Chippokes State Park

 Friday, June 16 2023

Travel Days are always an adventure with this wonderful woman. The trip was about 3 hours and 45 minutes from home to the park. We made one stop in South Boston VA to fill up and grab lunch at Bojangles. 

When we arrived, we could hear thunder in the distance, so we wasted no time setting up. It started raining about 5 and it rained for two hours. One of the bands that moved through had marble sized hail in it. Once we had wind hit the camper so hard that it rocked, we are just thankful that it did not roll. 

 

 

We decided to cook inside due to the weather. We had beef sausage, mashed potato and cheese vegetables with garlic muffins on the side. We enjoyed our meal and were thankful we had not arrived and had to set up in the storm.

 

After dinner and a little reading the rain finally stopped. We went outside and finished setting up and lit a fire. We roasted some marshmallows and made some s'mores and they were good. We also had a family from Portsmouth, VA visit, and they brought their own sticks and made s'mores with us. We enjoyed the conversation we had with them.

Saturday, June 17 2023

 

After a breakfast of scrambled eggs and bacon, we walked out on the beach area of the James River. It was a very nice morning to drink coffee and watch the river.

 

 

After signing up for the Tram Tour, we went to the Farm and Forestry Museum to start looking while waiting for the Tram. 

 

    

The Tram Tour took us all the way around the property and there is much to see.

 

 

 

After the tour, we went back to the museum to finish looking around, there is a lot to see.

We left the museum and went back to camp to have lunch. Amy made us chicken sandwiches with Sharp Cheddar Cheese, lettuce and tomato. We had some fresh cantaloupe as well. After lunch, we went to the Mansion to tour the grounds.

 

In the gift shop, there is the 1941 Packard that Mr. Stewart was driven to Petersburg everyday in. This is the only original of its kind, no restoration.

 

 

 

Our camp hosts were the tour guides through the home and there was a lot of information. Here are just a few pictures of the rooms.

 

 

 

After leaving the mansion, we went to the kitchen where there was original cooking utensils on display. They were not cooking due to the heat, but the lady there was full of information and answered all our questions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We walked the grounds and garden, just admiring the beauty of the place.

 

We left and on our way back to camp we stopped and looked at the garden and animals.

 

For supper we made camp pan pizza with tossed salad, it was delicous.

 

This evening we used Samoa cookies to make our s'mores and they were excellent. 

Sunday, June 18 2023

 

We had blueberry pancakes and sausage for breakfast and then went to Sunday service at Community Baptist Church in Surry. After service, we decided to take the Jamestown Ferry to Williamsburg Market Square to eat and shop.

 

We ate a nice meal at Berret’s Seafood Restaurant where I had the chicken and Amy had salmon. We shopped at several different stores including, The Christmas Shop, Everything Williamsburg, Scotland House and Wythe Candy & Gourmet Shop. Furthermore, we had ice cream at the Secret Garden and enjoyed every bite. On the way back, we were able to see the Jamestown ships as we left on the Ferry.

We enjoyed a quiet evening around the campfire.

Monday, June 19 2023

 

I always enjoy me early morning walks while camping. This morning I met a Fiddler Crab and a Gold and Black Millipede. 

 

I also journal when we camp or vacation so we will not forget anything. This pen is one I purchased from the gift shop at the Chippokes mansion. This morning I had a simple bowl of oatmeal and blueberries.

Our Review

This was a very clean campground and easy to navigate. All the roads are paved and there is plenty to do. We were at site 5 in Loop B. The site had a paved drive and parking area for the camper and was level, and we did not have to use our leveling blocks. Nice area around the picnic table with a pea gravel base and fire pit. There was plenty of room and the privacy was not bad either. There is so much to do and see here, we loved it.

• 2 bath houses available and both were fully operational. 3-4 showers in each house and fairly clean.
• Very easy to bike, walk or drive to what you want to see or do.
• Playground
• Gift store at the Visitor Center and the Mansion

Our Tips

You are only 10 minutes from the Jamestown Ferry, 25 minutes from Surry. In Surry you can get gas at the 7-11, and shop the Family Dollar or Dollar General. Be sure and visit the Williamsburg Market Square for excellent shopping and food. If you want to attend worship services on Sunday we highly recommend the Community Baptist Church.