Following the advice of "Agnes" my GPS to take this highway, pay that toll, head toward the tunnel, no wait turn around go North toward the bridge, wait there's construction on the bridge...it was all maddening and I considered tossing in the towel.

I thought I knew where I was going, but I was a fish out of water, and that was exactly the point, I was trying to get to the water, not to trudge along at one traffic light after another in a concrete jungle.

I knew if I could just get there and step out of the car nature therapy would take over. But what I didn't expect was the immense solitude I found at this Virginia State Park that is smack dab in the heart of a city.  

Trail Center at First Landing State Park was a great place to start my escape (see this bench? I sat on this bench)

Now I know why this park is so popular, why people flock to her like the seagulls do on her beach. But midweek, where was everyone? I virtually had the place to myself except a few joggers on the trails, and a guy doing Tai Chi on the shoreline. Now I am craving chai tea...

I FOUND A NATURAL ESCAPE

Diamond in the rough

First Landing State Park is a huge park and it is like diamond in the rough, and just as multifaceted. There is the sandy beach along the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, there is the Bald Cypress Swamp with boardwalk, the maritime forest trails with soft Pine-Sol scented needles underfoot, the salt water marsh, the Broad Bay inlet that is great for water sports and recreation.

I call her a diamond in the rough as she is so delightfully undeveloped. Just enough amenities to be useful and for park visitors to enjoy natural wonders.

The Trail Center - offers neat exhibits on the park’s natural and cultural resources. It is a great place to park and head explore the trails. Most notably is the incredible Bald Cypress Trail located directly behind this facility. There is a self-guided tour to explore this unique wetland and observe the creatures in it via the safety of the elevated boardwalk.

Environmental Education Center - First Landing State Park's Chesapeake Bay Center features educational displays that focus on the First Landing by English settlers here in 1607.

If you like to participate in park programs, click here to see a lineup for the year, with more events and programs added weekly. Here are some upcoming activities that may interest you:

• 03/25/2017 - Earth Hour
• 04/22/2017 - Earth Day Celebration - First Landing Tree Army - A Stewardship Virginia Event
• 05/20/2017 - National Kids to Parks Day
• 06/03/2017 - Clean the Bay Day & National Trails Day Park Clean Up
• 06/10/2017 To 06/11/2017 - National Get Outdoors Day

Ten trails total about 20 miles, including bike and fitness trails

Soft pine needles warmed by the sun make up the bulk of the hiking trails

It's like stepping into a different world away from the mayhem and madness when you visit First Landing State Park

Bald Cypress Trail self-guided tour and boardwalk - note dogs are allowed, and plentiful at this park

This is a part of the Bald Cypress Trail that is 1.8 miles in length, but you can go on just a portion of it

An amazing place to visit as there is Spanish moss hanging in the trees and snakes in this swamp

Recreation

The park's Bay Store rents bikes in-season which I thought was pretty cool, unless you can transport your own bike. There is a boat ramp in the south area of the park called the "Narrows" and canoes, kayaks and other watercraft may be rented from a park concession at the boat ramp. This is also a popular crabbing and fishing area.

See what I mean? Back to nature, like you are 100 miles away from the closest civilization. But you aren't, and it is an amazing escape.

Breathe

I loved that there are no high-rise hotels, no traffic clogging the park's arterial roads. But along the trails there are joggers with headphones, dogs on leads with cheeky grins, cyclists smelling of sunscreen, and an abundance of wildlife.

We need this

Here is a short video I put together from my visit. Oh yeah there are cabins and campgrounds available as well. I recommend a midweek visit if you can swing it, while there may be fewer programs midweek, you will really get that woodsy park feel that Virginia State Parks are so well-known for. 

Experience the natural escape of First Landing State Park

Plan your escape

First Landing State Park is located at 2500 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23451. It is next door to Cape Henry Lighthouse and First Landing Cross in adjacent Fort Story. To plan your drive time, click here for Google map directions.