and Yellowstone face an uncertain future, with the climate crisis threatening to forever change one of North America’s last great wildernesses.” – The Guardian
After watching the documentary, I reflected on my own personal experience traveling to America’s first national park in 2018. Yellowstone is really a magical place. I spent only 1 week there but I feel like this already magical place would be even further transformed each season. I hope to go back once my kids are older. Below are some of my favorite shots from Yellowstone National Park in 2018.
What kid under the age of 99 wouldn’t like the chance to look for shark teeth/fossils and gems? Enough said. We were all eagerly anticipating our chance to visit our 10th Virginia State Park. Westmoreland State Park in Montross, Virginia of the Northern Neck region of Virginia. The park is most known for its beaches where visitors have a chance to dig and sift for shark teeth. Legend has it that every 2 years or so, a visitor will find even a megalodon tooth! Megalodon (otodus megalodon) is an exctinct species of giant mackeral shark that live 23 to 3.6 million years ago. The average length of a megalodon was estimated at 33.5 ft! This thing would’ve snacked on Great White Sharks.
Inside the visitor center, there are amazing shark teeth specimens on display.
The kids packed up their rock digging kits, shovels, sifters and we head out to the Norther Neck of Virginia. On April 1, 2024, it was a partly overcast day with a high of 65, the wind at the beach made it feel colder though. After parking at the visitor center, the kids made the short 0.7 mile hike to fossil beach. It is a gentle decline with labels for tree identification. The trail is lined with evergreens, oaks, beech, gum and much much more.
The end of the trail opens to a beautiful view of the mighty Potomac River at the bottom of the Horsehead cliffs. It is incredible to think that embedded in cliffs are fossils and remains of all sorts of sea animals dating back millions of years ago. Erosion over time, has revealed them to us over time. Most recently an old Baleen Whale was excavated from the cliff.
The kids got immediately to work, digging and sifting. They loved their gigantic sandbox. Their excitement rose as other people around us shared their shark teeth discoveries. The wind was strong and the water was cold on this early spring day, but they persisted in the frenzy of their excitement. After finding several interesting shells and rocks, we found a tiny shark tooth through the sieve. We searched for about an hour longer but no additional shark teeth. Regardless, they were all very satisfied. After a short trip to the discovery center and the playground we all made our way back home.
the bluffs in the backgroundthe water was COLDthe fossil expedition teamiridescent shellThe one shark tooth we found!! It is absolutely tiny, but it is no doubt a shark tooth with a serrated edge.
Overall, the trip to Westmoreland State Park was fun, exciting and successful. A trip to fossil beach is a chance for kids and adults to dig, play and have their chance at discovering the next megalodon tooth. An unforgettable experience any budding paleontologist out there…..pretty much every kid.
Photos taken with Sony a6700 (tamron 28-75mm lens)
Things to bring:
toy shovels (I think real shovels are not allowed)
buckets
sieves
water bottles/snacks
sunscreen
beach umbrella or tent in the summer
consider waders when it’s colder
make sure you use the restroom at the visitor center prior to heading to fossil beach.
Trail map for westmoreland state park. The visitor’s center to fossil beach is about 0.7 miles.
I have really enjoyed shooting with the Sony A6700. It is truly amazing to me how far we have come in video camera technology. There is so much packaged into this small camera. In the world of technology gear and gadgets, it is easy for me to get lost in the jargon, the specs and the hype. At the end of the day, I must remind myself that the camera is designed to capture memories and moments and most importantly, to tell a story.
I shot this video back in the fall time when I took the kids out to Maymont Park on a beautiful fall day to see the animals. All of them were out! Even the elusive bobcat that I had never seen before. The kids very much enjoyed the adventure.
(All of the footage was shot with a Sony a6700 and a Tamron 28-75mm)
Happy Spring everyone! Stay safe and good health to all.
WAY NORTH 