Virginia State Parks First Day Hike 2015

"2015 tiptoed in very quietly while we slept. I awoke early this morning and sat on the edge of Carrington's bed. He whispered, "Will you snuggle with me?" I did. I stole every imaginary sugar-cake that I could find. When my other two rise in their own time, we are heading out into the state park for our first day hike. It is a very happy new year, indeed." -January 1, 2015

First Day Hike is a national effort to get people out and into America's State Parks on the first day of each new year. Virginia State Parks had 36 state parks participating in First Day Hike 2015. What a fantastic way to christen the new year-by enjoying the peace and solitude and natural beauty that is within our state parks. Staunton River State Park held an organized hike at 8:30 am. We didn't quite make it to the organized hike. We slept in a bit, then headed out in our own time. We began with cool temperatures, but as we started moving and the sun shone overhead, we soon warmed up and shed our coats. 

The sun glistened on the shimmering water. We walked along a hiking path that emptied us at the Buggs Island overlook. This overlook is one of Courtland's very favorite peaceful places. She had specifically asked that we hike this trail today so that she could enjoy the beautiful view.

We continued walking along the trails, stopping to explore holes in trees and to study the water's edge and to enjoy the views and intermittent silliness. 

Of all the critters we observe in the woods, giggling children are my favorites.

I love seeing my children experience the joy and wonder of nature.

We crossed from one trail to another, then decided to take advantage of this opportunity to nab a couple of geocache finds. We found two caches, one of which the children found hidden in a stump.   

We logged our two caches, finished our hike, and grabbed a few Virginia State Park "First Day Hike 2015" stickers before heading home. We looked forward to cozying up inside our warm house and enjoying the lunch  I had left slow cooking in the crock pot.  It was a most perfect introduction to 2015. 

Halifax County is home to two state parks, Staunton River State Park, and Staunton River Battlefield State Park, a 300 acre Civil War battlefield site. The Occoneechee State Park is just a few minutes down the road in Mecklenburg County, and sits on Buggs Island Lake. There are many water access points in the state parks, with lots of opportunities for boating, hiking, kayaking and canoeing, camping, and more. To find out more about these opportunities, check out the Southern Virginia Wild Blueway. To find out more about Virginia's State Parks, go to their website here.