Home is where the hike is

Apr 10

I’ve been wondering when years of living at the beach would inspire my artwork. Of course, it isn’t in the way you would think with waves and seashells but rather with the natural wilderness that is First Landing State Park. My first love, the southern landscapes of my childhood, are always present in my work. It’s hard to compete with walking out any door and immediately finding yourself within feet of wooded forest, fields, and lake views. I know those acres like the back of my hand but will never tire of walking as quietly as possible thru leaves and grasses and jumping over creeks after a heavy rain.

As much as I love being on that land, I have finally begun to appreciate the diversity of Virginia Beach. We are lucky enough to live a short drive to the ocean in one direction, the Chesapeake Bay in another with a State Park between the two. This park, formerly known as Seashore State Park is one of my family’s favorite places to go. Some of the trails are cool and woody and during fall, swampy waters hold rainbows. Other trails have high dunes that skirt the edge of the inlet. A warm, drizzly, rainy day is my favorite time to hike. The frogs and turtles are out in abundance. Occasionally, a fox or snake will cross your path and the world is blissfully quiet.