Shorelines Blog :: Virginia Beach

An Early American Walk

April 23rd, 2012 by Katherine Jackson

Ferry Plantation House by Casey Holtzinger

Early American settles recognized the Lynnhaven River, one of Virginia Beach’s spectacular natural resources, as an important resource for food, water and transportation. As a result, the Bayside area of the city has a number of historic sites along the river, some dating back to the sixteen and seventeen hundreds. One recent afternoon, I mapped out a five-mile walk that allowed me to see three historic sites I had never seen before. I started the walk from the parking lot at the Pembroke Meadows Wayside, a peaceful park on the water’s edge at the end of Pembroke Boulevard. (For a map of the area, search for Pembroke Meadows Wayside, Virginia Beach on MapQuest). At the far end of the small park, a paved walking path traverses a marsh and lets out on Cheswick Lane, just down the street from the Ferry Plantation House. Built in 1830, this ten-room brick house faces the Western Branch of the Lynnhaven River, and in its heyday, provided lodging and food to travelers on the river.

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Tags: Ferry Plantation House, historic houses in Virginia Beach, Lynnhaven House, Old Donation Episcopal Church
Posted in History and Museums, Living the Life, With The Kids

The Beach Report – April 20, 2012

April 20th, 2012 by Teresa Diaz

Did you know you can buy tickets to many local attractions and events without waiting in line? Have you ever thought about how cool it would be to bypass the crowds waiting to get into Busch Gardens and breeze right into the park, headed right toward your favorite ride? It’s not a fantasy! You can actually live out this dream of convenience by making a pit-stop right before you hop on I-264 North. If you’re on Atlantic Ave., just head North on 22nd Street toward the interstate. Just before the interstate begins is a traffic signal; look to the left and you’ll see a single story white building. Hang a left (onto Parks Ave.) and then a quick right and you’ll be in the parking lot (landmark – three flags) of the Virginia Beach Visitors Information Center (locally referred to as the VIC). Whether it’s your first visit to Virginia Beach or you’re a guest who comes to see us every year, a visit to the VIC is well worth it. Not only can you purchase advance sale tickets to a slew of attractions, events and festivals, the VIC staff is super friendly and oh-so knowledgeable. Many of the staff are locals who have lived in Virginia Beach for years, so they’re excellent resources for info on “everything Virginia Beach.” Need pet-friendly lodging? The VIC staff can help. Want to know where our public kayak and canoe launches are? Just ask the folks at the VIC. Interested in finding out about local farms so you can to take a ride out to “the county” for a bit of fresh strawberry picking? Yup, they’ll know at the VIC! The VIC also carries a full inventory of various guides, leaflets, maps, and rack cards highlighting local fun spots as well as regional attractions. Virginia Beach is located within a short drive of many interesting places, making day trips to areas beyond the beach within reach. You can venture out for the day and be back at the Oceanfront before you know it, preparing for a leisurely stay of Living the Beach Life.

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Tags: Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, living the life, on the water in Virginia Beach, Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Beach Visitors Information Center
Posted in Living the Life, The Beach Report

A Walk in the Woods

April 16th, 2012 by Katherine Jackson

As much as I like beach walking, I also enjoy a walk in the woods. In previous posts, I recommended several of the wooded trails at First Landing State Park. Now I can recommend another great place to walk in the woods: the Stumpy Lake Natural Area. Located on Indian River Road in the southern part of Virginia Beach, Stumpy Lake Natural Area offers a mile and a half loop through the woods as well as a launch for kayaks and canoes. If it’s solitude you seek, this is the place.

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Tags: canoeing in Virginia Beach, First Landing State Park, kayaking in Virginia Beach, Stumpy Lake Natural Area, walking trails in Virginia Beach
Posted in Living the Life, The Great Outdoors

Another Virginia State Record Falls!

April 15th, 2012 by Mike Halperin

Dr. Ken Neill (pictured) nabbed this state record breaking 24 lb., 3 oz. tautog at the Triangle Wrecks

Sure enough, with such a warm winter, many favorite local fish have already made their appearance. Early arrivals include red drum, bluefish, flounder, spot, croaker, speckled trout, sea mullet, and tautog. Tautog continue to be a real hot bite. Anglers dropping crab baits on inshore or offshore structure and wrecks have been well rewarded. Several Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament citations (9 lbs. or heavier) were registered with some fish pushing up to almost 15 pounds including the absolute monster tog pictured at left. Fishing alone, 30 miles offshore in a dense fog at the Triangle Wrecks, Dr. Ken Neill knew the bite he had was a big fish. Once he initially weighed the fish on a boat scale, Ken quickly departed the Morgan wreck where he had been fishing, and headed straight to Rudee Inlet to weigh his fish on a certified scale. It is now official: his 24 pound, 3 ounce tautog is a new Virginia state record. The prior mark had stood for 25 years at 24 pounds. Dr. Neill’s fish, caught using 50 lb. Power Pro line, was just shy of the current 25 pound world record tautog. Interestingly, only the day before, Ken had caught his first 15 pound tog. Congratulations to Dr. Neill on this fine angling accomplishment as we kick off the 2012 fishing season!

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Tags: blueline tilefish, Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, croaker, golden tilefish, grouper, saltwater fishing, Sea Bass, speckled trout, striped bass, wreck fish, yellow bellied rosefish
Posted in Fishing, Living the Life