Shared by Tom Cervenak, as Guest Blogger.

Episode 9:  “On The Road… Again”

By Tom Cervenak, Marketing Manager

Back in 1982 I was at an outdoor venue in Albany, NY and Willie Nelson played for 3 incredible hours.  One of his classics, “On The Road Again,” was etched in my mind and it has become my theme song in life. Lately, I have been hearing the song a lot and amazingly became too busy traveling, to talk about my travels.

This story was actually written in my mobile office on the road, pecking away at my computer while my Promotions Manager, Steve Boyd drove me to Claytor Lake State Park. At the park we had several days of training for the Marketing Department. One evening, after work, several of us rented out the pontoon boat at the park and went for a relaxing two hour ride on the lake. Whether you are fishing or just relaxing, I strongly recommend renting the pontoon boat for an evening from our friend Johnny Garrett at Claytor Lake Water Sports. 

A school group fishing at Claytor Lake State Park near marina

State Park Marketing staff in training at Claytor Lake Water's Edge Conference Center

My travels took me next to New River Trail State Park for a meeting on the NRT Challenge triathlon.  This is my second trip down to Southwest Virginia in three weeks, as I ran all the way to Abingdon for a Fish Virginia First meeting three weeks ago. Abingdon is a beautiful little bustling town, rich in history and fine dining. While in the area I also took a side trip down to Damascus, VA, near the border of North Carolina. The Virginia Creeper Trail runs through the town, which is filled with bike and hiking outfitters. It is a really cool atmosphere and a great place to either use their services to jump on a portion of the trail, or a place to stop for a hot shower, supplies, your mail, or some good barbecue if you are already on the trail.

Last week was a week filled with canoeing and kayak training. On my one full day off in a 2 week stretch, I spent the day teaching canoeing to the Boy Scouts on a cool rainy day. The training was to get them ready for our upcoming summer camp, where we will canoe a 5 mile stretch of the Shenandoah River and many of them will be able to get their canoeing merit badge.

From that training, I went to Bear Creek Lake State Park to train our state park staff that leads canoe and kayak trips at the parks. Each year in our parks we do over 700 canoe or kayak trips for over 6,500 of our guests. My favorite has always been the moonlight canoe trips.The lack of daylight may change your views, but there is a whole new world waiting for you that is so cool. For our staff training we do a simulated moonlight canoe trip. The trip usually starts about a half hour before sunset and at Bear Creek Lake we were lucky enough to catch a rainbow before the sun went down. If you have a chance to go on one of our trips this year, I strongly recommend this chance for a relaxing ride on our beautiful waterways. 

Staff Canoe Training at Bear Creek Lake State Park

Here I am at the New River Trail sign

Well, whether on the road or on the water, look for me traveling across the great state of Virginia and beyond. 

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