Earth Day 2024, we took our parents on a canoe trip to the Allegheny Highlands of Virginia at Lake Moomaw. My mom had just recovered from an acute cardiac condition known as takotsubo cardiomyopathy. 2 months later she was out paddling with us…we are more than grateful for this time together. I hope you guys enjoy it.
When school lets out, summer has officially begun! For many families, this means more trips to the beach! The ocean is a magical and fun place for all ages and attracts thousands of visitors each year. After countless trips to the beaches of the east coast, I’ve become more attuned to the safety precautions that everyone should be aware of prior to going to the beach, especially with their children. It is estimated that over 4000 people drown each year in the United States. It is estimated that 100 people drown each year due to rip currents along the beaches of the United States. Here are some of the things I’ve learned over the years and I hope they are helpful to anyone beach tripping on the east coast.
CONDITIONS AND TIME OF YEAR
Simply being aware of the time of year and the weather conditions can greatly improve safety. Hurricane season on the east coast runs from June 1 – November 30. During this time, it is important to pay attention to weather updates, as systems and storms can bring significant swells to your beach. if you are considering a water outing and wish to avoid waves altogether, you could always find beaches or water ways that do not face the ocean. (Ex. bays, rivers). In these areas, you could have almost wave-less conditions. Perfect for children to play and explore.
BEACH FLAGS
**If you venture to the beach, you should KNOW the beach flags and what they mean.**
RIP CURRENTS
“Rip currents are powerful, narrow channels of fast-moving water that are prevalent along the East, Gulf, and West coasts of the U.S., as well as along the shores of the Great Lakes.” – National Ocean Service
Unless you know what you are looking for, rip currents are almost invisible.
It is estimated that approximately 100 people are killed each year in the United States by rip currents. So if you’re heading to the beach, just take the next few minutes to learn about them, to protect yourself and your family. The video below provides a great summary of rip currents are.
BEACH SAFETY TIPS
1. Communication and Supervision: For little toddlers and kids that have not yet learn to swim, it is critical that they are supervised closely by an adult. When multiple adults are present, it is easy to assume that the kids are being watched by someone. Practice closed loop communication and assign an adult to a child. You can switch on and off as needed.
2. Life Jackets/Personal Floatation Devices (PFDs): We don’t go near the water without them. Make sure that the life jacket is the appropriate size for the child. Also, you should also see if the life jacket works properly. Ideally, the jacket should keep the child afloat with their face upward, out of the water. Some jackets, are not balanced well, and could dangerously leave the child facing downward. Test it out prior to use.
3. Bring the water to them:
For my toddlers that are not yet ocean worthy, I’ll bring the water to them. Using a simple tarp, you can dig a shallow pool in the sand and fill it with ocean water.
4. Staying comfortable and hydrated
When the body is comfortable, hydrated and fed, the brain is perfused, and this allows you to think clearly and stay alert. Hydration is important, especially when you are active, sweating and losing a lot of water from the heat. It can be particularly difficult to keep kids hydrated, especially when they are having so much fun. I find that low sugar, flavored drinks can keep them drinking without the need for encouragement. Popsicles are also a good way to keep them hydrated.
A shady base camp on a hot summer day is invaluable. Not only will it keep occupants cooled, but it will also provide shade for your food, drinks and equipment. Over the years we’ve tried all different forms of shelters. From beach umbrellas to cabanas, but so far my favorite has to be the Neso tents for shade. They provide an ample area and are pretty sturdy. Another popular brand is the Shibumi beach shades which have taken all beaches by storm. The Neso can run around $150 and the Shibumis are around $250. Totally worth it, if you’re a frequent beach goer.
SUMMARY
The beach is one of my favorite places in the world. It is a great way to connect with nature, unwind and engage in countless, fun activities. I hope this helps you to plan your next beach trip, so it can be a safe and enjoyable time for everyone.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Day 1: Sunny, 63F high, low 44F
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 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.
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)
Things to bring:
*Remember to be safe. Stay healthy everyone!
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.
Everyone stay safe, be healthy and happy spring.
WAY NORTH 