Virginia State Parks Director Joe Elton gets to visit a lot of parks and I am sure that sounds like lots of fun. And it is – but you can probably imagine there are lots of headaches too.
Those of us around central office have been worried that Joe has been burning the candle at both ends for way too long. In addition to the challenging work of managing our state parks, for nearly two years he has been serving as President of the America's State Parks website and fundraising initiatives.
If all that isn't enough, our Assistant Director retired in May which left Joe without some significant help.
So if anyone needed some recharging at a State Park it was Joe! This past weekend he was able to do just that with his lovely wife Patty and their four legged pal Buddy.
They visited Shenandoah River State Park and Joe enjoyed …
FISHING
Joe fishes from the bank of the Shenandoah River as Buddy looks on
Joe tries his hand at fly fishing
CLIMBING
And now he has his climbing gear on
I know some will call it a bus man's holiday – but where else would be better to recharge your batteries regardless of where you work piling up that daily stress? After all, as Joe always says, Virginia State Parks are a tonic for the mind, body and spirit. I'm hoping he took a giant glug of the tonic! And – I'm anxiously awaiting my vacation to one of our state parks in twenty-two more days!