March 11, 2016
As soon as I started looking for things to do in the Norfolk, Virginia area, I came across First Landing State Park. Then I had a few people advise me to be sure and to hike or bike there. So it was high on my bucket list for the area.
I got a little more involved with the Back Bay National Wildlife Area than I thought I would, so didn't get to the park until mid morning. The park is on both sides of U.S. Route 60. The Visitor Center is on the ocean side. I stopped there and paid my entrance fee. Then I followed the short boardwalk to the Atlantic Ocean. The beach had several people walking, running, or picking up shells. I was more interested in the trails through the woods and swamps on the other side of the road.
I ended up hiking more of the trails than I intended, including one that I took a wrong turn on and hiked the whole 2.5 miles, rather than less than a half mile. So I think I hiked about two miles here, two miles at Back Bay NWR and then about another mile at Norfolk Botanical Gardens. I had thirteen and a half miles on my stepmeter when I got back to my friends house that night.
This area was still mostly snoozing. I imagine it looks much different now as the new leaves come out and spring bloomers wake up.
I have left North Carolina and Virginia behind and am currently pausing in my own spring migration in Pittsburgh while I visit my daughter and son-in-law. But I have a few more adventures from North Carolina to tell you about later.
As soon as I started looking for things to do in the Norfolk, Virginia area, I came across First Landing State Park. Then I had a few people advise me to be sure and to hike or bike there. So it was high on my bucket list for the area.
I got a little more involved with the Back Bay National Wildlife Area than I thought I would, so didn't get to the park until mid morning. The park is on both sides of U.S. Route 60. The Visitor Center is on the ocean side. I stopped there and paid my entrance fee. Then I followed the short boardwalk to the Atlantic Ocean. The beach had several people walking, running, or picking up shells. I was more interested in the trails through the woods and swamps on the other side of the road.
I ended up hiking more of the trails than I intended, including one that I took a wrong turn on and hiked the whole 2.5 miles, rather than less than a half mile. So I think I hiked about two miles here, two miles at Back Bay NWR and then about another mile at Norfolk Botanical Gardens. I had thirteen and a half miles on my stepmeter when I got back to my friends house that night.
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| Osprey seemed to be working on the nest |
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| I enjoyed this beautiful pine bark |
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| Carolina jasmine was starting to bloom |
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| One of the many little pond |
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| This bush was just starting to bloom |
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| More art from bark and lichens |
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| Last year's leaves still adding beauty to the tannic water |
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| These swamps provided fresh water to the ocean-going ships |
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| Cypress and reflections |
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| A close view of a cypress |
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| I think sweetgum seed pods are lovely - and look even better with a chickadee hanging upside down on them |
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| This was the only turtle I saw |
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| Another lovely swamp sceene |
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| A burl always makes me want to carve a bowl |
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| A view of one of the paths I took - and the only one with an elevation to a little hill |
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| I had to look hard to find any berries missed by the birds and other creatures |
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| One of the few fellow hikers |
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| A viewing platform lets you get a closer view of a swamp |
This area was still mostly snoozing. I imagine it looks much different now as the new leaves come out and spring bloomers wake up.
I have left North Carolina and Virginia behind and am currently pausing in my own spring migration in Pittsburgh while I visit my daughter and son-in-law. But I have a few more adventures from North Carolina to tell you about later.
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