With all of these beautiful mild days this winter we've had to really search for new places to go for family "hikes" (I use quotes because it's virtually impossible to actually hike in the Hampton Roads area, the best you can hope for is a nice flat pretty walk). But one of the prettiest nice flat walking places we've found on our travels is Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve, in the Western Branch area of Portsmouth.

Right in the middle of Hoffler Creek revolves is Lake Ballard. A trail that winds around the lake, with littler trails peek off from the main one like spokes. To explore each one would take the better part of an afternoon. During our last visit, we visited the kids trail, where A. had fun looking out for the yellow blazes that marked the path, a bird blind overlooking the river, and the Oyster Pier, where we saw baby oysters resting in protective baskets as part of a restoration project. There's also the homestead trail, leading to the site where the Ballard family used to live, and a Bluebird Trail, which is popular with birders.



Hoffler Creek is set up to get kids excited about nature, offering guides that point out native plants and giving kids the chance to look out for wildlife and mark them on a wildlife sighting map. An interactive play area is in the works. For bigger kids (with adult supervision), kayaks can be rented for a fee.

There are some exciting events coming up at Hoffler Creek this spring, including a volunteer work day (keep our area beautiful!) and a Spring Tasting Tour which will teach you to identify and cook with edible plants around the preserve. Read more and register 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.