For many months leading into our move and our trip to Virginia Beach, Nugget was the world’s worst napper.  I got into the habit of loading him into the car seat and driving him around, both to get him out of our very small condo so that Peanut could nap, and also on the off chance I’d get a car snooze out of him as well.  It wasn’t the best routine, but it was working for us, so I continued it on vacation.  Most days, we went to Target (Nugget can continue snoozing in his car seat in the basket of the shopping cart, and he has slept through many a Tar-jay run) but a couple of times, we just tooled around and checked out the sights.  On one such drive, I discovered Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge about 45 minutes from Rebecca’s house.  Nugget was sound asleep, so I couldn’t justify waking him up, but I made a mental note to try to get back there for a hike if at all possible.  And on the final day of our vacation, we made it happen.

I drove down to the Sandbridge area, paid my way into the wildlife refuge, parked and waited for Nugget to wake up.  I gave myself a window of time to wait, and promised that I would give up the idea if he didn’t wake by 3:15, because at that point we’d really need to be heading back to the house.  As luck would have it, he woke up about twenty minutes after I parked the car, so I strapped him into Steve’s backpack and set off for an adventure with just my little guy.

Who’s ready to do some hiking?

I chose the “beach trail,” because that name sounded promising, and sure enough, I soon found myself kicking off my sandals, stepping off the boardwalk and into the soft white sand, with the waves rolling in just a few yards away.

We walked right up to the water and waded on in up to my ankles.  Nugget, Pisces that he is, desperately wanted to swim – but not only was he not in swimming clothes, but wildlife refuge rules prohibit swimming.  (I thought sloshing along with just my feet in the surf was probably okay, though.)  A couple of other ladies were wading nearby, and they seemed very interested in Nugget, but we weren’t in the mood to stop and talk, so I gave them a friendly wave and continued on down the beach.

We saw tons of ocean birds – gulls, sandpipers, and lots more varieties that I didn’t recognize – and once again I wished that I knew something about birds and birding.  It’s on the to-do list!

Having this view ahead of me for about three quarters of a mile was pure bliss.  I love beach walking, and this was the best beach walk I’ve ever taken – completely deserted, just me, the birds, and my backpack full of baby.  It was peaceful and serene and everything I had been craving.

I think Nugget liked the hike, too.

I had planned to turn around whenever I felt ready, but as luck would have it, right at the moment I was thinking of heading back I saw a sign for the Dune Trail, which I knew also spit out in the parking lot where I’d left my car.  So Nugget and I checked out the views of the sand dunes on our way back.

They were amazing!  I love sand dunes and could walk through them (on a boardwalk, of course) all day long.

Eventually we made it out of the sand and found ourselves hiking a short distance along this pretty meadow, until we made it back to the car.

By the time we got back to the parking lot, there were some pretty threatening looking clouds gathering in the distance.  But I considered carefully and judged that we had enough time to check out the wetlands habitat that was also protected at Back Bay, so we walked quickly across the parking lot to the other gorgeous body of water.

What a fabulous view!  I was so glad that I had noticed Back Bay on the map and had made time to get down there.  An almost-solo (just me and the mini man) adventure was exactly what I needed to recharge after a stressful move and a week of socializing (which, fun as it is, does take it out of me).

Goodbye, Back Bay!  You were stunning and perfect, and I’m sure we will be back.  The next time I visit VAB (soon!) I’ll be bringing the whole family with me.

Have you ever been to a national wildlife refuge?  Back Bay is my second!  Next week, we’re back at our own little beachfront paradise!