First Landing State ParkThis was the first stop on my tour of the state and wildlife parks. Mind you after this trip I realized it will take me a while to go threw the local parks. There are several trails to wander about.
The trail we take today is from the 64th st entranceto the boat dock or the Narrows.. This is part of the 6mi Cape Henry Trail. For a map so you can better see look here
FLSP Map.
Note: This is not a trail where you should take kids under 7 unless they like to walk, you like to carry them or you have the Uber ATV of strollers.
So here we go..
Set out of the house around 10am and got to the park 1030ish. Went to the 64th st entrance to the park and let the needed parties know I was going in. DH threaten to have me chipped with GPS if I did not set my Google maps to auto update my location. Once I was on the trail I realized two things, 1. it had been along time since my last vist and 2. there had been changes to the area just from the impact of the weather.
Trees had fallen over and where being held up by the sheer mass of the other trees. The water was still that gross murky black that it had been from the time the first settlers arrived to now. It was fall the first time I came here and most of the woods had died out. Now being Spring/Summer the area was green with beauty which depending on where you where sta
nd can be a bit unsettling.
When you have memories of the land being dry and baren the streams don't seem to come so close to the trails but once they green up you realize just how close the edge really is. Moving along the trail the lake peaks threw the trees and eventual you get to various areas where you can see it as a whole. This is the view from my favorite spot on the lake by bench. The bench sits so high up that my legs dangle like a little kids in a grown up chair.
As you move threw the woods sometimes you find things that make you wonder what folks where doing here or what may have happened. It struck me odd to see this with the rule of the park being "Take only Pictures Leave Only Footprints" Moving along you come to a area where the Ospray sometimes nest and the view is awe inspiring tho a bit creepy.
The lake that you first encounter when you enter runs all the way to the bay. Of course the whole are is not the park. Across the water are homes of more well to do per say. If you are wondering how well to do this should give you a idea.
Growing up we have all heard that moss gross on the north side of the tree. I am here to confirm it is a bold face lie. Or at least it is here. Just as you get to the cool Helo there you begin to see traces of moss on one side of the trees. Dont be fooled because as you travel threw what I call the "Moss Jungle" you will see where it has taken over.
This is the section of the trail my kids stopped and looked at me like I had lost my mind. ( they where 7 and 8 at the time) I assured them it was ok and we moved along. what made it so funny is one son wanted to touch the moss and I said fine. Now mind you I had impressed upon them the don't disturb nature rule. My 7yr old reachs up to touch it and a peice falls to the ground. The look on his face and the insuing reaction trying to get it back in the tree where Mastercard worthy.
To say the least I laughed the whole way thru this area untill of course I decided to head off the main trail.. Yeah about that... Wandering off the main trail is not exactly wise when you have a sense heading of say of 0. Which sad to say is what mine is close to. I did have enough sense ( and hearing) to know what side the water was on and where the road was but not much more.
Even with that I had a blast following it untill I got to the part where it ran along an embankment with a 5ft drop, which is not so bad considering I am 5'3. The problem was all the fallen trees and branches I would have hit if I had slipped. But on ward I go... The problem was not going up the trail it was comming back.
I got part way back up the trail when I relized that there was another one that broke of the one I was on and I had not seen in on the way in. Which way to go Which way to go . Fortune for me I am a extremly visual person and I was able to pick the right path but as I stood there I had to laugh at a news story about a lost but local family in First landing.
Getting back on the trail you keep going untill you come to a parking area for the small beach that is located there. Futher up you find another trail and a set of stairs that lead you to what is called the Narrows. If you keep going you finally come to the boat ramp.
Making it to the end of this portion of the trail I decided to walk back via the road as to impead any erges to wander off on a trail. Of course half way back what do I find but the Osprey /Long run trails. (never been on that one) temped to take a detour my need for the port a potty proved to be far greater. so that trail will have to wait till next time.
You can check out the rest of the pictures in the slide show up top.
Lesson Learned
- Spray OFF (bug repellent) all over your exposed skin not in spots.seems they can find the spots you missed.
- Locks are a wonderful thing. The can be used like the hair fans used in Africa to keep the mosques off your face. ( like in Coming to America or Charlies Angels)
- Never joke about the family that got lost in First landing and had to be rescued by helicopter. It could happen (kinda)
- Go Potty at both ends of the trail
- Listen to Ted aka teddy bear when he says take a walking stick to check the bushes before you step.
nd can be a bit unsettling.
As you move threw the woods sometimes you find things that make you wonder what folks where doing here or what may have happened. It struck me odd to see this with the rule of the park being "Take only Pictures Leave Only Footprints" Moving along you come to a area where the Ospray sometimes nest and the view is awe inspiring tho a bit creepy.
Growing up we have all heard that moss gross on the north side of the tree. I am here to confirm it is a bold face lie. Or at least it is here. Just as you get to the cool Helo there you begin to see traces of moss on one side of the trees. Dont be fooled because as you travel threw what I call the "Moss Jungle" you will see where it has taken over.
Even with that I had a blast following it untill I got to the part where it ran along an embankment with a 5ft drop, which is not so bad considering I am 5'3. The problem was all the fallen trees and branches I would have hit if I had slipped. But on ward I go... The problem was not going up the trail it was comming back.
Today was one of the most relaxing days I have had in a very long time. It all started as I posted earlier with me stopping at Starbucks and sitting still long enough to realize I had not actually relaxed and just let go in a very long time. The wave of relief that fell from me from just sitting down for a few minutes was unbelievable.
So I played hooky from my constant rush and headed out to Back Bay. Well it helps if you first remember what road you have to turn down them of course that good old green moo la it real handy. Who knew you had to pay to get in during tourist season. ( Duh)
On the way back I make a pit stop at the Little Island Beach/Park for an hour and a half. Then off to Back Bay Wildlife Refuge. If you want to read about those to then head over to my story blog and check it out. lol it will be to long to post here anyway.
Went for a walk and then got adopted by a duckling who would not stop following me. DH had to chase him off so he would not follow me across the street. I laughed so hard and trying to out run a duck and then watch him chase it off and run from it did not make it any better. Needless to say we had to find a different way home.
