Updated December 5, 2019

On the way to grandmother's house we go, and along the way we traipse the trails wandering through the magical woods, finding colorful mushrooms, acorns and pretty fall leaves.

While all that was happening, I think I just learned why so many grandparents take the grandkids to Virginia State Park cabins, and it wasn't what I first had thought.

First s'mores ever were made with me at a Virginia State Park (what an honor)

GENERATIONAL

Our girls were raised visiting Virginia State Parks, we went from one side of the state to the other, we paddled every waterway, went swimming, hiking, spelunking and made s'more memories than we can count on two hands.

Virginia State Parks are special places to make fond memories

Now they're grown and we have a granddaughter who is an urbanite, so of course we wanted to introduce her to the great outdoors, and fortunately for us we have our beloved state parks in Virginia for exactly this reason. 

A THIRD PLACE

Cabins make a great third place for the family to gather 

NO FANCY FURNISHINGS

Rustic is the word we all love when it comes to cabins. Rustic evokes mountains, the great outdoors, lodges and nature. At a Virginia State Park cabin the furnishings are simple and utilitarian. Everything is there for a purpose and practical for your stay, unlike most homes (including mine) that have dust collectors, i.e. bric-a-brac that is pretty to look at, but another worry for a parent or grandparent when little fingers are around.

I can't emphasize enough how great the extra space is, at the cabin having a bedroom just for the grands and the family space in the living/dining room is fantastic.

Comfy cabins have everything you need (just bring the food and the love)

Sometimes having family in your home can just add another level of stress. Without going into detail for each family, there might be memories, hardships from broken relationships, and other obstacles that could impact a visit.

Having the chance to stay at a third place, in other words, not our home and not your home, is ideal. A cabin is a relaxing place for everyone, less rules just right. Being there together is a wonderful bridge builder.

A NATURAL EXPERIENCE

A safe place to explore, you can't find this in the city

You never know what you will find when you go outside at a state park. This was the first time our granddaughter ever thought to look closely along the walk to see special things like rocks, mushrooms, ferns, orange leaves, birds, squirrels and deer.

It was quite a time of discovery for her, and we let her touch and smell different treasures she encountered in the park.

SPACE

Ample space like playgrounds, swimming beaches, and visitor centers for hands on learning 

Trails and woods to explore the nature at a park

We had the entire park to explore outside, plus playgrounds and visitor center. How cool is this? Acres and acres of woods with trails, overlooks, flora and fauna to explore. Surprises were literally around every corner. On one wooded walk we stumbled upon so many varieties of mushrooms, like indigo, old man of the woods, hen and chicks. It was such a treasure hunt that before we knew it our granddaughter was seeing the mushrooms before we would.

Not to mention the great park programs that are for all age groups. Click here to search the events database for year-round programs.

VALUE

S'mores fixin's include peanut butter to give it that "Reeses" touch

I can't emphasize this enough. I spent two nights in a hotel room prior to my cabin stay. I had one room with a coffee maker to make a single cup of coffee and it cost more than having a complete cabin to myself. At the park cabin, I pulled right up and didn't have to haul a suitcase down drafty hallways, listening to hotel room doors slamming and tv's blaring in the next room. Nope, it was night and day. 

At the cabin I had a full kitchen with all the pots, pans, plates and cutlery to make fantastic meals. We could cook anything we wanted, we could prep the burgers for cooking over a campfire, make Jiffy Pop and even s'mores...and nobody makes s'mores like our family.

The cabin 13 we rented at Smith Mountain Lake State Park had a wood burning stove, a nice sized living room with dining table, two bedrooms, bathroom and a covered porch with rockers.

For example: this cabin for Dec 14-15 is $84 plus tax per night, or $506 per week. (I mention by the week because it is like getting 1 night free if you stay 7.)

A local chain hotel room (and they charge per person) is $153 plus tax per night for the cheapest room. Plus, you pay lodging tax in hotels, which you don’t pay at a state park cabin, you only pay sales tax.

I AM RICHER FOR IT

Virginia State Parks have enriched our lives beyond measure. I thought grandparents took grandkids to the parks to carry on that tradition, when their own children were "doing life" with all that includes.

And while that is partially correct of course, being that third place, a safe place to gather away from other influence and distractions is worth its weight in gold.

So as a new grandparents I will make it a priority to create new traditions the old way, which oddly enough is the way we always have, by bringing the young ones to Virginia State Parks.

The reason I write this article is because I want to get the word out so you too can make those forever memories with the ones you love, outside. Life is just so much better out there.

#ThinkOutside