Guest Blogger First Landing State Park
September first, I was in First Landing State Park. I didn't set out that day to hike the trails, but with my ever preset camera in hand; I heard a woodpecker pounding away in the distance. I started walking towards the mesmerizing knocking.Looking upwards to the tree line, not paying much attention to where I was going.
Bring your camera and explore First Landing State Park
A small pebble had worked its way under my heel in my sandal (yes not proper foot attire, but I had not intended to hike that day).
I stopped to shake the boulder (or so it felt) from my shoe. As I looked down to where my next step would have been, right there in the middle of the path, slithered a snake…about 2 or 3 feet long. Being from New York City originally (and admittedly not too fond of snakes),I did what any self-respecting city boy would do…. I let outa BWAWAWAWAAAAAA. If anyone heard me in the distance, they would have thought there was a Bigfoot loose in the woods!
I took 3 steps backward and let him/her go on its way. Once the snake was off the path and into the leaves, it stopped. Now the photographer in me took over, and I managed to compose myself enough to take a few shots of it.
It was not until later that I learned that my next step would have been across the back of a copperhead had it not been for the pebble that saved me from a possible lengthy hospital stay.
Photo courtesy of First Landing State Park
Note from Shellie
Pete we're relieved to hear the little pebble was the worst of your worries! I bet you won't wander off to find woodpeckers in sandals again.
First Landing State Park was originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, First Landing State Park is located by the Chesapeake Bay. The park, which is Virginia’s most visited state park, is nestled in Virginia Beach. First Landing offers boating, swimming, nature and history programs, hiking, biking, picnicking, a boat launch, cabins and 20 miles of trails on 2,888 acres.
There are some great places to observe nature in the wild. directly behind the new TRAIL CENTER/Visitor Center is the very popular Bald Cypress Trail. This trail is one mile and length and crosses dunes and ponds, and is universally accessible. A brochure for the self-guided tour is available at the Trail Center. Learn more about the trails here.