West Ghent is a quiet area of town but can be the perfect place to spend a morning or afternoon. We found our way there with friends a week or two ago and visited some of our favorite Ghent spots and sights -- and found some new ones to explore as well. Our walk started off on Redgate Avenue, looped down to the Chelsea neighborhood, and back. All in all, we spend about three hours exploring, and saw some really amazing things.

The first was the Wishing Tree on the median on Redgate. You can't miss it, with the rectangles of bright paper fluttering from its branches. Feel free to write and leave your wish, and then spend a little time reading and reflecting on others. (NOTE: there were pencils and paper provided when we went but you might want to put some markers or crayons in your bag to bring along if you want something brighter and more colorful).

If you keep walking down Redgate to Langley, you'll reach the Elizabeth River Trail, which runs by the river for over nine miles. If you head one way you'll reach Norfolk State University; the other and you'll eventually get to Harbor Park. But in the meantime you can experience the river ecosystem and stretch your legs on this walking and bicycle trail.

If you head north on the trail, one of the sights you can see is the Weyanoke Bird and Wildflower Sanctuary, which we wrote about years ago for My Active Child. We love this sleepy, simply, but beautiful spot. The park is maintained by the Cape Henry Audubon Society and open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays (though you can call ahead to arrange a visit).

On your way back, stop for coffee and a scone at the Bakehouse at Chelsea. We LOVE their wood-fired pizza!

The Atlantic Coast Kite Festival is one of the things that makes the Virginia Beach area so special! It's a two-day event in early May each year (for 13 years running), the first day at the Oceanfront being the one that appeals to most of the professionals and the biggest crowds. But the second day, at Portsmouth City Park, is the one we like as it's smaller and more kid-friendly (and easier to find parking, which is a big factor with kids, let's be honest.) We went last weekend with friends and the kids in our group are still talking about it almost two weeks later.

There are several different areas at the Portsmouth festival: one for amateurs with their homemade and store-bought kites, and one for the pros, with their giant sky-dancing creations. There's a judging ring: for the kite competition, with prizes for beginners all the way up, and a spot for kids to compete in the parachute race. There's a kiosk where you can learn to make your own kite from master kite-builder Archie Stewart. And in between there's all the fun that Portsmouth City Park has to offer.

But you don't need to wait for May to fly a kite in Hampton Roads! We love any beach or Mt. Trashmore for flying ours. Where are your favorite kite-flying spaces?

A week or so ago we made a brief visit to Bennett's Creek Park in Suffolk with our friends. The park features a playground, skate park, and fishing pier, but our favorite part was climbing rocks and exploring the tiny beach down by the Nansemond River. It was incredibly muddy but that's spring, isn't it? Tons and tons of mud. An added plus: on your way out you can stop by Bennett's Creek Farm Market for some of their amazing she-crab soup, yum!



We've had a lot going on lately, including a trip to Asheville (such a gorgeous town!), Easter (here's A. and G. in their finery), and oh, yeah, by the way, Anouk turned FIVE last week. Five! Can you believe it? We made our annual donation to March of Dimes in honor of our former preemie and if you haven't already made other plans for your charitable giving, we hope you will, too.

A few weeks ago, James's parents came to visit and we spent an afternoon at Bluebird Gap Farm, one of our favorite weekend spots. That October day the Hampton Master Gardener's display garden was in bloom with fall pretties and we spent some extra time exploring it. A lot of time, actually -- there was a lot to see.

The garden is bigger than it looks from a distance, divided into beds for flowering plants, veggies and fruits, bulbs, grasses, and evergreens. There's a scent garden and rain garden and spots to showcase things like bog plants and compost and xeriscaping (A. and I loved poking around the Bug House and I think we might end up making one for our own yard?). Oh, and there's also a little free library full of books on nature and gardening manuals. Don't forget that. (We brought home Manfish, which has started us on a journey of all things Jacques Cousteau).

Most people head to Bluebird Gap for the animals but the garden is worth a trip in itself. And if you're thinking of visiting, make sure to stop in for the Bluebird Gap fall festival this Saturday (Nov. 21). More info about that here.




If you're looking to enjoy this fair fall weather and get outside a little more before it gets cold, check out our #HRVA Garden Guide here. 

We found ourselves in Smithfield over the weekend, and after lunch (at Wharf Hill Brewery) and some window shopping (on adorable Main Street), we went for a walk in Windsor Castle Park. Right smack dab in the middle of the historic district, it seemed like all the paths we encountered led to the park. So of course we had to explore. 

The park is a fairly new endeavor for Smithfield, with walking and biking trails, a dog run, boardwalks spanning the marshland and a playground in the works. Travel a little further down the road and you'll get to the boat launch on the banks of the Pagan River, with kayaks and paddle boards available to rent for hourly rates.

The castle of the park's name is an historic house dating from the late 1700s with a vineyard of a more recent date taking root out front. Anne had a great time running around on the grass in front of the manor and James had an equally stellar time chasing her (while I watched from a safe, stationary distance. Too hot!)

We didn't get to explore quite as much as we would have liked but we can't wait to go back in the fall and spring and see what's new at Windsor Castle. For those of you who don't feel like waiting that long, the Bacon, Bourbon, and Beach Music Fest is coming up at the park in early October!

It really cannot be overstated how truly adorable the town of Smithfield is. What's your favorite place to check out there? I know we'll be wanting to go back.

The weather has been getting warmer, which means we can get back into hiking, one of our favorite family pastimes. Our old go-to hiking spot ahas long been First Landing State Park, but recently our new favorite place is Newport News Park, which features 30 miles of hiking and biking trails (among many other amenities).

Our favorite kid-friendly trail at the park is definitely the Twin Forts trail, a small .7-mile loop trail that takes you over mostly flat ground by the Lee Hall Reservoir. Not only does it start with a beautiful walk down the wood bridge that takes you over the reservoir, it then leads you past some pretty amazing Civil War fortifications left over from the Battle of Yorktown.
Besides that, the trail is teeming with wildlife -- while we were there we saw swans, ducks, frogs, turtles, and what we are pretty sure was a couple of beavers splashing around in the water. And it's just a very pretty walk all around.

There are longer hikes for older kids -- and some that would be fun for parents, too -- click here for a complete map of trails.