Sometimes I feel like I just have too much to do and not enough time to do it!
There are bills, laundry, dinner, chores, cleaning, emails, calls, etc. etc. And I’ve discovered that this is usually the best time to leave it all behind and just GO OUTSIDE! When I glance outside and see a blue sky I feel compelled to let it engulf me and let the fresh air clear my head from all this stress. High Bridge Trail State Park has become a great stress buster for me. Here’s how you can try it too:
Walking or Hiking
Ever heard the saying “stop and smell the roses”? Try to make this your motto as you take up walking to relieve stress. If you find something that catches your attention, take some time to investigate it. Remember, you are walking the trail to relieve stress, not to prepare for a marathon. High Bridge is an excellent scenic destination choice along the trail. And why not treat yourself to a famous Walker’s Diner milkshake in downtown Farmville on your way home since you’ve burned so many calories.
High Bridge Trail is the perfect spot to relax and walk to relieve stress
Photography
Don’t forget your camera-or phone- as you head out the door. Photography is fun and you don’t have to be an expert to click pictures. Look around at the beauty while you are on High Bridge Trail and you will find there are so many things that can be photographed. Experiment and look at things from the photographer's eye and you will be amazed how different they look.
On the bridge at High Bridge Trail State Park you'll find plenty of things to photograph
Horseback Riding
Ok, it’s not for everyone, but it’s definitely my #1 stress buster. Riding and caring for horses is well known to have therapeutic value for the mind and soul. High Bridge Trail State Park offers several convenient locations for horse trailer parking. So load up your horse and saddle up and hit the trail. And remember what Winston Churchill said, “No hour of life is wasted that is spent in the saddle.” Check out the Virginia Horse Council website for trail etiquette and trail riding information.
Riding and caring for horses is well known to have therapeutic value for the mind and soul
Writing
Writing can be a great stress reliever as it allows you to pour your heart and mind out onto a piece of paper. Stop at one of High Bridge Trail’s picnic spots or find a peaceful spot to take in your surroundings. Don't worry how bad your hand writing or sentence formation is. Just get yourself a diary and start writing down anything that comes to mind. It could be a poem or a story or simply something that is on your mind. Or put your imagination to work: what would you have been doing if you were on this spot 100 years ago?
What would you have been doing if you were on this spot 100 years ago?
Biking
Biking has a host of health benefits plus it’s an excellent way to say goodbye to stress. Invest in a good bike and helmet, get started, and hit the trail! There are bike rentals available at High Bridge Rails and Trails Bike Rentals on Main Street in Farmville so there’s no excuse! You can even make a day of it. This is a great family fun event so bring a picnic. This is truly more enjoyable than everyone sitting at home in different rooms, on the computer, watching TV, playing games or doing laundry!
Biking offers many health benefits that includes reducing stress
Location
High Bridge Trail is 31 miles long and runs through Cumberland, Nottoway and Prince Edward counties and the towns of Burkeville, Farmville, Pamplin City, Prospect and Rice. It is a multi-use trail for hiking, biking and horseback riding.
There are several convenient entrances to High Bridge Trail State Park:
Entrances– Parking availability:
- Rice's Depot Road, 1/4-mile off U.S. 460 at Rice, near trail milepost 142
- River Road, three miles off N. Main St. in Farmville, near trail milepost 146
- Osborne Road, 1/4-mile off N. Main St. in Farmville, near trail milepost 149
- Municipal lots in Farmville where the trail intersects with Main St. near trail milepost 150
- Tuggle Road, off U.S. 460 and near U.S. 15 North, near trail milepost 156
- Prospect Road, off U.S. 460 at Prospect, near trail milepost 161
- Elam, off U.S. 460 at Sulpher Spring Rd., near trail milepost 164
- Heights School Rd., of U.S. Business 460 near Pamplin, near trail milepost 168