Virginia, one of the nation's four commonwealths, just opened phase one of its Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail offering 210 individual sites connected over 18 different loops for nature lovers to hike, bike, climb and generally explore the less urban side of life. You can also drive the route, and access to many of the sites is free of charge.
Scattered along the trail are places for camping, biking, hiking, attending nature programs, following interpretive trails, climbing up lookout towers, picnicking and ducking into a viewing blind. The route allows you to see a wide variety of wildlife, with loops off the main driving trail to link you to some of the area's best viewing areas. This Coastal phase spans all of eastern Virginia, including the Eastern Shore, and extends west as far as Richmond, Emporia and Manassas to the eastern edge of the Piedmont. (The remaining Mountain and Piedmont phases are scheduled for completion in 2003 and 2004, respectively.)
Virginia has one of the highest diversities of birds in all of the eastern United States, boasting nearly 400 resident and migratory species. In addition, there are over 2,200 species of fish, reptiles, amphibians, mussels, crayfish, mammals, butterflies and dragonflies (as well as birds) for you to discover.
How and What to See: Loop #3--the Coastal Loop--As Example
The Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has also published a handy, well-organized--and free--guidebook to help steer you along the course of your choice. I started on the Seashore to Cypress Loop. The route goes to the First Landing State Park, Virginia's most popular state park, consisting of 2,900 acres with beach, back dunes, upland forest, tidal marsh and cypress swamp. The name is derived from the belief that this is the point where the first western settlers stepped foot on this continent. Next up is Fort Story, the actual landing site (Note: access may be restricted for security reasons, so have your photo ID handy). I then visited an old 1,000-acre plantation, the Francis Land House to check out the muskrats, fiddler crabs and turtles, Great Neck Park for spotting nuthatches, pine warblers, ospreys and the occasional bald eagle and Beach Garden Park, home to multiple varieties of butterflies due to its weed margins, and then on to the Virginia Marine Science Museum, for its exhibits, aquarium and interpreted wetland trail along a creek. An optional visit near here could be made to the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum, as well.
Continue on to the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge, which has 8,700 acres of beaches, dune, woodland, farm fields and marsh (ducks, anyone?), and then to False Cape State Park, considered one of the last relatively undisturbed coastlines on the Eastern shore. Next is Little Island (for dolphins), Lotus Gardens (for canoe trips), Princess Anne Wildlife Management Area (for puddle ducks), followed by Munden Point Park (for canoeing and kayaking).
Taking this trail, you'll end up at Stumpy Lake, 1,400 acres that includes a lake, a golf course and woodlands filled with butterflies and the Norfolk Botanical Garden, featuring manicured gardens, canals, boat tours and more butterflies--the garden claims to be one of the largest and most productive butterfly gardens on the Trail.
Leaving the Trail: Attractions in Nearby Norfolk
Among the deservedly popular attractions in Norfolk are the battleship Wisconsin of World War II fame, and the Black Union Civil War Veterans Memorial, the South's only commemoration of an individual black Union Civil War veteran, making it simultaneously honorable and shameful. The Chrysler Museum of Art is an outstanding spot, with more than 30,000 objects, the Phantoms Restaurant and a theater. The Douglas MacArthur Memorial is fascinating, if only because his tomb is so similar to that of Napoleon in Paris. Virginia's only official U.S. Navy museum is the Hampton Roads Naval Museum, next to the USS Wisconsin, and well worth a visit.
The Moses Myers House is said to be the only U.S. historic house interpreting traditions of 18th-century Jewish immigrants. NAUTICUS, the National Maritime Center, has interactive science and technology displays exploring the power of the sea. You can also visit the Naval Station Norfolk (call ahead) or the Norfolk Botanical Garden, mentioned earlier, which has its own café and boat and train tours. (To read our reviews of these attractions, click on the names highlighted in red.)
