Rich and I took our 15 month old, Sarah Joy, to Virginia Beach with us almost three weeks ago.  The timing couldn’t have been better, as the week after we went, this area was hit by hurricane Irene.  Our thoughts and prayers are with the people recovering here. 

Our favorite breakfast spot when we were there became CITRUS BREAKFAST AND LUNCH.  It was a bright, busy, and happy eating place that my iphone handily informed me was a favorite of the locals.  I had eggs benedict the first morning, with grilled shrimp and parmesan crusted tomatoes(!), and a crab omelet the second morning.  The coffee was great, and we even tried fresh juiced watermelon (sweet!) With breakfasts like these, lunch is not necessary.

Lunch is not necessary, no, but a brisk walk afterwards, is.

After breakfast on that particular Monday morning, knowing that we had an afternoon of flying ahead of us to get home, Rich and I decided to visit an interesting park (also handily found and highly rated, on my iphone) for an after-a-large-breakfast-constitutional.

MOUNT TRASHMORE PARK

With a name like this, you wonder, is that big hill, that small mountain drawing our eyes to it like a magnet, in the park, really made of TRASH?

Yes, yes it is.

You just HAVE to go up it, you can’t help yourself.  This is my husband on top of the treeless Mount Trashmore.  It was overcast and windy with a hint of rain in the air, when we visited.  There were many other visitors as well, all intent on walking, jogging, or other athletic pursuits.  In fact, I noticed one very limber man clothed only in his wind shorts and bare feet, RUNNING up and down the grassy hill, over and over.  (This was a big hill!)  Some people are just very enthusiastic about running around outside.  Bless them.

My husband, I know, would have loved to run.  But, he matched his pace to mine and we enjoyed walking together around the perimeter and up and down the hill.

He did stop to do a few beautifully executed chin-ups. (that’s the hill behind him)

We admired the ceilings in the picnic pavilions, handsome, yes?

The walking trail was lovely…..I found some (what I thought were) tiny champagne grapes dangling from the trees and had Rich taste one.  He spit it out and asked was I trying to kill him?  As we laughed, I was reminded of Eve and told him that the men really should learn to stop eating strange fruits given to them by their wives. 

I saw a huge cicada bug in the trees, and got a close look at it, only to  have it fly out and hit me on the side of the head.  I controlled my sudden impulse to run, screaming, and instead calmly walked to Rich and asked him to check my hair (no bugs).

After that, I stayed on the walking trail.

Aren’t park benches inviting?

It was a lovely walk and such a treat with Sarah.  When we put her down, she didn’t run away, she didn’t throw herself into the lake, no…she simply stayed put with mama, or practiced stepping up and down off the paved trail.  The difference between the older brothers and herself never ceases to surprise me. 

More Information:

World-renowned Mount Trashmore Park is 165 acres, 60 feet high, over 800 feet long, and was created by compacting layers of solid waste and clean soil. Recognized for its environmental feat, the park features the Water Wise demonstration garden that boasts xeriscaping where you can learn how to create a beautiful garden with minimal water requirements.

Park is open from 7:30 a.m. until posted closing time. Facilities include picnic shelters, playground areas, volleyball courts, parking, vending machines and restrooms, plus an extensive street course Skate Park which includes a seven-foot deep bowl and a massive 13.5 ft tall vert ramp.

The park also has a walking trail that measures approximately 1.45 miles. Trail maps are available at Park Office.

No private boats are allowed on this lake, but fishing is allowed.

from the Virginia is for Lovers website