Hampton Roads Life

I have passed by several times in the past and until recently I was under the impression that the Virginia Beach Airport on Princess Anne road ouy in Pungo was a private facility, and not open to the public. I have since found out that it is a private musuem, and open to the public. For more information goto http://www.militaryaviationmuseum.org

They are open daily from 9am to 5pm with regular demonstation flights most days.

This is a bike trail/path that runs the length of the current Nimmo Parkway plus a little off road, totaling just over 3 miles. The trail begins at the Princess Anne Rec Center, VBFD Station 21 and ends at Ashville Bridge Creek. The first 2+ miles are paved, while the last mile is dirt that gets rougher, the further East you go. The end of the trail is a nice grassy patch that looks like a nice place for picnic. Even though the last section of trail is pretty rough, there are imporvements that make it doable on most bikes with fat tires.

The pictures are kind of backwards, shooting into the sun was a bit of a challenge..

Looking East on Nimmo Parkway at VBFD Station 21

At the Princess Anne Rec. Center

At the corner of Nimmo and General Booth

This is an unpaved section, about 150 yards

Nimmo Parkway at Upton

Typical of the Eastern paved end of the path

This is the East end of Nimmo Parkway

The beginning of the dirt trail

Trail signage

Pretty sure these are neighborhood provided touchups...

The first half of the dirt trail is like this

Looking East towards the last section of the trail

Looking west on the trail at Atwoodtown Rd.

This is typical of the final section of trail

All the ditched have small bridges like this

Foot trail heading North along Ashville bridge creek

Foot trail heading South along Ashville bridge creek

Looking West on the trail at Ashville Bridge Creek

The bank of Ashville Bridge Creek, looks fishable..

This is the Grassy Area at Ashville Bridge Creek, nice and flat place for a picnic

Ashville Bridge Creek

Before Route 17 was relocated a few years back, and the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail was created, I had passed this old building several times and never had the opportunity to stop (If you drove the old Route 17, you know what I mean). I had the chance to stop and take a look around and take some pictures, and I could not find any signs about what the structure is/was, so I guess if I had stopped back then it would have been no help, because the only signage is in the canal facing away from the building. The only reference is a dot on the map at the Northern trail head of the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail. 

Toll Takers House on the Dismal Swamp Canal

This is the old Toll Takers House on the Dismal Swamp Canal. 

The building looks like it has taken on assaults over the years from the forces of nature, including the vines that currently inhabit the North end of the house. It looks like the structure has been occupied in relatively recent times. The structure has had electricity, because there is a socket for a meter, and the back porch overlooking the canal looked like it was not part of the original construction. 

The Toll Takers House can be found on the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail and Glencoe St. Or about a half a mile north of the Southern Trailhead, or about 5 Miles from the Northern trailhead. I suggest starting from the North and taking a nice bike ride, and enjoy the Dismal Swamp Canal Trail.

Spent an evening at Harbor Park, enjoying a game between the Tides and the Pawtucket Red Sox… It has been a while since I have been to a triple A game. A lot more relaxing then a regular MLB game…

Here’s the pitch….

Picnickers enjoying the game

Action under the lights…