This past week I did a great show and I really can't talk about it...much. I can't tell you where it was at, but the initials are C.I.A.

It was their annual Outdoor Fitness Festival and I can tell you that all the employees are in great shape and love the outdoors to relieve their stress. I can't share any pictures with you as they confiscated all recording devices before I was allowed to enter the grounds. I can tell you that I am an outstanding American citizen, or I wouldn't have been allowed to enter after the thorough background search.  It was a great show and that is all I can say about it, no matter what you do to me. 

"Is this really necessary, I'm the Marketing Manager for Virginia State Parks?"

Well for the most part, things have quieted down on my travels. This is a great time to clean my office and catch up on administrative duties. It is also the time of the year we start getting ready for 2014 busy show season that starts the second week of January. So, since I can't talk about my show last week, I thought I would give you another "Best Of" Virginia State Parks" edition.

Best Moonlight Canoe Trip...I'm not sure you can go wrong with going on a Moonlight, or Starlight canoe trip at any of our parks that offer them in season. However, I always loved what York River State Park offered on their trips. They often start just before sunset on beautiful Taskinas Creek, which is tidal. Since the tide is almost always moving, it always adds to the experience. Also, during the summer months the cord grass grows very tall and in a canoe you sometimes feel like an ant in the grass. While on a trip you often see bats at dusk, here owls calling and your leader may even tell a great ghost story in a very remote area. 

Best Taste of History...I think the old saying that you can't spit in Virginia and not hit history is so true. Our role in American history is remarkable; from Jamestown to Colonial Williamsburg, the American Revolution War at Yorktown, the Civil War and so many Presidents that were born in Virginia. Our parks also are rich in history. Almost everyone has some sort of attachment to history, from battlefields to plantations. Of course there are the 6 original parks built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930's, including, First Landing, Hungry Mother, Westmoreland, Staunton River, Fairy Stone and Douthat State Parks.

However, for me, the standout place to absorb history is Wilderness Road State Park  A replica of Martin's Station, a 1700's fort to restock supplies before heading to the hostile West, was built with no modern tools. It is a living museum with period character actors on site performing daily duties just as they did in 1775. 

Best Escape from the BIG City...Anyone that has spent any time around the I-95-495 corridor of Washington D.C. area, has likely lost hair like me. There aren't gages invented yet to measure the stress level of this fast paced, overcrowded, very loud area. Amazingly, just 17 miles south of the beltway is the great ESCAPE: Mason Neck State Park in Lorton, Virginia. This park is an oasis in a sea of insanity. It is amazing how quiet a walk on one of the many trails can be, or enjoy canoeing Kane's Creek with the chance to see a Bald Eagle. 

My Brother-In-Law John and I in stomach paradise  

Best Stop for Ice Cream...Whenever I am traveling to any of our parks North of Richmond: I stop at Carl's Frozen Custard for lunch. Located in Fredericksburg, Carl's has been producing the same incredible frozen treats on their Electro Freeze Machines since 1947. The place is actually on the National Register of Historic Places.

For your lunch, I suggest: For the main course a half vanilla/half chocolate jumbo cone, a strawberry milkshake for your drink, a hot fudge sundae for dessert and I like to get a hard packed quart to go in case I'm hungry when I get home.  You better hurry though as they will close for the season in mid-November and will not open until sometime in February. 

A great time of the year for a ride to one of our parks! 

Best Place to Find Me...After such a busy season, if you guessed "in front of the television in my Lazy Boy Recliner", you would only get partial credit. Although that is where you would find me if an Ohio State football game was on, there is too much to do to camp out there for the winter.

In the coming weeks my family will come South for Thanksgiving and in December I am heading North with the Boy Scouts to Gettysburg. Also, my 1930's Sear's house has a long list of neglected projects that I have now started and have no less than 8 projects half done. My favorite places to go this time of the year are, the woods to relax and hunt, on the Bay fishing for Rockfish, and, yes, visiting our beautiful Virginia State Parks.

 Until our paths cross at a Virginia State Park, hang onto your pants!