THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 25, 1994 TAG: 9410250053
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E4 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Mom, I'm Bored
SOURCE: Sherrie Boyer
LENGTH: Medium: 70 lines
WE WERE DRIVING much too fast for Allio, though the speedometer read only 45. But then any speed is too fast when you are craning your neck from the back seat, trying to spot individual pine needles that have turned to gold.
The other trees were resplendent in their fall wardrobe, so much so that the drive west to Chippokes Plantation State Park in Surry was outing enough. But the park was glorious.
There, we met our Richmond friends, Sue and Tommy, and their two little boys. It was a grand reunion. For although the children had known one another since birth (Allio and Britt are both 5; Maddie and Jackson, 3), they hadn't seen each other in months. A moment after reintroductions, they raced through the leaves, hunting daddy-longlegs, crickets and sticks. Sam, 2, stayed by the picnic shelter, ready eat. So we ate.
The children hiked toward the playground before we'd finished, eager to climb on a wooden jungle gym that resembles a stack of logs. We ambled after them, amused by the responsibility the two 5-year-olds offered and the ease with which the 3-year-olds accepted their rule.
The children climbed, and we talked. Then we all walked together down a path toward the little beach by the James River.
We were met by a curious sign, ``Digging for Fossils and Swimming Are Prohibited.'' Because it's too cold to swim this time of year, you would think no one would get wet. But we climbed the stony trail 40 minutes later holding five pairs of dripping sneakers from barefoot children, who'd enjoyed a marvelous romp in puddles and a study of abundant shell fossils - all without swimming a stroke.
It's a lovely little beach, barely 15 feet wide, where the trees spread a canopy over their fallen comrades, shells litter the sand and the hill rises straight up like a cliff.
Eventually we left. Sue and Tommy hung the boys' jeans out the window to flap dry on the drive home. We turned toward the museum, wondering if barefoot children were allowed.
The outdoor Farm and Forestry Museum consists of several buildings clustered around a green. Inside, the story of a working farm in the 1850s is explained with kitchen implements and farm tools. Sam loved the tractors, and the girls were somewhat interested, but what fascinated them most was the acoustics.
``This one has an echo,'' Allio said, astounded. ``See, echo, echo, echo.'' There was an echo all right, even without her help. And there was one in the next building and the next, until every building had been tested.
An interpretive trail begins behind the last building, a short 1,800-foot walk through the forest to the old sawmill. We didn't try it (wet shoes), but the museum folks said it offers viewing tubes for close-up and distant looks, tree markers and information signs. The trail is steep in one area, but manageable for children, they said.
To get to Chippokes from Portsmouth, take Route 17 north and turn onto Route 32 north. From 32, turn onto Route 10 west and follow the truck route. Barely past the town of Bacon's Castle, turn right on Route 634 or Highgate Road. Then turn right on Chippokes Farm Road and follow signs to the park.
The park uses an honor box to collect the $1 car entry fee. There are clean restrooms, a visitor center (with a cool drawing of a Choupoke native) and a playground in the picnic area. Hours are from 8 a.m. until dusk.
There are several trails to hike or bike. For details, call 1-294-3625.
Also within the park are two historic houses and a farm museum. Both houses are closed for the season, although the museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and from 1 to 4 p.m. Sundays through November. Admission is $1.25 for adults; $1 for children 6 to 12. For additional museum information, call 1-294-3439. by CNB