First Vacation of the Summer~ CHECK!!

So we survived our first vacation of SUMMER VACATION 2012~~~ The whole family went to Virginia Beach and it was a really great time with nice but WINDY weather!  I have to say I really do not have any complaints because we got to feel the sand between our toes EVERY day.  The beach was beautiful and it was nice to discover the surrounding area in Norfolk, VA (only 20 minutes from the ocean) and First Landing State Park.  My husband said we spent so much time at the state park we should have just camped!! Bahhh, well my response to his statement was, "I am able to enjoy this because I KNOW there is a HOT shower at the end of the day & a CLEAN bed waiting for me!"  

http://www.first-landing-state-park.org/

The first activity the WHOLE family enjoyed at the state park was a treasure hunt...Landlubbers & Scalleywags!  Adrien was reluctant to do this and just wanted to stay on the beach, apparently he thought the name sounded babyish?!  Much to his DELIGHT this was a REAL treasure hunt with a Garmin etrex electronic compass!   I might also add that the treasure hunt was free with your $4 paid car entry fee into the state park!  The KIDS had a BLAST!  Plus, the treasure at the end was SUPER cool with REAL metal DOUBLOONS & GEMS!

I have to admit I have camped at the beach in the past but I can't say I was a, "Happy Camper."  I don't mind camping...I DO mind packing, setting up the tent, cooking outside, washing or lack of washing outside, sand in my tent, packing it ALL UP only to come home and UNPACK ALL OF IT!  After spending SO much time @ this state park and seeing the cool camping sites on the beach I highly considering the possibility of camping there NEXT year!  Thanks to the amazing natural surroundings and the very friendly Park Rangers, Astrid, Luis, & Jennifer!  My daughter Fiona, is still singing, "Herman The WORM!"  Thanks Jennifer~

After the treasure  hunt we went over the bayside beach~  The wave were uncharacteristically STRONG, but still not a dangerous as the were on the VA oceanside!  There was definitely some STRONG wind but we still had a LOT of FUN!