Virginia Is Still For Lovers--and "Fighters" and Wine Drinkers and More
Virginia provides for visitors who aren't particularly interested in birds and wildlife with other programs. You'll find something for shoppers, wine-lovers, Civil War buffs, one for African American Heritage & Culture, and another for golfers
Ask for the "Shop Virginia" brochure from the state's tourism office (see below). It gives you instructions on the top ten shopping areas, plus some discount offers on Amtrak and at these centers: Fashion Center at Pentagon City, Leesburg Corner Premium Outlets, MacArthur Center, Potomac Mills, Regency Square, Tyson's Corner Center.
Get a copy of the 64-page Virginia Wineries Festival & Tour Guide for information on more than 60 participating firms. You can apply for a "Passport" to take along on visiting these places, and if you get ten or more stamps from the sites, you can return it to the Virginia Wine Marketing Office to get a prize (more if you get 20 stamps). Ask the Tourism Corporation (see below) or contact the Wine Marketing Office at PO Box 1163, Richmond VA 23218, phone 800/VA VINES, for your booklet and passport.
If you're a Civil War buff, get in touch with the Tourism Corporation or ask someone from Civil War Trails at 888/CIVIL WAR, Web site www.civilwar-va.com, address 550 East Marshall Street, Richmond VA 23219. They have a splendid little brochure that contains excellent maps and a timeline of the war, along with a condensed history.
Get a free copy of The Heritage & Culture of African Americans in Virginia by contacting the Virginia Tourism Corporation at the address below. This 36-page booklet contains a brief history of African Americans in the state, plus a good guide to more than 100 sites around the commonwealth, complete with maps and photos. One such site is the Jamestown Settlement, where the first documented African in British North America arrived as early as 1619, a year before the Pilgrims hopped ashore up on Cape Cod. There are also nine Heritage Theme Tours, including one each for Richmond and Alexandria.
The 80-page Golfing 2002 Guide lists more than 200 courses throughout the Old Dominion, with yards, pars, and the like.
Lodgings
Several chain hotels in Norfolk and vicinity are offering discounts. Among them:
Best Western Center Inn says you should ask for their "Best Rate" (BR) to get up to 20% off the rack rate, with free coffee and tea, hair dryer, iron and ironing board included. Contact them at 800/338-8015 or at www.bwmidatlantic.com.
At the Howard Johnson Express Inn located in nearby Newport News, you should ask for the Hottest Deals or LPHT rate. Also, kids stay free if they are 17 and under and sleep in their parents' room with existing bedding. They get a free Crayola FunPack, too. Contact them at 800/I-GO-HOJO or at www.hojo.com.
The Lake Wright Quality Suites & Sleep Inn, back in Norfolk, participates in a special discount program, subject to availability and blackout dates. Ask for the Virginia Lovers Rate when you reserve at 888/424-4777. Expires January 1, 2003. The hotel says it is the only hotel in all of Hampton Roads with a championship golf course on the premises. Breakfast is complimentary. Amenities include a swimming pool, game room, fitness facility, convenience store, business center and free airport shuttle. Their own Web site is www.lakewrighthotel.com.
At the Ramada Limited in Norfolk, you can get 25% off regular rack rates when you ask for plan code LPGU. You can join the Club Ramada when you sign in at the front desk (no charge). This offer is good through December 30, 2002 and is subject to availability or changes. Blackout periods may apply. You can join Club Ramada also by phoning 800/6-RAMADA or logging on to www.clubRamada.com. For reservations in Norfolk, phone 800/2-RAMADA or go to www.ramada.com.
Additional Resources and Where to Get Those Guides
For free general information on Virginia (such as their excellent Virginia Travel Guide) and the brochures referred to above, contact the Virginia Tourism Corporation at 800/VISIT VA or 804/786-4484. The Web site is www.virginia.org.
Individual copies of the guide, Discover Our Wild Side--Virginia Birding & Wildlife Trail, Coastal Area, can be had at no cost by calling toll free 866/VA BIRDS or going online at www.dgif.state.va.us. Maps and site information will also be available directly on the Web site.
For highway travel information, contact the Virginia Department of Transportation at 804/367-ROAD or at www.virgniaDOT.org.