Father and Son Bonding: An Intern's Reflection on Kiptopeke State Park
Once my dad found out about my internship with Boy Scout days. After every trip I take he always shows a strong interest, wanting to know how it was, what I learned, and what I plan on writing about.
Unfortunately, I was out in Kansas during Father’s Day but thought I would take him with me when I explored Kiptopeke State Park as a make-up Father’s Day. When I told him about this idea, his eyes instantly lit up and I knew he was looking forward to hitting the trails with me.
Marketing Intern Samuel Edwards with dad, Dave, hit the trails at Kiptopeke State Park
Now that I am incollege, Irealize I miss mydaily interactions with mydad. Besides, what father wouldn't want to spend quality time with his only son, especially if it’s part of my internship? The night before our adventure, we sat down at the kitchentable and went over the Kiptopeke State Parkbrochurenoting which trails we wanted to take and discussing which kind of fish we hoped to catch.
We packed our bags –water, fishing poles, binoculars– and hit the road. On the ride there we shared stories and talked about life while listening to the Dave Mathews CD Igot him for Christmas. We don’t always agree about the music on the radio, but we both like Dave.
Our first spot to explore was the giant here for more info.)We saw a range of people of all ages catching sun on the beach, fishing from the pier,and a few kayakers exploring the giant concrete ships out along the smooth Bay surface.
The fishing pier at Kiptopeke is an old ferry landing
After exploring the waterside, I took Barbara's (the park's office manager) advicetelling me to venture out on the trail to look for Eagles and Osprey. First we hiked along the wooden boardwalks of the Bald Eagle Bluff Overlook trail that wind through the coastal forest. As we wound our way up stairways, scanning the trees for wildlife and birds, I was amazed at my dad's stamina…at 60 years old he was more than able to keep up with me. Perhaps an outdoor life is what makes people age so gracefully. At the peak of the trail we used the binoculars to scan for birds and take in the overview of the park’s beautiful coastline.
Watch this video of the Bald Eagle Boardwalk from our partner, VirginiaOutdoors.net
On our way back to Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel that connects the Eastern Shore with Virginia Beach. When you pay the toll, you get a coupon to use at Chesapeake Grill. Fresh cooked fish and waterside seating was the perfect way to finish off the evening.
The time we spent together, as father as son, is what I really took home from the adventure. Even though the park visit was part of my internship and considered work, work took a backseat to spending time with my dad. Spending time, hiking on the isolated trails together, talking about everything and nothing, made us closer to each other and the outdoors.
There's nothing like the outdoors as a backdrop to reconnecting with family and friends
Kiptopeke State Park. It is the perfect place to bond with the outdoors, but more importantly with each other.
Kiptopeke State Park is located 3 miles north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel on Virginia's Eastern Shore.