First Day Hike 2015

In an effort to get on here more I decided the posts don't have to always be about the adventures we take.  There is something to be said for finding the extraordinary in the ordinary.  That is something I try to practice every day.  Maybe you will also find something extraordinary in my ordinary (not that anything this bunch does is ordinary).

I shared a picture yesterday from our 2015 First Day Hike....today I thought I would share a few of the other pictures from the park.

 

These were all from the Powhatan Trail at Pocohantas State Park in Chesterfield Virginia.  This trail was easy enough that we pushed Emma in a jogging stroller for the length and back of it (maybe 2 miles).  The temp was in the 40s but between the movement and being dressed warm everyone was cozy enough.  To get into the park there is a $5 parking fee or you can do like I did and get a life time pass.  Check out the Virginia State Park Website for info on that.  

The weekend is here and we have no big plans to travel.  I do plan on getting my Christmas decorations down and the January decorations up.  I also have a few plans for some 'winter crafts'....darn Pinterest! 

Happy New Year 2015!

 

Happy New Year from the Busy Bryant crew.  

We started our year with a hike at Pocohantas State Park.  The Virginia State Parks celebrate the new year by organizing and encouraging First Day Hikes.  This is our second year participating and it just seemed to set the tone for last year....lots of time outdoors and plenty of visits to new (to us) state parks.   I'm looking forward to doing both of those things in 2015!

Muddy Buddies

This last weekend Mark and I had the chance to crawl through mud on my hand and knees, ride a bike for just over 3 miles and run (for what seemed like our lives) through a muddy forest.  Periodically we would have to climb a cargo net and slide down an inflatable slide or crawl through a small man made tunnel.  There were a couple walls we had to get over and even a creek we had to get across.  All the while it was cold and it was rainy....but let me tell you....it was awesome!!!

Both Mark and I were asked to be on teams in the Columbia Muddy Buddy.  I was on team Cork Screws and Mark was on team Pulling Fourty!

Poor Jennifer was already soaked!

Are these shirts great or WHAT?

The race is a bike/run race through the forest and fields at Pocohontas State Park.  You start off with your "buddy" at the beginning.  One buddy is on the bike and the other buddy is on foot.  You bike or run to your first obstacle, do the obstacle and then switch off.  You do this a hundred six times....at least I think it was six.  About half way through I totally didn't know how many I had left or how many I had done.  The total package is just over 6 miles and the grand finale is a dive into the mud pit with your buddy.  This particular weekend we had amazing sunny and warm weather....right up until the morning of the race!  We woke up around 4 a.m. to rain and 50 degree weather.  So the entire course was nice and muddy and none too warm!  But I still have to say it was a great way to spend our Sunday morning...with our buddies!  Days after were all still comparing bruises and scratches.




The "clean" picture





On your marks....get set.....





Mark coming down a wall





Jennifer and I after the mud pit...crossing the finish line





The "dirty" picture


There was beer and music for the post race party but our tails were freezing and all we could think of was gettting WARM.  So no post race party for us.  The race itself was a great adventure.  I can't speak for everyone but I look forward to doing it again next year :)

Pocohontas State Park

I will be the first to admit that for years and years I never really took advantage of the many parks right here in my own back yard.  I went to Maymont Park enough and maybe Petersburg National Battlefield but never visited the State Parks, didn't go to my local children's parks unless there was a formal function and I can probably count on one hand the number of times I planned a trip just to look at leaves.  Actually that would have been never until last year.  But then something changed....no idea what but now I have a goal to visit every State Park and I can just about map out my local parks without looking. 

Close to a year ago I started looking at ways I could give back to the State Parks system.  Almost all of the State Parks have volunteer or "friend" groups and some offer host programs.  I live closest to Pocohontas State Park and wanted to put in some time there doing what I could.  I signed up online to volunteer and they contacted me with some needs they had.  I decided I would help with their recycling program and so now about every two weeks I make a trip to the park to help with recycling.  Once I'm there I just might go on a walk or sit for a bit under a big tree...maybe drop the kids off by the swimming pool with Mark :)





Pocohontas State Park



Swimming Pools

   


Part of the swimming facility

They have a huge swimming area for campers and visitors.  It's only open in the summer of course but when it is open it's usually packed!  There is a snack bar and area to eat right here within the pool area but there are also pavilions and picnic tables located around the outside of the pool area as well. 



The pavilions can be rented for special events.



Plenty of Picnic Tables

There are hiking, biking and horse trails all over the park.  You can fish, boat, kayak, play volleyball, lay on a blanket in the sun.  A few trails that I enjoy in particular are just over the foot bridge here....



Foot bridge to the other side.





In the summer you can rent a kayak.



Small Boat Ramp.

The family has also been to the park when I'm not here to work.  We have hiked, come here to swim, I have biked a small part of it (thought I would die doing it!) and we have come for school athletic events.  They have camping (both tent and RV), a dining hall for rental, a CCC museum, a Nature Center, and an amphitheater. 



Nature Center and Meeting Center.



CCC Museum



Going down!



There are so many more things to see at this park as well as all the other Virginia State Parks.  And while I was there Sunday I couldn't help but feel like a kid...when the wind would blow and all the leaves came falling down on me :)  I wanted to make a leaf pile and jump in.  I resisted! 




My favorite picture of the day. 









Monday Love

The Busy Bryants actually stayed put this weekend.  Sorta....mostly....kinda.  Well we didn't go on any trips!  But to say it wasn't a busy weekend would just be a lie!  We worked around the house, we worked outside the house, and we worked in our community. 

Mark and Tommy volunteered their Saturday cutting wood for a special need while I worked around the house getting things back in semi-order.  Since we haven't really been home on the weekends all that much it was looking like a bomb went off!  Then again with Emmapoo around it usually looks like that. 



Emma helping mommy :)

When Mark got home I worked on another project I have been wanting to get done for some time now.  A sorta rock garden/flower garden.  I needed something right next to the driveway to help keep the grass from growing right up next to it.  So I thought this would work....

And everyday I look outside my front door and think "I need to really do something out there" but the leaves are just sooo pretty that I hate to.  It reminds me of a yellow carpet.  So for now I've left it alone.



Looking out my front door!



I did work on getting some mulch down right in front of the house.  And it looks nice....even if I do say so myself.




I think a pretty Japanese Maple right here would be nice.

While I was busy cleaning these two were busy being silly.  But it worked out.  Christy kept Emma busy long enough for me to get done outside.



My two sock monkeys!


Sunday we didn't really slow it down by much.  I volunteer at Pocohontas State Park and headed over there right after breakfast.  I wish I had made the kids come along.  It was far too nice of a day to be inside.




Look at the colors!

Sunday afternoon wasn't bad.  Dinner was in the crock pot and I was able to pick up more mulch and more rocks to finish out the 'to-do' list for the weekend.  With the holidays coming we are planning on being around the general area more...so maybe I can get the rest of my list checked off!  Hope Monday is treating you well.