Sparkly Tour de Parks

10/07/2026

Hungry Mother State Park is located in Marion, Virginia a few hours northeast of the Great Smoky Mountains, nestled in the southwestern mountains of Virginia near the Jefferson National Forest. We passed it as we were traveling on our road trip from Mt Airy, North Carolina to Dollywood.

Tucked into the Appalachian ridgelines, featuring a 108-acre lake and Molly's K**b peak, we knew nothing about either, coming from St Augustine FL. We could definitely camp here and spend a few days! They have 18 miles of paths, including the steep 1.9-mile Molly's K**b Trail and the scenic 5.7-mile Lake Trail Loop.

They also have a swimming beach ($5 wristband), plus rentals for canoes, kayaks, paddleboards, and paddleboats on the no-wake lake. To stay overnight, they have the historic Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) cabins, campgrounds (like Camp Burson and Creekside), and yurts!

🚏 Here is the address: 2854 Park Blvd., Marion, VA 24354

If you are into mysteries like me, here is a legend that goes along w the park

Numerous versions of the story exist, but they all seem to possess a common thread. That a mother, perhaps named Molly, and a child escaped Indian captivity and when other settlers found them, the child proclaimed in a feeble voice, “Hungry, Mother.”

10/07/2026

Check out Smoky Mountain Millie! We have the same name and the same passion for nature! Check out her walks. We will feature the parks we passed along those "Highway 40 Blues" 🎵🦋💙on the way to Dollywood. Stay Sparkly my lil smokies!

10/02/2026

I just returned home from the Smoky Mountains!!! So many amazing parks to visit! I will tell you all about them. We went to Dollywood and stayed at her Dollywood's DreamMore Resort and Spa which was so amazing and perfect!!! Check this park which has the American Bridge to Prosperity! We walked so much at the theme park we didn't have time to walk this park so we are going back to check out this one and many more which i will feature after I unpack! We also checkeed out a park in Mt Airy which was 4 miles from the Virgina border where we hung out at the Mayberry Days festival https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1e8yL9LzHK/

Note: I had to edit this post a few times to get all the links in the post, as I guess I was just following the links on my main page when I initially typed this so I'm following them all now!

Tennessee's Smoky Mountains are home to the longest swinging bridge over water in the country, where you can walk “America’s Bridge to Prosperity” at Foxfire Mountain Adventure Park in Sevierville. The 335-foot bridge stretches high across Foxfire Gorge, surrounded by the wooded hills of the Smoky Mountains, and has just enough movement under your feet to make the walk exciting. Once across, you can keep exploring on Foxfire’s self-guided trails instead of simply turning around. The adventure continues through the forest toward Lost Mine Falls, along creekside paths, and across several other bridges found around the property. You can also make your way across another swinging bridge near the falls, where rushing water can be seen below. One of the most memorable stops is the Whispering Winds Covered Bridge, where visitors write down wishes and leave them hanging alongside thousands of others. Foxfire covers about 150 acres, and before becoming an adventure park in 2010, the property was a working Hereford cattle farm. Between the swaying bridges, wooded trails, waterfall, creeks, and mountain scenery, this is a fun way to see a different side of the Smokies.

09/24/2026

🎵"ohhhh, oh sometimes i go walking thru fields that where we walked long ago in the sweet used to be ...." 🦋🏃‍♀️👣🐾🌳

Provided to YouTube by Legacy RecordingsDo I Ever Cross Your Mind...

09/04/2026

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1498079515462531/

08/20/2026

I have so many awesome parks to show y’all and a few shady ones. I am walking this month in Jacksonville Florida USA. I live partly in San Diego and partly in St Augustine with an assignment in Jax and a mostly remote assignment abroad. I have literally visited 135 more parks! I have been making so many connections with people and have come across more stranger. Danger is then I would have expected But it’s all about perception right?! So blessed we have another day! Here is an inspirational and upbeat walkin’ songs playlist I made for our journey! Wave when you see me (physically and on-line 👋) Enjoy! 🎵👣🐾🦶 PS Here is a walking playlist I created on the modern tele 📺

Share your videos with friends, family, and the world

07/06/2026

Park #42 Bulls Bay Preserve “a 1,222-acre nature preserve in Jacksonville, Florida, known for its wetlands, swamps, and trails for hiking and mountain biking, including a unique small waterfall. It features large oak trees, lily ponds, and serves as a vital wildlife corridor, with access points including the Old Plank Road trailhead and a northern swamp trail off Imeson Road. The preserve offers a peaceful, natural escape with diverse habitats and is a popular spot for birdwatching and exploring Florida's landscape. “

The cycling course is pretty amazing.  I have hiked here several times to take pictures of the beautiful waterfall and walk the trails. I rode the bike trails in the beginning, but recently they have made some really awesome renovations and jumps. A little far out of my pay grade yeah fun to check out.

