Adventures in False Cape

for the long 4th of july weekend this year, we met up with some friends to go on a biking/camping/kayaking trip. our friends had gone to this campsite a year ago, and loved the experience. it's at a location as far south in virginia as you can get before you are technically in north carolina. there's a secluded little state park called "false cape" that you can only get to by foot, bike or kayak. no cars allowed! it's situated on a narrow strip of land between the ocean and the bay, so you are never more than a few feet away from gorgeous waterfront views. 

http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/false-cape#general_information

the ride to get to the campsite goes through a wilderness refuge along back bay that is gorgeous. i had only ever seen this area from a boat. my family frequently stays at sandbridge (the area of virginia beach closest to false cape) and my dad would take his boat through this area of the bay. strange that in all my visits to virginia beach and sandbridge, i had never even known this park existed!

https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Back_Bay/about.html

here we are in the parking lot at the very south end of sandbridge. loading up our bikes and trailers, getting ready for the ride to our campsite! we had to leave SUPER early that morning to make sure we got a good parking spot. yes, that's me on the far left. cheesing to the camera....

the requisite "pre-ride" group shot. all lathered up with sunscreen and ready to go!

leaving the main road and entering the park!

tony was kind enough to take the bulk of the packing. he loaded up a bike trailer (the kind you see people pulling their kids in) with all of our gear. tents, food, sleeping bags, food, drinks, food and....food. we definitely pushed the weight limit for that trailer. but with some creative bungee cord maneuvering that resembled something from the beverly hillbillies? we got everything from point A to point B. and were very well fed!!

i'm not nearly a strong a biker as tony, so my carrying capacity was whatever i could fit in a back pack. it was a gorgeous late morning ride. sunny. mid 80's. light breeze. and the path was easy to ride. flat with packed gravel. 

once we arrived to our site. it was time for a celebratory drink! i had frozen a gallon of blackberry lemonade before leaving the house. the heat of the sun from the ride in had melted it into a perfectly slushy consistency by the time we were off our bikes. a healthy pour of bourbon into that lemonade? made for a perfect way to relax and congratulate ourselves on a safe and successful ride!

that night we all went out on a "sunset kayak tour" along the bay. i had never kayaked before, so was a little nervous. but it really did make for a gorgeous and relaxing way to explore the waterfront. and it was a beautiful evening for a sunset. and eagle watching!

tony and i shared a tandem kayak (which admittedly is not the easiest beast to control).  it is a test of relationship to see if two people can survive two hours in a tandem kayak like this. getting the timing of the oars right. getting the pressure of the strokes right. not splashing each other with water. we had our moments of frustration....i can see why they're called "divorce boats". but all in all we made the trip in one piece. and are still together!

the main wildlife that we encountered at false cape? (beside the mosquitoes....that managed to chew me up through copious amounts of deep wood off) we the most adorable little frogs! these little guys were EVERYWHERE. and when they croaked? it sounded like little sheep bleated. the trees would sing with these baby frogs all night and day.