On New Year's Eve, we walked past a man sitting by himself at the Thai restaurant in Richmond we picked for our last meal of 2016.

My immediate thought was, "How sad!" It just seems so very human nature, even for an introvert, to look upon solo activities with some measure of pity. When this reaction is turned inward, it can keep people from doing things that seem somehow a bit out of the norm.

Head to a state park alone? Your reaction to this thought should be; "Why, yes please!"

Though you may be solo constantly, or just on occasion, never let it paralyze you into not getting out and enjoying Virginia State Parks at their best.

Nature is waiting for your quiet appreciation,

or exuberant singular enjoyment 

Sit and ponder the amazing things and how nature arranged them with the latest rain storm. Did tides on the beach wash together a temporary collection of flotsam that deserves your contemplation before she rearranges it yet again? Did that jellyfish stranded on the beach bear witness to underwater beauty before its unfortunate end on the sands at your feet?

If you walk alone, listen. 

The songs of many birds are complex and vary with their intent at the moment. Is it calling out an alarm that you are now traversing its realm, and you may be on the hunt? Is it a hopeful love song? Could it just be joy it has survived to live another day?

Wonder at, and appreciate these sounds of the wild places 

They are a mere undertone if you live in an urban place. Something you have to concentrate on to isolate from the din of human activity. In the state parks, they can be pure and unadulterated gifts to your senses.

Even at a very busy state park like First Landing, I find much peace on solo trips.

I also find fellowship and fun if I chat up strangers I meet. Most have interesting stories of why they are there that day. You never have anything to lose by being a friendly fellow nature lover.

You can also just sit and watch the world instead and let seagulls and waves provide the soundtrack to your inner thoughts. You can walk a favorite trail and thoroughly steep yourself in the antics of squirrels, as they have truly mastered inquisitive exploration into their place in the scheme of things.

Don't fear heading out your front door alone

My personal favorite parks for solo trips are York River State Park and First Landing State Park. I always enjoy my visits to these when I head out of Richmond alone.

The Virginia State Parks system has so many destinations in which to revel in solitude.

A freedom of spirit verging on wild abandon awaits 

Just go and enjoy. 

 

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: If you would like to see more from this fun series "Getting to know Virginia" click here.