Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles, VA

Today I met up with some friends at Kiptopeke State Park. Kiptopeke is three miles from the northern end of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel on Route 13. Turn west on Route 704; the park entrance is within a half mile. There is a $12 charge to cross the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel one way; and $5 to return. Although one of the ladies in the toll booth does give seagull shaped dog cookies to you if she sees dogs in your vehicle!

There is also a $4 charge to park since it is a state park. Kiptopeke has lodges, yurts and a few trailers for rent; and  all are pet friendly for an additional $10 per night.

But of course, we were there to walk on the trails. The trails are level and easy to walk on. Take a trail map with you, though--there are 6 or 7 different trails and they don't all loop around back to the starting point.

There are more than four miles of trails. We walked through upland hardwood forest along Baywoods and Songbird Trails. People can also bike here. There are many, many birds here. This refuge is a stop on their migratory path.

Sammy did not want to stay on the trail; and he was covered in ticks by the end of the walk! He had at least one tick between each toe on all four feet; as well as several ticks on all four legs. Dozens of them! After the walk we sat under a shade tree and tried to get them all off of him.

We drove into Cape Charles, a few miles north of the park, after our walk to have a little picnic. We found a shady place to sit down and purchased a few sandwiches from Kelly's Pub as take out.

We also spent some time at the Cape Charles War Memorial to remember the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces because it was Memorial Day.

Wish you were here,
Joyce
Sammy & PG