Chippokes Skinny Dipping 101 - 4 November 2014
Fifteen hikers gathered on a beautiful, sunny, windless, November morning for a saunter around this beautiful state park. Among those present were two very nice youngsters, and three delightful pooches. After a short wait at the mansion parking lot we were off for the stroll to the Lower Chippokes Creek boat launch. Creek scenery viewed from the extremely stable (?) floating dock was, as always, enjoyable.
From gthere the Horse Trail found us winding and curving our way around expansive soybean fields and listening to the tale of the sliding pine. Tiny purple asters were seen. Bursts of autumn colors on the trees and poison ivy vines were admired. Somewhere on this meandering path we spied three approaching humanoids.
Turns out these wanderers were part of our marvelous Tuesday Group. On the way to Chippokes they had done some interesting ‘exploring’ in the local area, missing us at the mansion gathering spot. After greetings and salutations, the joined assemblage continued on to the River Overlook. Here the history of the ‘Poison Ivy Bench’ was recounted.
A hill. We descended a hill! Downward to the James River Beach we wended our way. The cold, onshore wind and breaking waves of previous days were pleasantly absent. Our meandering hikers split into two groups - one opting for a shaded area off toward the Visitor Center a bit, whilst the remainder stayed in the warm sun. Out on the river a cormorant magically turned into a floating stick.
Some folks broke out pieces of plastic, or other butt protection, whilst others simply plopped down on the sand. Lunch munchies appeared from packs and were dispatched in a most leisurely fashion. Shells were searched for as folks wandered up and down the beach. A flimsy, inexpensive home across on the other side of Lower Chippokes Creek was admired. Upriver ferries could be seen crossing the James. The slowly diminishing Ghost Fleet was discussed.
The Terrier Mix turned up her nose at the inviting river, preferring to keep herself near her bipedal friends. Mr. German Shepherd muchly enjoyed ball chasing on the beach and in the shallows at water’s edge, begging one and all to send him running. Down the way Miss Golden Lab was neither hesitant nor shy. Skinny dipping was the order of the day as she romped and enjoyed this chance at water play.
Although napping on the sand was mentioned, none took that much advantage of this loverly day. All too soon we were off struggling mightily to heft our now interior carried lunches up the hill and back to the trail. On the way back to the mansion we learned about the Surry Nuclear Power Plant sirens, and the noise they can emit. Nearby poison ivy branches extended 8 to 2-ft out from their host tree.
Whilst some hikers departed for home, others wandered over to the Farm Museum to see and enjoy the various wild, wild animals on public view there. As I headed for the mansion, and a stroll through the gardens, a pair of horseback riders passed by on their outing.
R/S Bill R
Please click on the link to view Marti and Bill R's pictures: https://plus.google.com/photos/116682864874529858847/albums/6079795281751271489