Eighteen people gathered at Fairy Stone State Park Sunday morning for a 6-mile First Day Hike conducted by Larry Chattin, husband of Fairy Stone’s Visitor Services Specialist Pat Eastwood.
In recent years, the First Day Hike at Fairy Stone revolved around the Iron Mine Trail. This year, Eastwood explained, park staff chose a longer and more demanding hike that included the Little Mountain Falls Trail.
The Taylor family, who came from Richmond to visit family in Franklin County, joined in the Fairy Stone First Day Hike. Dave Taylor said they have visited 27 of the 37 state parks, and hope to check out the remaining 10 this year. His twin daughters Megan and Mary also work at state parks through the Youth Conservation Corp, helping to maintain and build trails.
A couple from Danville, Grayson Chattin and Datriena Matherly, were among the First Day hikers. Both have done the 6-mile loop before, as Grayson is Larry Chattin’s son. They said they noticed a bit more green than a few weeks ago, but the waterfall was still low.
Anyone participating in any First Day Hike at any Virginia state park was eligible to compete in a photo contest with the grand prize of a $500 Virginia State Parks Overnight Stay Gift Certificate. First prize is a $250 gift certificate, second is a $100 gift certificate, and third is a Naturally Yours Passport good for a year of parking/admission to all state parks.
First Day Hikes include scheduled hikes and self-guided hikes, bike rides and horse rides. Admission to all state parks is free January 1.
Additional prizes were available for hikers who “pledged” to participate in a First Day Hike by registering online. Prizes for that contest were awarded by random drawing. The grand prize was a $500 gift certificate, first place received a Naturally Yours Passport, and second place received 10,000 Virginia State Parks Loyalty Points, which can be used to earn free stays.
– Angela H. Hill
