Shared by Debra Ryder, as Guest Blogger.

On New Year’s Day 2021, we unknowingly started our Trail Quest journey with a First Day Hike at Pocahontas State Park. At the time, we weren’t aware of the Trail Quest program, but had participated in previous First Day Hikes. There is a saying that suggests what you do the first day of the year will set the course to what you’ll do the rest of the year. It was worth a shot, right? We took the opportunity to have First Day Hikes kick start our New Year’s resolutions, and have fun in the process. 

Debra Ryder and RJ Meade hiking at Belle Isle State Park. Photo courtesy of Debra Ryder.

The power of the First Day Hike, and learning of the Trail Quest program, motivated our continued trek to successfully visit all 41 Virginia State Parks in just over half the year. Don’t let our quick pace deter you though. We set a very aggressive personal goal for ourselves. The truth is that the Trail Quest program is 100% self-paced and has no set time to complete. No matter your pace, you get rewards along the way, as you log your first visit, and after visiting 5, 10, 20 parks; with a special Master Hiker certificate presentation after visiting all the state parks.

What we learned along the way

RJ Meade and Debra Ryder sitting on a park bench overlooking Claytor Lake. Photo courtesy of Debra Ryder.

We learned so much history through our visits to all 41 Virginia State Parks, and were continually reminded that we live in a beautiful state no matter the time of year. We found that most of Virginia’s state parks are only a day trip away from central Virginia. To visit parks further out, we planned long weekends in a centralized location, or added time onto vacations, like coming home from Tennessee. 

Map of Virginia State Parks.

Attending park programs and events

Most of our state parks offer fun family events that we took advantage of after our hikes, and were a key factor when I planned many of our visits. 

For example, we visited Douthat State Park just so I could hear about bears and make a bear claw necklace. Was it for kids? Sure. Did I care? No. Did they? Not at all. We were lucky to get tickets to the Firefly Festival at High Bridge Trail to learn about them and experience the millions of twinkling lights as far as the eye could see. 

The view from High Bridge Trail during the Firefly Festival. 

One of our long weekends was scheduled so we could go to Natural Tunnel’s Light Up The Tunnel event. With live music and lighted trails, it was definitely a thumbs up. False Cape has many trails to enjoy during park hours, but we couldn’t resist signing up for their Night Hike down to the ocean on a beautiful full moon lit evening. 

Under the moon on the beach at False Cape State Park during a Night Hike. Photo by Debra Ryder.

At Holliday Lake, we enjoyed their aquatic trail (limited to warmer months) by taking a kayak that we were able to rent from the park, that was a nice switch up from our normal hiking routine. We enjoyed an evening picnic along the shoreline of Claytor Lake before walking over to Light Up The Lake where several fluorescent lights had been placed underwater to see what “critters” might be seen. 

At Claytor Lake State Park’s Light Up The Lake event. Photo by Debra Ryder.

Sky Meadows was an unplanned stop, but we definitely left with more information about the forest destructing insect, the Emerald Ash Borer, after spending some time with the infamous and funny AmeriCorps member, Bryan Hargraves. Shenandoah River’s aptly named Bluebell Trail is lined with beautiful bluebells so planning our trip in the Spring was a must do. 

Shenandoah River State Park’s Bluebell Trail.

During our visit to Fairy Stone, we were able to learn about the fairy stones and go on a ranger-led hunt to find our own. Grayson Highlands was always planned for last, and we delayed our final park visit so we could experience their annual festival and pony auction.

The end of our Trail Quest

We had visited Natural Bridge earlier in the year, but with icicles falling from the bridge, walking down to the bridge itself was closed, so I planned for a revisit and chose it as the location for the presentation of our Master Hiker certificate and pin.

RJ Meade and Debra Ryder receiving their Master Hiker awards for completing Trail Quest at Natural Bridge State Park. Photo courtesy of Debra Ryder.

There are many events and adventure opportunities throughout the park system. The best part of it all is that it’s time spent outdoors, it’s fun for all ages, it’s healthy, it’s a great learning experience, and even better yet, we made wonderful memories. Just two ordinary people...doing ordinary things...and making extraordinary memories.

RJ Meade and Debra Ryder at False Cape State Park. Photo courtesy of Debra Ryder.

Learn more about the Trail Quest program and sign up here. 

Special thanks from Virginia State Parks to Debra for sharing her experience! To see more from Debra and RJ follow them @our_wandering_journeys.