Introverts, pay attention, we're often asked to head to places that horrify us, knowing full well, that on occasion, we should humor others and let ourselves be dragged to potentially crowded destinations, minus the kicking and screaming.

First Landing State Park is one place you should hop in the car and go to willingly. It's like the quiet, nature lovers version of Virginia Beach, and it comes with a real life bayou. There is always a less crowded spot to find some peace of mind here, even given the fact this park ranks #1 in park attendance for the entire park system.

First Landing State Park is the park that redeemed Virginia Beach for us as a feasible destination that was likely to also have a good number of other people. 

Our first trip to First Landing State Park was to knock out a couple activities in our quest to try as many official activities in the 80 things to do in Virginia State Parks contest.

Knowing so few of the parks going into summer, it gave us something of a guide to our picking what park to go to next. 

The whole reason we started going to parks was we are hikers and wanted to get out of Richmond for day trip hikes, and the Virginia State Parks system is so extensive, it seemed like a reasonable place to start.

Little did we know we'd become more enthralled with each new amazing beach or trail, and the beauty of all the varied woods, marshes, and seeing so many animals and wildflowers we had never seen up close.

First Landing State Park had 2 activities on this list: a night walk on the Chesapeake Bay and hiking a specific set of trails. Well, we've now been there 4 times in 2 months, the place is great.

We were not sure how to approach presenting this park to new people, but let's start off with fun activities, and vicarious enjoyment of wind and wave sports. You may do some of these sports yourself, but we do not. It is just as fun to meet the people doing them and watch, especially when you are a photographer. 

Meeting tourists from afar can be interesting too, and we do chat people up. We love our parks, and finding out why other people are there gives you an idea of how Virginia's State Parks were voted #1. They have a great reputation, even outside the USA. 

Now, perhaps we can make this fun and if you are knowledgeable about some of these water sports we photographed, chime in with some proper terminology for the equipment or techniques we captured in some of our shots.

We'll concentrate on the beach and people having fun this time, and get to the amazing trails in part 2, with a bit more of the serene side of the beach.

Fun does include crabbing, and that nostalgic family time spent keeping everyone fed. I do admire immigrants I encounter for bringing this wholesome time spent with loved ones back from distant lands to enrich American culture.

Families love to gather around food, and it's heartwarming when it starts with the actual gathering of the food itself.

If you haven't been to this park and love the beach, go. No crazy time looking for parking, and the camp store will hook you up with all the standard souvenir choices you'd find in the crowded tourists shops in downtown Virginia Beach.

There is no reason to leave the park at all, unless you are staying for many days in a cabin or campsite and hanker for a restaurant experience. You can select a destination for lunch or dinner right at the Visitor Center. They were thoughtful and put together a binder catalogue of area menus to make it easy to find just what your taste buds desire. We found one that way, so we'll put in a plug for the great meal we had at a converted church in downtown Norfolk, the Freemasonry Abbey Restaurant. Great food and its gorgeous historic church interior is still wrapped around you as you dine.

Stay tuned for part 2 of our series at First Landing State Park

Visit our Facebook page "Virginia Through Our Eyes," and we will give some photo by photo commentary on how we got a few of the more spectacular shots.

Stay tuned to Bob and Kevin's series on Virginia State Parks to learn more cell phone photography tips, these images were all taken with a cell phone camera, and we are excited to have them get to know Virginia one park at a time.

Editor's Note: The park was built in the early 1930s by mainly African-American CCC workers. Amenities include cabins, campgrounds, beach, bay and bald cypress swamp. Canoes, kayaks and other watercraft can be rented from a park concession at the boat ramp. Ten trails total about 20 miles, including bike and fitness trails. Trail walks are conducted by interpreters in-season, and trail guidebooks are available in the Trail Center, learn more here.