I have been beating myself up lately for my laziness. I always have a hard time getting myself going after winter. I know I will be complaining about the heat soon enough and that I need to get outdoors as much as I can. It is so good for me mentally and I always feel great afterwards.
I have been wanting to go to Dutch Gap Conversation Area of a long while. I would have gone sooner if it would have meant not driving down 95 South for 20 miles. I planned on going this morning and as soon as I woke up I told myself that wasn't going to happen. Somehow, after a cup of coffee, I convinced. myself to go.
The roads into Dutch Gap have a lot to be desired. I first thought I was near the waste treatment plant because of the buildings I saw but then I realized I was south of all of that. I later found out that Dominion Energy has an "ash field" there and that was what I was driving past. It was kind of depressing.
Dutch Gap is right next to Henricus Historical Park. There was absolutely no-one int he parking lot which was kind of creepy, but I had Luna with me so I wasn't worried. I knew from going on AllTrails that there was some sort of blockage on the circular trail and that I would have to double back eventually.
There was nothing growing at all. It was all brown and very little green. The path was really wide which was great for walking Luna. I didn't see anyone else out on the trails. The only people I saw were fishermen on the water and I wondered how they got their boats there.
I think it would be a better experience if it wasn't for the traffic from the highway that was constantly there. I appreciated being out there alone though, getting exercise and checking another trail off my list. The trail was also closed so I had to double back on the trail. We ended up hiking 6.3 miles. It took about 2 hours.
I came home and nature journaled everything I could remember. I did take a few photos of what I saw.
I am hoping to do a long hike every week. I am currently planning a long hike in the summer. I don't know if it will happen for sure but I think it would be a good idea to start training in case it does happen.
Thanks for reading!
