Posted October 25, 2016 | Updated January 25, 2019

Our hiking for the day started again with Culler's Trail at Shenandoah River State Park, but we started off in the direction we had not gone the previous day, as that led to woodland trails on more difficult terrain. 

You won't be disappointed if you explore this incredible state park

Waking up in a beautiful state park cabin to the sound of rain was totally peaceful. Just like the night before, the rocking chairs on the back porch got a workout as I watched it get lighter out and checked the weather for our opportunity to hike. When would it come? 

We had a leisure morning and headed to the visitor center to look over the educational displays more, chat with the friendly rangers, and use the WiFi.

We did not yet know it, but it will be forever known as turtle day! We had already removed a male Eastern box turtle from the road on the way to the visitor center that morning. He was crossing and we finished his journey before someone might run over the little guy. Wish I had taken a photo, as he was the last male we saw that day. It was interesting to research their life cycle and habits. They live their entire life in a 2 to 4 acre range, show a high degree of color pattern variation, and can lay fertile eggs for up to 4 years from a single mating. Eastern box turtles really are remarkable.

We hiked Culler's Trail to Bear Bottom Trail and then looped back to Culler's Trail via Big Oak Trail. Big Oak is where we saw beautiful overlooks of the meadows we had hiked the day before, and the Shenandoah River. Big Oak Trail also passed through heavily populated wooded turtle habit.

The highest points had craggy trees clutching the hillside rocks, and gave some interesting opportunities to frame views of the river.

When doing photography, remember, framing your subject within the context of your scene, whether rural or urban, can make an average photo both striking, and memorable.

When we returned to the cabin, we had hiked 4 hours on such a great array of trails that we hope to come back and get to hike and photograph this park in every season. We'll certainly be watching for snowfall predictions for this park, as I can imagine how beautiful it will be under a fresh layer of snow.

We also returned that evening and found both adjacent cabins to us now occupied.

We had a motorcycle couple on one side headed south and on a scenic tour, and a family in one of the wheelchair accessible cabins on the other side getting some much needed nature therapy for their son. I think we all need liberal doses of nature therapy, but it was nice seeing him have a great time with his dad on the deck. They had come to escape the hectic city, and what a nice park to wash away the daily bustle that is Washington DC.

We had dinner and headed back to the river in hopes of catching a sunset we'd been cheated out of by the previous night’s rain. We were not disappointed! We also shared the river with a couple that connected to the history of the whole state park system. The man's Uncle Jess had been in the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps).

It was a fun evening and we stayed for every exquisite moment of the sun setting along a western curve of the river.

This was only our 2nd mountain state park we have visited, but if the rest are as amazing as Shenandoah River and Grayson Highlands State Parks, we'll be thrilled.

Culler's Overlook is wheelchair accessible and offers magnificent views

Of all the season passes a family can invest in, nothing holds more potential fun and a year's worth of exercise and immersion in every ecosystem and habitat Virginia has to offer than a state park pass. Their programs are either free or very inexpensive. They rent bikes, kayaks, inner tubes, and canoes by the hour, half day or full day.

Take your camera, or your sketch pads, your dog or your kids, but mountains and beaches, and all that amazing wildlife awaits. There really is a perfect place to visit for you, even if you are disabled. We meet volunteers and rangers working hard at every park to make your next visit amazing.

Click here to see Part 1 of this series at Shenandoah River 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 at Shenandoah River State Park.

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.

You can learn more about Virginia State Parks' Annual Passes here. Annual passes may be purchased using credit card, check or cash at any Virginia State Park. If you plan to buy a pass at a park office or contact station, call first to make sure it's open. You can also purchase them over the phone with the customer service center at 800-933-PARK. 

Did you know if your vehicle has a handicap placard or license plate you have free parking at any Virginia State Park? Just point this out at the contact station when you enter the park.

Posted October 25, 2016 | Updated January 25, 2019