The Dog Days Are Over

So, it’s been 6 months since my last post which started with, “It’s been almost a year to the day since my last post.”

Clearly, I’m either 1) not very committed to making updates to this blog any longer or 2) I haven’t been Escapimg enough.  I’d say it’s been a little bit of both, and I’d like to see that change.

For the last long weekend of the summer, I took the family +1 (T took a friend) to Twin Lakes State Park, which is a very easy drive west on Route 360 from Midlothian. In less than an hour you can Escape the bustle of western Chesterfield County for the bucolic serenity of Prince Edward county.

Twin Lakes, as the name suggests, consists of two lakes:  Goodwin Lake and the larger and quieter Prince George Lake.

cabin view

Until the early 1960’s, the two lakes were run as racially segregated parks. The two parks then merged in 1976 and became Twin Lakes State Park in 1986.

Apparently, Governor McDonnell proposed closing down the park in 2010 due to budget short falls. We can all be thankful that the Park did not close, and even more thankful that Virginia’s State Parks have grown in number since.

At the time I rented the cabin, there was only one available: Cabin #9.  Sitting lakefront with a screened porch, wonderful shade trees, and only one direct neighbor, it seemed to me the best cabin at the park.  Let’s just keep that our little secret.

Cabin #9

We spent the long weekend enjoying fishing, riding,  paddling, archery, playing Quarkle and a whole lotta chillin’.

The hammocks and screened porch got some serious abuse, and although the fish weren’t jumping on the lines, the ones that were caught were worth the wait.

 

 

I didn’t come her to catch no Bluegill

creek crossing on Otter’s Path trail

morning paddle

Robin Thugs

On Sunday, we took the short jaunt over to High Bridge State Park. We parked in Rice and rode to the bridge, where we took in the views, learned a little history of the bridge, and met Sal the albino corn snake (on loan from Twin Lakes). Two state parks in one weekend.  Not too shabby.

 

Starting point

Clown

the bridge

Sal the albino corn snake

homeward bound

As awesome as it was, it came to an end too soon and effectively marked the end of Summer.  Back in Midlo, we are preparing to go back to work and school.

 

The good times had and memories made at Twin Lakes will certainly have me looking forward to the next time I can Escape The Dreary Confines.  And maybe I’ll even write about it here.

the dog days

 

good night Summer