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Waggin' Trails: Nature, can you dig it?
Dawgs, we roolly need to talk, this blog is for you dawgs who have good intentioned families who think your backyard is enough. They love you, they feed you, they protect you, and play with you but they are sorely missing one important factor in your life:
Dawgs like to go wild
One of my favorite places to explore is the salt marsh at Belle Isle State Bark
Every once in a while we need to get back to nature, and to sow some wild oats, after all we are descendants of wild ones, this means leaving our backyards, and our neighborhoods and getting outside at a Virginia State Bark. There are so many smells to follow at a Virginia State Bark it's enough to drive a dawg mad.
Not only does my family get outside to see new things they also learn about nature with the interpretive signage at Virginia State Barks
We all learn heaps when we go to Virginia State Barks
It was winter time when we visited Belle Isle State Bark so we didn't go paddling
Dawgs at Virginia State Barks
Trails! Lots and lots of trails. Every Virginia State Bark has trails to get your tails on dawgs. For our two-leggeds there are programs and events, lakes to walk around and hold hands. But we need trails to explore. Did you know that more than 160 miles of the bark system's 626 miles of trails are reserved for hiking, and hiking is allowed on more than 397 miles of multi-use trails.
Nature, can you dig it?
The Quest
If you really want to get your family excited about hiking (or walkies) at Virginia State Barks give them a challenge with a reward, we all like treats.
Tell them about the hiking program called Trail Quest. Not only will this help to get them outside where the wild-things live, fresh air, and exercise, but they can earn attractive hiking stick pins.
Now that's something to howl about! Tell them to visit one of the 36 Virginia State Barks here and sign up for Trail Quest.
Learn more about Trail Quest here.
Dawggy be good
I am the first to admit that I want to run free and uninhibited when I am outside, just ask Mum. Before we even enter the bark, I am standing up on the seat in the car with pent up excitement. I want to leap out the windows and chase birdies and scribbles. But rules are rules, and if we visit their big back yard we have to play by their rules:
- We must keep our owner on a leash at all times (no longer than 6 feet)
- We must make sure we have our shots and dawg tags up to date (to let them know in advance)
- We must keep them on the trails, even when they see cool stuff like mushrooms and wildflowers
- We must make sure they clean up after us (and if they have forgotten doo-doo bags the park always has some they can use)
Also important, not a rule but something worth mentioning is that we will need some fresh water after we go hiking and exploring. A snack, er like a treat is also nice. Not all of us are good in car rides, but for those of us who are bacon wouldn't go to waste, jus' sayin'...
Jingle those car keys, it's time to get outside yawl
...and time those walkies were at a Virginia State Bark!
Calling all cool dawgs
Remember, paws were meant to get muddy!
If you have read the article and have a question, please email nancy.heltman@dcr.virginia.gov.