Powhatan State Park Walk

Photographs: © Lauren Johnson | Instagram: @laurenbexplorin_photography

(a photo gallery is at the end of the story)

...CONTINUED STORY FROM | HAWKSBILL SUMMIT HIKE - SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK

I decided to stop at Powhatan State Park on the way back from Hawksbill Summit, because what the heck else am I doing? By the time I finished eating my lunch it was only 1:45 pm.

Once we got there, there was nobody at the entrance to take payment. Whenever I come here, there is NEVER a person at the entrance! I'm honestly not sure if they even have any employees at this park at all. Also, this time they were even out of parking envelopes! They usually have at least a stack of those ready as your parking pass, but not this time. I took a photo of the empty container, just in case the Park Police asked me why I didn't pay.

Also, I've never actually seen the cop that resides in the park itself. I'm not even sure he's there either!

Either way, this just means I get privacy! No strangers walking up to me to ask me if everything is alright, or asking if i'm lost. Just FYI, I am always fine, and I am NEVER lost. This only creeps me out if i'm all alone, and it's the only person i've seen on the trail the entire time. I'm sorry if you're actually a nice person, but please, if I'm all alone, leave me alone. You can wave from a distance, at least I can run at that point.

I knew there was a trail there that isn't on the AllTrails map. I decided to record it for them! I'm really hoping it sticks, because I walk this trail EVERY TIME I come here, and I have no idea how it's not on the map. It's gravel paved! (River Trail) It's a nice and fairly flat trail, perfect for dogs and kids! It also leads you to a campsite.

You walk up the bank of the James River, until the trail just suddenly cuts off to become a dead end, with little to no notice. However, at the end of the trail, there are some pretty big trees (mostly River Birch) hanging over the edge of the water, and these trees make for some amazing photos! Be careful though, the tree I decided to sit on was pretty dead, and I don't expect that tree to be there much longer. There are other big trees there, but this one is my favorite. Also, if something is dying, it's best to leave it alone to live out the rest of it's natural life. After I took my photo, I made the executive decision to block off that tree with some orange tape I had, to ensure the rest of the natural life of that tree, my favorite tree.

After that, I did the Turkey Trot Trail.

I was not really impressed by Powhatan State Park, but its a really new park. So far, It only has just a few trails, and this park is definitely not for hiking...more like leisurely walks with the family.

After I finished my quests, I sat down in the middle of the road, (I was confidant I was the only person in the entire park), and I watched the sun set with my two best friends.

#powhatan #statepark #hikingwithdogs #walking