Trip to Douthat State Park

We make it a point, where ever we live, to see as much of the state as possible.  1) Why not? and 2) you never know how long you'll be in a place so you better take advantage of the time and the different things to see and do!  We have always wanted to go into Bath County which is in VA but on the border of West VA.  

Back in June, I got this urge to go camping and take Jeffery back out into the woods.  However....I was NOT keen on being 7 months pregnant and sleeping in a tent and dealing with the heat and humidity of June in VA and so on.  But VA delivered!  Most of their State Parks provide Cabins to rent at really reasonable rates...so we just had to decide on where to go.  Our attention almost immediately turned towards Bath County.  

Douthat State Park straddles Bath and Alleghany County and was exactly what we were looking for.  So, last week...we took off on what will be our final vacation as a family of 3.  :)  Our first stop was the town of Clifton Forge (just outside Douthat State Park) and the C&O Railway Heritage Center.  Dave was in train heaven.  Turns out the path of the track for the C&O dates back to Washington's time when he was obsessed with bringing the wealth of resources from the West (the West = the edge of the Ohio River Valley and east) to the Tidewater area like VABeach via a canal.  The Canal never materialized but in 1850, the railroad tracks were laid and his vision was realized.

My train engineers

The historic Greenbrier Train

A C&O Caboose

Our next stop was to check into our cabin.  It was built in 1933 by the CCC and was rustic but very homey....AND had air conditioning!  Bliss!!!!!!!!  We were very happy with our little home away from home and it was perfect for Jeffery....especially at night and when it rained!  :)

Our cabin

The living area

Dave filled the mantle with Jeffery's toys....well....except for the Bushmills!  :)

Reading his C&O Train magazine

View of Douthat Lake from the porch of our cabin

Sitting in a big boy chair

So happy to be on vacation

Our first full day was spent avoiding the rain in the morning and then attending a "Snake Capers" presentation for little kids.  Jeffery was the youngest BY FAR and I have a feeling that Dave benefited more from the presentation but we still had fun.  :)  And Dave and Jeffery got to make their first Arts and Crafts project together......a snake made out of a paper plate.  So appropriate!  :)  Jeffery colored with daddy and I couldn't tell who was having the better time!

Getting crafty

Even though it was still overcast...we decided to put our feet in the lake.  Jeffery ran straight for the water...and then when his feet touched the cold water, thought better of it.  But Dave eventually coaxed him into the lake and they had a great time!

Gaining confidence in the water

Splish-Splash

Swinging with daddy

We then returned to the cabin for Jeffery's nap and some down time in the evening.

Some quiet reading with Bo (his bear)....

....and on top of daddy

The following day was spent exploring our surrounding area.  We went into the VA town of Covington, stood in awe at the beauty of Falling Springs waterfall, and enjoyed a little stroll around the historic Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, VA.  We then returned home to the cabin, enjoyed the dam/spillway of the lake and let Jeffery play on one of the playgrounds to get his wiggles out.

Falling Springs

The Pedersens in front of Falling Springs

The Historic Homestead Resort....originally built in 1766

Douthat Lake Dams/Spillways

Sadly, all good things must come to an end.  The next day, Saturday, was our final morning in our new find.  We checked out and headed back to the lake for some water time before completely leaving the State Park and heading home.  Jeffery was even more confident this time in the water and in daddy's arms, ventured out into the deeper part of the swim area of the lake.  Dave "dunked" him (up to his neck) and Jeffery just couldn't get enough!!!  :)

Trip back to the Lake....watching the big kids dive off the board

Chasing daddy in the water

He found a stick to play with.  Imagine that!  :)

My tree hugger at a lunch picnic

Saying goodbye to Douthat State Park

Our trip to Douthat State Park was JUST what I was hoping it would be: a chance for Jeffery to get back out into the woods and nature, a break from our routine here in Richmond, and a last chance to get away as a family before the Stig arrives.  I HIGHLY recommend that anyone in VA visit Douthat State Park with their family.  It is a little slice of paradise and we are looking forward to returning....maybe in the dead of winter when the Stig is a couple months old.  It was just the perfect little vacation for our family and a chance to decompress from the chaos of the past 2 weeks and prepare ourselves for the upcoming 2 months.

No.  I haven't gone soft.  I still LOVE to camp.  But an air conditioned cabin with real beds and a fridge and stove and rocking chairs on the front porch is a beautiful thing when you're 7.5 months pregnant!  :)