Island Hopping in Virginia's Barrier Islands

Did you know you can go island hopping in Virginia? ___ Before visiting the state's Eastern Shore on a trip #sponsored by @VisitVirginia, I had no idea. Actually Virginia is home to the eastern seabord's largest stretch of uninhabited barrier islands. ___ The islands were once home to villages featuring hotels, churches and hunting clubs, most notably Hogg Island and Cobb Island. Wealthy businessmen would take the train to Virginia to visit the islands, specifically to hunt the wide variety of birdlife these islands are known for. ___ After the Depression and the big storms that followed, it became clear, even to the locals, that they couldn't stay on the islands. And while there are only a few remnants of this history, you can still visit Virginia's barrier islands on a boat tour with Captain Meriwether Payne of Seaside Eco Tours (wether33@verizon.net). She's very flexible with the itinerary, and created a trip for me that included a mix of beach exploring and bird-watching (I even saw tons of birds nesting and an American bald eagle!). ___ Tip: I recommend visiting the @barrierislandscenter first so get a first-hand look at the islands' rich history. * * * #LoveVA #VAOutdoors #WanderlustVA @visitesva