Archive for December, 2011
Friday, December 30th, 2011 by Sherry Friel
Natural Photographer and blogger Sherry Friel shares insight about the joy she experiences while capturing wonders of nature in Virginia Beach.
An Indescribable Peace at Bayville Farms Park
 Photo credit: Sherry Friel
I had suffered a great personal loss around the time my husband presented me with a new digital camera for Christmas. So while I was excited about receiving such a thoughtful present, it stayed in the camera bag for some time before I finally decided to venture outdoors with it. Maybe it was the cold weather, winter blues or gray skies, but I just wasn’t immediately inspired to attempt anything beyond pictures by the Christmas tree.
After the holidays, my friend Beth and I gathered the kids and headed out to the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center. We were chatting about cameras and photography when we suddenly realized we had the same model Nikon. Figuring we could learn from each other about settings and some of the more technical aspects of photography, we planned an outing dedicated to capturing some highlights of the winter season. Now, I am a big baby when it comes to wintery days. In fact, I am writing this blog seated in front of a toasty fire wearing a sweater, fleecy jacket, jeans, and thick wool socks. It’s not that cold, but I’m not taking any chances. So on the frigid January morning of our walk through Bayville Farms Park, I bundled up in a long wool coat, hat, scarf, and wind-resistant gloves.
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Tags: Bayville Farms Park, outdoors in Virginia Beach, Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center
Posted in Living the Life, The Beach Report, The Great Outdoors
Friday, December 23rd, 2011 by Katherine Jackson
This week’s Beach Report features Walking Tour Guide Katherine Jackson as she chronicles a lovely winter walk in Virginia Beach.
Winter Walking
 Photo credit: Katherine Jackson
Although the weather is a bit cooler now, it’s still plenty warm for walking, especially when you choose a path that’s sheltered from the wind. A paved, shared-use path tucked behind the Cape Henry Plaza on Shore Drive is a good place for an afternoon walk. Along with a handful of other walkers and runners, I started from the shopping center parking lot and headed east. The first part of the trail passes through backyards and side-yards in several neighborhoods. In addition to the chrysanthemums, pansies, and late season roses in residents’ gardens, holiday decorations and wreaths were fun to see. After seven tenths of a mile, the path narrows and enters the woods in First Landing State Park.
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Tags: Chesapeake Bay, First Landing State Park, longhouses, walking trails in Virginia Beach, winter fun in Virginia Beach
Posted in Living the Life, The Beach Report, The Great Outdoors
Thursday, December 22nd, 2011 by Sherry Friel
 Clouds at First Landing by Sherry Friel
I’m guilty and there is photographic evidence of my transgression. I confess that one day last week, I neglected work, decorating, gift wrapping, and all the details of holiday madness that has everyone using words such as “overwhelmed” and “swamped.” And if you’re not overwhelmed, well, you’re most certainly guilty of something. Today has me reliving last week’s day of play at First Landing State Park, on one of those gloriously warm winter days we get blessed with regularly in Virginia Beach. When the forecast predicts an unseasonably warm day, locals have been known to drop everything and head outdoors.
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Tags: First Landing State Park, outdoor fun in Virginia Beach
Posted in Beaches, Living the Life, The Great Outdoors
Friday, December 16th, 2011 by Teresa Diaz
We’re getting down to the wire………only 12 hours left to enter your favorite holiday recipe in our contest to win an all expense paid trip for two to Virginia Beach. Last week we blogged about it right here on ShoreLines. Have YOU entered yet? No worries, there’s still time - the contest ends at midnight tonight!
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Tags: 12 Day of Christmas Coastal Food Tours Getaway Giveaway, Boardwalk Food Tour, Culinary Institute of Virginia, Granby Street Food Tour, Vir, Virginia Beach
Posted in Culinary / Dining, Events, Living the Life, The Beach Report
Thursday, December 15th, 2011 by Mike Halperin
 Two citation stripers of 57 lb., 7 oz. and 41 lbs. were recently caught at the High Rise Bridge of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel! Recent cold fronts, falling water temperatures, and ample schools of bait have signaled the return of migratory bass to Chesapeake Bay. Rockfish of 40 or more inches and 30 or more pounds are now here. A variety of methods work to land these trophy bass including wire lining, eeling, and chunking. Battle grounds for these whoppers are the northern section of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel from the 12-mile post to the High Rise Bridge area north to Plantation Light.
Smaller bass in keeper slot size, 18- to 28-inches, are being taken by jigging and casting. Surface plugs such as Wind Cheaters and poppers are perfect for the rock islands and pilings of the CBBT. Lynnhaven surf casters are fishing fast current, a perfect situation to fish for stripers. Prime Lynnhaven fishing has been at night. Inlet experts are using 1- to 4-oz. lead jigs coupled with 4-inch Sassy Shads, 6-inch curly tail grubs, or 7-inch pink Zooms. Bass from 37- to 40-inches have been landed with these methods. Many anglers have been rewarded with limits of striped bass. Remember, even BIGGER bass are due to inhabit Virginia Beach waters in the days ahead.
 Virginia Beach is the striped bass capital of the world
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Tags: bluefin tuna, bluefish, blueline tilefish, Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, Flounder, puppy drum, Rockfish, saltwater fishing, speckled trout, striped bass, Tautog, tilefish, yellow bellied rosefish
Posted in Fishing, Living the Life, The Great Outdoors
Wednesday, December 14th, 2011 by admin
Enjoy this post courtesy of ShoreLines guest blogger Joe Laing, Marketing Director for El Monte RV Rentals.
 Photo courtesy of El Monte RV
Fishing, paddling, hiking, biking or simply enjoying magnificent views — that’s what RV travelers to Virginia Beach can experience on their camping vacation. Mix in a visitor-friendly atmosphere and you’ve got the perfect place to park your RV.
An unforgettable Virginia Beach RV excursion begins with a remarkable coastal setting and expands to include nearly any kind of outdoor adventure. Come along as we describe just a few of the ways RV camping in Virginia Beach can become your favorite memory.
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Tags: Back Bay, camping in Virginia Beach, Cheasapeake Bay, False Cape State Park, RV travel, Sandbridge Beach, Virginia Beach Oceanfront
Posted in Accommodations, Adventure Travel, Beaches, Living the Life, The Great Outdoors
Friday, December 9th, 2011 by Teresa Diaz
Sharing recipes and getting together to cook for the holidays is a favorite American past-time and this year, it could also land someone an all expense paid trip to “Live the Life” in Virginia Beach.
With holiday celebrations in full swing, families across the country are spending extra hours in the kitchen whipping up tried-and-true recipes for perfect holiday meals, the tastiest treats and the most delectable hors d’oeuvres. The Virginia Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau has created the “12 Days of Christmas” Coastal Food Tours Getaway Giveaway Contest, a virtual cooking competition which will earn the winner a three-day, two-night stay in Virginia Beach for two people, with the chance to experience the new Coastal Food Tours program.
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Tags: 12 Day of Christmas Coastal Food Tours Getaway Giveaway, Boardwalk Food Tour, Culinary Institute of Virginia, Granby Street Food Tour, recipe contests, Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Beach Facebook page
Posted in Culinary / Dining, Events, Living the Life, The Beach Report, Travel Deals
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