Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail

One day when I was looking around on the National Park Service website, I spotted the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historical Trail (JST). There is nothing I love more than trails, but when you combine history with nature, I get damn giddy! 400 years ago, Captain John Smith explored the Chesapeake Bay, and covered over 3,000 miles of trails--most of it being water. In 2006, Congress designated Smith's voyages as the first national water trail. Because of that, there is not one main trail for JST. There are several "trails" throughout Hampton Roads (HR). Each site has a sign and logo (see pictures) representing its inclusion with JST. Here is a list of the places you can visit in HR to check out JST:* Fort Boykin--Smithfield* Windsor Castle Park--Smithfield (Technically, Smithfield is not included in HR, but close enough to Suffolk, and many HR residents visit often.) * Mariners' Museum--Newport News* Virginia Living Museum--Newport News* Fort Monroe National Monument--Hampton* Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve--Portsmouth * First Landing State Park--Virginia Beach* Lynnhaven River NOW--Virginia Beach* Great Bridge Lock Park--ChesapeakeTIPS:* Download the Chesapeake Explorer App (http://chesapeakeexplorerapp.com/)* Check out A Boater's Guide to the JST (http://goo.gl/dLi34r)* Here is the historical map from John Smith voyages: http://goo.gl/rGvgDAAnd here is the current map for JST: http://smithtrail.net/visit-the-trail/index* There is a Junior Ranger badge specifically for JST--ages 6 - 12. Go to this website and follow the directions: http://smithtrail.net/about-us/for-kids* Calling educators/parents! They offer lesson plans on the website: http://smithtrail.net/about-us/for-educators* Many of the water trails are accessible to kayaks and canoes!* Take a driving tour. (http://goo.gl/C4b7jk)