Sandy Bottom Nature Park, Hampton, VA

This afternoon we took a pretty fall walk at Sandy Bottom Nature Park in Hampton. The park is at the corner of Hampton Roads Center Parkway and Big Bethel Road. If coming from I64, exit 261A will bring you directly to Big Bethel Road. Then follow signs to Sandy Bottom.

We walked around Crystal Lake on the Red Fox trail. There are two lakes at Sandy Bottom--Sandy Bottom Lake and Crystal Lake. They are also doing a wetland reconstruction project there.

It's a very pretty place to walk; and the trails are kept up and easy to walk on.

Sammy and PG like the bridges as well as the paths! Today the paths were a bed of leaves!

Sandy Bottom has lots of family friendly activities. They rent paddle boats, jon boats, canoes and kayaks.

They also have some campsites with firepits for tents. And they also have these yurt type of cabins, right on the lake, for rental.

I've often thought about renting one of these for a night--just to see what it's like! Each yurt costs $42 per night and has two bunk beds. But I haven't done it yet!

So many pretty yellow leaves--had to make a little bouquet for Sammy!
Wish you were here,
Joyce
Sammy & PG

Historic Jamestown, VA

 This morning we went with my husband's photography club to visit Historic Jamestown. Historic Jamestown is the site of the first permanent English settlement in America.

It costs $10 to visit and dogs are welcome. They can't go inside the Visitor's Center, though, so you need someone else to go inside and purchase your tickets for you. This weekend was a free weekend.

You cross over a bridge to get to the area where they are still excavating the old Jamestown fort and settlement. Sammy is barking, as usual!

This obelisk was built in 1907 to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the landing at Jamestown.

We broke away from the photography group and went off by ourselves. Lots of paths to walk on for the dogs.

This stick structure was the barracks.

There are also paths along the James River and you can watch the Jamestown Ferry going back and forth to Smithfield. You can get lunch or a snack at the Dale House Cafe; and dogs are welcome on the patio.

Sammy enjoys sightseeing!

Hey, Pocahontas is trying to get away with my dogs!
Wish you were here,
Joyce
Sammy & PG

Windsor Castle Park, Smithfield, VA

This afternoon we went to Windsor Castle Park in Smithfield. There are over three miles of walking trails and bridges. This park is pretty new--it's only been a public park since 2010.

We parked near Smithfield Station and walked across this bridge to the park.

Sammy and PG like looking out at the marshes. This bridge crosses Little Creek.

 

PG sits in the middle of the trail.

Some of the trails are right next to the creek and the marshes. It's very pretty. There is also a dog park, several picnic areas, and a place to put your kayak into the creek.

One part of the trail reminds me of the Yellow Brick Road in the Wizard of Oz!

At the parking lot there is a Smithfield Station pig. Sammy was not so sure of the pig...
Wish you were here!
Joyce
Sammy & PG