The fact that a trip to Virginia Beach could be considered a day trip to peace and quiet might sound ludicrous, until we share with you some secret knowledge.

With the highest attendance of the entire state park system, First Landing State Park is a sanctuary of tranquility in spots.

The wheelchair accessible bayou boardwalk is a great change of scenery from the beach experience. These hikes are all on the easy side, to which passing mothers pushing strollers along far onto some of the trails can attest.

Winding through what appears to be deep southern bayous you'd associate more with Louisiana than Virginia, you'll find pleasant dappled shade and an ecosystem children will surely find intriguing. 

Endless bald cypress trees rise up from the dark waters. It's comfortable to hike even on the hottest summer day. We went on a day we did not even realize it was 98 degrees till we checked as we headed to the beach by midday.

Some hikes lead you to marsh vistas that leave you feeling like you are nowhere near Virginia Beach at all.

A boardwalk there lets you into a world filled with songbirds, waterfowl, and peace of mind.

We still marvel at the variety you have to pick from when attending this park. There is a little of everything to suit your particular mood that day. Fitness hikes, reading on a beach towel to the sound of seagulls, or even exploring their great educational and nature display centers, it's all there for the taking.

I also have to say, this park has a great number of happy dog's enjoying it as well. I was surprised and waited for an appropriate moment to photograph their dog fountain in use. I had never seen one and they are a great invention for our four legged friends. A low bowl fountain is attached about 4" off the ground to a regular fountain in front of the parks nature center.

The parking lot for hikers is adjacent, so your dog can get hydrated before and after a hike. This is a trend I hope to see expand to other parks, as dogs enjoy them all!

We seriously hope to dispel the illusion that Virginia Beach is a typical place to head on a summer day, with huge crowds, loud music, and difficult, and expensive parking at best.

Head to First Landing State Park instead,

it's an entirely different world.

Get a cabin or tent site for a week of choices that the entire family can agree on, and at a far lower price than the main city beach area. You'll even get to dream in peace, rather than try to sleep through people coming and going at all hours up the hallways of the huge beach hotels. That is priceless indeed on a beach vacation.

Click here to see Part 1 of our series on 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: Learn more about Universal Accessibility in the campgrounds, cabins, trails, boat launch, beach access, picnic areas and restrooms at First Landing State Park here.