Shared by Terrod Dillard, Visitor Services Intern, as Guest Blogger.

You have had a long laborious week at work and now you feel like you need an escape? I do! I was so thankful for a brief weekend respite after the British Literature exams I had to take last week. I highly recommend a long weekend or a full week of relaxation at Belle Isle State Park. There is plenty to do an see while you recharge your batteries.

As part of my internship, I had the special opportunity to go out on the water with a Virginia waterman. The park recently was awarded a Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund grant funded by the Chesapeake Bay License plates to promote aquaculture and water-based recreation. Next summer, they may offer waterman tours and aquaculture programs. 

But for now check out my adventure working the crab pots in a Virginia State Park's version of Deadliest Catch at Belle Isle State Park.

I learned all about jimmies, sooks, and peelers

Even if you can't book a watermen's tour, there is plenty to do in the park: 

• Belle Isle State Park has seven miles of luscious shoreline as it lies in the Northern Neck of the Rappahannock River and provides access to Mulberry and Deep creeks. Here, you can enjoy the solitude of Virginia’s tidal wetlands as they intertwine with farmland and upland forest.
• The wildlife at Belle Isle State Park is extremely abundant and photo opportunities abound. The surrounding farmlands and woodlands create great habitat for bald eagles, groundhogs, turkeys, rabbits, moles, frogs, and deer.
• Everywhere you look at will be surrounded by verdant greenery and sweeping riverine vistas. The park's short, straight, and curvy roads make for the perfect bike ride to go fishing and to set up your beach blanket on the riverfront beach.
• Rent a kayak, stand up paddle board, canoe, or john boat and enjoy the day on the river and creeks.
• From camping in the modern campground to living well in the Bel Air house and guest house, you can spend the night feeling the coastal breezes and listening to the waves lap the shoreline.

It took a few tries but I soon got the hang of stand up paddle boarding

At Belle Isle State Park you get it all. If you want peace and solitude, then you got it. If you want to enjoy the beauties of nature, then you got it. If you want to be surrounded by people who throw the stresses of life away upon entrance to the campground then you got it.

Belle Isle State Park is a gem of Virginia that will help relieve you of all your stresses

We had a great day on the water with our beach blanket set up, kayak rentals, and stand-up paddle board rentals

So, what are you waiting for?

Book your trip today by calling the Virginia State Park's Customer Service Center and making a reservation. Fall is a great time to camp at Belle Isle State Park.

Be sure to bookmark this site so you always have an up-to-date calendar of events and programs at Virginia State Parks. 

Be sure to stay tuned for part 3 of my series...