A Great Virginia State Park (Concurrently published on myLot.)

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K and I had a great week at Pocahontas State Park. We began last Saturday with two beautiful days of hiking and culminated yesterday with a nearly 2-mile-long kayaking paddle up Swift Creek Lake and back. (See map above.)

K had Sophie with her, and the pup became antsy after a while, so we turned back. Otherwise, we might have gotten in another 2 miles or so. The afternoon was just warm enough and overcast enough to be pleasant without getting baked or frozen. 

Ace no longer joins me on kayaking trips. He'd rather stay on the couch at the camper and snooze. He's also given up all but the shortest hikes. It's sad to see a dog that once practically pulled me up mountain trails fade after only 1/2 a mile. But, hey, he still enjoys that 1/2 mile with "dad." 

We made a couple of friends while we were there. Our camp hosts, Dave and Phyllis were a very nice retired couple who stay long-term at the park and help the rangers and staff in exchange for free camping. This is a job K and I are looking into as a possibility when I retire if we can find someplace at one of the state parks here in NC close enough to her workplace. 

Another friend we made was Megan, one of the camp staff. She is a very pleasant young lady we first met at the Camp Store. Well-behaved dogs are allowed in, and Sophie immediately caught her attention. She, K, and I chatted a bit before K picked out a magnet and I picked out a lapel/hat pin - our usual choices for souvenirs. 

The next evening, which was Easter, Megan and a few of the other staffers - one dressed as the Easter Bunny - went around the park handing out Easter bags of goodies to the campers. After they left our site, Megan came back on her way to sign out for the day and we invited her to stop in for some of K's delicious Easter Egg Hunt Pie. Megan couldn't stay but took a piece to go. 

This morning, before leaving, I went up to the store to buy K a t-shirt she mentioned liking when we were there earlier. In the hope I might see Megan, I took a signed copy of Buzby Beach Homecoming with me as a present for her. She was just on her way out to work at the entry gate when I arrived and seemed thrilled to receive the book. 

K and I got to chat briefly with Megan once more when we left. She was working at the gatehouse and engaged in spraying wasps when we drove up. We told her how much we'd enjoyed our stay and how we were looking forward to returning soon. She said we'd better make sure to find her and say hi when we do. 

As we drove away, I suggested to K that the next time we camp at Pocahontas, we invite Megan and her husband to join us for dinner around the campfire one night. K agreed wholeheartedly. 

Now, we're home and have the weekend to get ready for the grind to begin on Monday.

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