This park is Fido Friendly! 🐩🦮🐕‍🦺

📍 Bulls Bay Preserve 8017 Old Plank Rd Jacksonville FL 32202

 There’s also a great local old Timey barbecue place around the corner that is worth trying at least once “When in Rome”

📍 Gator’s BBQ 8142 West Beaver Street Jacksonville FL 32220

06/23/2026

Park #41 Memorial Park in Riverside (Jacksonville FL USA). Here is a great story about the lady who built the park. She also is responsible for the Cu**er Museum next door to the Saturday Riverside Arts Market. The park is nice as it sits along the Saint johns river, which is one of the very few rivers in the world that flow up / north.  I

t is a rather large park and a great place to take a blanket or a book after you walk around and get some exercise. Major picnic vibes here! I can remember during one of the hurricanes that entire statue was flooded in water. They have since corrected their lack of drainage issues.

This is a great place to spend the day as there are a lot of shops and places to eat across the street and you never know who you will meet around the corner just like getting outside and help your heart health with some walking.

The park is an historic 6 acres park and is dedicated to World War I veterans. Life by Charles Adrian Pillars is the artwork that sits atop the beautiful park by the water. The statue was unveiled in 1926 and in 2018 they updated names on the memorial

📍1620 Riverside Avenue Jacksonville FL 32204

The Park is Fido Friendly 👍🏼🐕‍🦺

**er

You may recognize the name Ninah Cu**er, but did you know she played a key role in shaping Memorial Park as we know it today?🌳

Ninah made the ultimate connection in 1922 when she invited the Olmsted Brothers to have a representative come to Jacksonville to discuss the park. She helped bring the park from an open vision to a purposeful plan. Leading the charge with her penchant for style and careful detail, she engaged in friendly debate with the Olmsted Brothers leading up to the construction of Memorial Park. Next time you visit, take a moment to appreciate the vision of the woman who helped make it all possible.

06/17/2026

Number 41 Cradle Creek Preserve. So many walks so little time. I have been walking the halls of my storage unit as I downsize my life. Had to take a break and check out Cradle Creek Preserve in Jacksonville Beach FL. Maybe 4 spaces to park and say hey to the raccoons going thru the trash in the parking lot. They will chase you! 🦝🦝

Several great boardwalks, and look out points over the intercoastal waterway. You really feel like you’re on a peninsula overlooking the beauty of the marsh. No handrails on the back trail boardwalk so watch your kids and pets. The views here really are spectacular. Cute and quaint little park with a great views. I clocked a little over a mile walking all of the trails.

It is tucked behind the police department, and they are sticklers for speed going over the bridge so don’t go over. Oyster shell beds that cut like razors and will infect you or give you a flesh eating disease, so if you are not from here, do not get off the boardwalk and walk in the marsh. It’s hard to see some under the mud and you can sink in the mud.

#fidofriendly A great place to strut your mutt! Please pick up after your dog. Pack in what you pack out please, the locals use this park religiously.

📍 900 15th St S, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

06/08/2026

Number 40 Freedom Park. As we get closer to our 250 year anniversary in American not American’t, I decided to check out freedom Park in Jacksonville Florida. Two hour surprise freedom had nothing to do with America as a country. It was more about freedom of the Gullah Geechee Nation. I had never heard of this civilization in Jacksonville, Florida so it was quite interesting and enjoyable for me! Although it does sound like one of those words my Mom makes up! We decided to extend our stay throughout the summer to finish covering the 403 parks. This is number 40, so there’s still time to join us! Live or virtually. Check out this place the next time you are here and in the interim, you can discover it online! It is oddly placed in an intersection!

📍10946 Fort Caroline Rd Jacksonville FL 32225