Hey yawl, I have never seen so many cool dawgs at Virginia State Barks as I did recently on the Friday after Thanksgiving for #Optoutside. 

You know Mrs Heltman says that there is one thing people love at our barks, and it's getting outside. She also said she thinks we should reward them for doing this when everybody else is inside, packing into crowded malls and places that we dawgs aren't allowed to go.

So what better reward than being with your family in the fresh air, playing fetch with sticks and a chance to win the Virginia State Barks #Optoutside photo contest? Yawl turned out in great numbers, so I ask "Who let the dawgs out?" you You YOU!

"Adam and his German Shepard, Leia at Powhatan State PBark!

A different way to spend black Friday"

"The reward of hiking up the North Ridge Trail was the view"

Sky Meadows State Bark

"Enjoying a day of hiking at Westmoreland State PBark,

peace and quiet at Rock Spring Pond"

"Walking along the water"

First Landing State Bark

It was a proud moment for me as a state barks blogger to see all you dawgs with your friends and family enjoying yourselves on the trails. These are just a few photos, there were heaps and heaps more. I was excited to see so many who listen to my constant plea:

GET YOUR TAILS ON THE TRAILS!

"We took a great hike and our husky Tasha had to check out Blue Suck Falls.

Happy Thanksgiving!" Douthat State Bark

"Checking out the antique planter at the Chippokes Visitor Center.

Last weekend of fall camping. Wishing it could last forever."

Chippokes State Bark

"Hunting for Fossils on Fossil Beach"

Westmoreland State Bark

"Hiking in first landing instead of doing an annual oyster roast"

First Landing State Bark

"A cherished #OptOutside moment with our dog Tavish

at Mason Neck State Bark"

GO ON A QUEST

Mum wanted me to remind you that this is a good start and if you had lots of funzy wunzies outside for the #OptOutside event, then why not Explore Virginia State Barks One Step at a Time.

If you love the outdoors and you love Virginia State Barks, the sign up for Trail Quest and be rewarded just for visiting them. The whole family, including us dawgs can participate (although we don't need to collect the pins, we'll let you two-leggeds do that, you have a better place to stick them). You can learn more about the fun Trail Quest program here.

HIT THE TRAILS

There are hundreds of miles of hiking trails available to you dawgs at Virginia State Barks and it's no wonder it is one of the most popular things to do at the barks. Everybody deserves a change of scenery. Learn more about the trails here.

RUFFIN' IT and CABIN STAYS

Dawgs yawl are allowed to ruff-it and camp with the fam at no extra charge. So if you helped win a cabin stay in this contest or the First Day Hikes Contest, you deserve to go along too.

Learn more about camping at Virginia State Barks here, and overnight cabin stays here. There is a per pet per night fee when you stay in a cabin to help the cleaning staff, more about the pet policies here.

Remember, paws were meant to get muddy!

Calling all cool dawgs