After the hike

We had so much amazing feedback from this year's first day hike that we wanted to share some of it with you, from you!

Thanks to everyone who was not only up and at 'em on the first of January, many braving icy temperatures to participate, but for every photo you sent in showing you with your friends, your family and even your four legged first day hikers hitting the trails at a Virginia State Park! These are a few of their stories…

Hungry Mother State Park offers excellent hiking opportunities and fun for the whole family by Tammy Hilt

Hiking ranks as a very special activity to my twin sons and me

I learned to love walking in the woods from my dad, WWII Vet Paul W. Kennedy. After he retired, he had more time to spend with my younger brother and me doing things like hiking than he had been able to with my three older siblings. I never dreamed that I would have children of my own with whom to share my love of hiking; however, God had other plans for my life. My husband and I married later in life and thought we were too old to have a family. In my 40's, I was blessed to give birth to twin sons!

We love hiking at Hungry Mother State Park in Marion! It is a wonderful place to camp, and there are awesome hiking trails. The trails range in variety from very easy grades (for those like my husband who have achy knees) to more strenuous grades, where you can criss-cross the beautiful mountains. On our First Day Hike, my sons and I hiked most of the way around the near side of the lake with some rangers and a group. Since I was recovering from hospitalization for pneumonia, we turned around before the group was finished. We wanted my husband to also enjoy the great outdoors that day, so (when we made it back to our mini-van) we parked and all four of us hiked to the Amphitheater Island. If is one of our favorite short hikes because you can see most of the lake from the scenic arching bridge that connects the mainland to the island.

Although this was our first hike of the year, it will not be our last! We are already planning some trips this spring and summer.

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Endorphin Tri Fitness Prince William By Becky Mihalovich

Our team is a youth triathlon team

Although this Tri team term is understated. We consist of about 50 youth team members ages 5-18. From there we branch off to high performance teams. We train anywhere we can get our hands on. We go to Leesylvania State Park often for runs and cycling practice. We can also be seen at Prince William Forest Park, Lake Montclair, 234 cycling path, local schools and traveling around the United states competing in cycling and triathlon competitions. We are one of the largest youth teams in the nation. We have been in existence for 6 years although we have undergone team name changes 2 times.

Along with training and competing our team gives back to the community by donating time and energy. We volunteer at local races handing out water and keeping the course safe. We host a holiday fun run in our community and serve chili and hot chocolate afterwards while collecting winter coats for the needy. Our team also supports the local police department donating food items for a Prince William County Police Christmas dinner held in honor of a local officer Paul Dittamo killed in the line of duty.

The Endorphin team also hosted a bike safety day at Ashland Elementary and a first time ever triathlon held at Chinn Aquatics Center. We also supported the ice bucket challenge raising money.

Our First Day Hike was a fun exciting training day for many members of our team. We enjoyed a fun trail run on the amazing trails at Leesylvania State Park. It allowed us to get outside and start the year off doing what we love to do most, being active and staying fit while having fun in our community.

Afterward we took advantage of the holiday and shared a breakfast together.

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A Riding Tradition By Leslie Keck

A New Year's Day trail ride has become a tradition with my girlfriends

It's a great way to start the new year as well as share our love of nature and horses. We meet about halfway between our homes at Staunton River State Park.

Staunton River has added more multi-use trails and a beautiful equestrian campground in the past couple of years. With many trails to chose from, it has become a riding favorite for many, including me. And yes, I have even camped in the equestrian campground even though I live in the same county of the park.

On New Year's, we were the first horses on the trail, so we saw deer while riding on the River Bank Trail. We even saw an immature bald eagle. While still riding on the River Bank Trail, we saw a mature eagle near a huge nest. Could the eagle population be increasing in the area?

At the end of our ride, the trailer parking lot was full of equestrians and hikers. We had lunch at the picnic tables and enjoyed chatting while watching other horses come and go from the lot.

After our ride, I did call the park office to notify them of the eagle’s nest since it is very close to the trail. They were aware of the nest and told me it was abandoned. However, since we saw an eagle in the same tree as the nest, they will watch to see if the eagles are rebuilding that nest.

Staunton River State Park is a favorite among many equestrians to ride due to the addition of many trails. Make sure it is your goal to ride at this park in 2015. It is well worth the drive.

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Hiking Sticks Made from Branches of the Family Tree By Shan Sixbey

Don and Sandy Kelso of Moneta, Virginia took their family on a First Day Hike at Smith Mountain Lake State Park.

Their two children were visiting for the holidays with all four grandchildren. They gave the grandchildren hiking sticks for their collection of hike medallions from the places the family has hiked together.

The collection started with medallions from three parks visited in Hawaii this past summer (2014). This holiday, hiking medallions from Booker T. Washington National Monument, Sharp Top at Peaks of Otter, and Smith Mountain Lake State Park can be added.

Where will this family head next?

Hikers: Don and Sandy Kelso (pictured below)
Scott and Amanda Kelso, William Kelso (12), Andrew Kelso (10)
Brian and Shan Sixbey, Caedmon Sixbey (14), Catriona Sixbey (12)

Don't let that momentum slow down first day hikers…36 parks to choose from!

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