Hey yawl, did you know that Virginia State Barks has a porch with your name on it? I have done my share of porch settin' with my family and I want to share some of my favorite cabin porches with you.

WELCOME TO THE PORCH

Porch settin' at cabin 8 Douthat State Bark

Cabin 8 porch at Douthat State Bark has some great sunset views over the lake when the leaves are down. This is a 2 bedroom CCC built in the 1940's cabin, and I really enjoyed this porch. Dad and I did some porch settin' and had coffee together in early November, when the weather was cold and crisp overnight, but we still had plenty of sunshine. My big sisters loved this porch as much as I did.

Douthat State Bark has cabins, lodges and even honeymoon cabins that are one room efficiencies with the bed almost in front of the fireplace. 

I heard through the grapevine: Furnishings are being updated and they are replacing the full sized beds with new queen beds this month.

Learn more about the cabins at Douthat State Bark here.

Porch settin' at cabin 13 Claytor Lake State Bark

This was the summer I tried to connect with Nana. I figured if she and I spent some porch settin' time together she might warm up to me. So I sat right close to Nana that summer afternoon at cabin 13 at Claytor Lake State Bark. My family loves this 3 bedroom cabin, since it has two bathrooms which is especially handy with all of these girls. The one reason these bark cabins are so unique is that every cabin is waterfront at Claytor Lake. 

I heard through the grapevine: There is construction going on for brand new 3-bedroom cabins that started on October 20, and are scheduled to be completed in April, 2016. 

Learn more about the cabins at Claytor Lake State Bark here.

Porch settin' at cabin 12 at James River State Bark

One of my favorite porches was this one from cabin 12 at James River State Bark. Outside our cabin were grassy natural areas that were teeming with bunny rabbits, birdies and other wildlife. I had fun watching them from the porch, since Mum said I was not allowed to go after them or leave the porch without my leash on. As a family we enjoyed dinner at the picnic table right on the porch and heard, and then saw the trains going past on the other side of the river below. Choo choo chugga chugga chugga chugga...

This is not a grapevine thing, but a hint from a dawg who knows: If you stay overnight in these cabins when the leaves are down, the views are much better. Or if you prefer to stay in these cabins when they leaves are on the trees, just behind these cabins there is a very pretty butterfly garden. Almost all of the cabins have nice views at this bark, but none of them are waterfront.

Learn more about the cabins at James River State Bark here.

Porch setting at cabin 6 at Twin Lakes State Bark

Let's get real dawgs: If you are prone to running off, then it may be better if your family chooses a cabin with an enclosed porch for you, that way you can sit inside without your leash and enjoy the view and watch and smell the world outside. I recommend you do this then the temptation to chase deer and wildlife won't be left on your shoulders, after all you are made to run and chase.

Cabin 6 at Twin Lakes State Bark was a real treat since it looked right out on the lake and I got to see Canadian Geese and more from a distance. They are pretty big birds too.

More from the grapevine: I heard they are building new cabins at this bark too. If you want to have a waterfront cabin choose cabins 2, 4 or 6. These cabins are the cinderblock style all have an enclosed porch. There may be noise from construction before the end of April 2016.

Learn more about the cabins at Twin Lakes State Bark here.

Porch settin' at cabin 1 Natural Tunnel State Bark

The cabins at Natural Tunnel State Bark all seem to have really neat views since they are sit out on a ridge. This is cabin 1 and right at the very end of the cabins so it has a ton of privacy. We loved sitting out on this porch as a family at the end of the day. There were deer right outside our cabin and I was able to secretly spy on them from the porch. These are the newer cabins and have gas fireplaces and great big kitchens.

Groovy grapevine stuff you dawgs may dig: New cabins are being built at Natural Tunnel State Bark. This project is expected to be all done by April 30, 2016. They tell you this as a warning as you may hear construction noises during your stay, but at least the bears are all hibernating.

Learn more about the cabins at Natural Tunnel State Bark here.

I NEVER MET A PORCH I DIDN'T LIKE

Helpful hints for you 

If you go in the off peak season your family can save money and still enjoy the whole getaway experience. Bring your bikes to ride, and hiking boots to enjoy these barks when the swimming beaches and pools are closed, which really doesn't affect us much since we aren't allowed on those beaches and in those pools anyway.

Click here to see the rates and you can check availability for any cabin at any bark here, or call 800-933-PARK Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Click this link to see which barks offer cabins.

Mum says she always goes to the "check availability" page to see the cabin loops on a map which helps her choose the right cabin for us, and it will always show you the current overnight rate there as well.

Oh and before I forget, dawgs you are considered an overnight guest at Virginia State Barks, so for that your folks will have to pay a nightly fee for your stay. Right now it is $10 per dawg per night, which is less than a kennel fee and worth every penny.

Tell Mum to keep a couple overnight bags ready: Virginia State Barks offers last minute cabin discounts every Thursday on available cabins. You can save 25% on cabins available for that coming weekend, don't miss out on a last minute getaway. Here is the Facebook page to stay in touch, and twitter here. 

Remember, paws were meant to get muddy!