The Noland Trail

100 Museum Dr. 

Newport News Virginia 23606

Noland Trail, located off Warwick Blvd. in Newport News Virginia is set behind the Mariners Museum. Landscaped with natural beauty, you are sure to enjoy a wonderful walk along this trail surrounding Lake Maury. The Noland Trail is also a pet-friendly trail so don't forget to bring along your fur babies.

Hours of operation are from 6 AM to 8 PM and is free of charge. Free is always good!

The trail runs a five-mile course around the lake with mile markers along the way so that you can keep track of how far you have gone. The trail also includes benches (approx. every 1/2 mile) and lookouts for you to pause and take in all the beauty surrounding you.

If you are looking for the local wildlife, then you have come to the right place! Our family has run across a few little animals along the way.









No matter what time of the year it is I have found beauty while walking the trail. During the colder months, of course, you will have the trail mostly to yourself as not many venture out. But I have taken some breathtaking pictures all year round.

No matter where you are on the trail you will find something breathtaking and unique. Bring your dog, bring a friend and just enjoy the world around you.

Depending on where you start the trail, you are bound to see Lions Bridge along the way. There is parking available nearby and you can start the trail from this area. There is also an entrance to the trail located at the museum's front entrance.

There are a few rules when going on the trail....Yes I know, borrring. But if there weren't rules then we wouldn't have such a beautiful place to visit. They are as followed:

• Motorcycles, bicycles, and trail bikes are not permitted on The Noland Trail.
• For the comfort of all park visitors and the protection of wildlife, dogs must be on leashes at all times. Please be sure to clean up after your pet.
• Trash cans are located throughout the park for the convenience of visitors.
• For the safety of visitors and for environmental reasons, no fires of any kind are permitted.
• Swimming and wading in the lake are not permitted.
• No alcoholic beverages are permitted within the park.
• Visitors are expected to observe all applicable Museum, city, state, and federal rules, regulations, and laws.
• Weapons are not permitted.

Seems simple enough! It's all about respect for yourself, respect for others and respect for our wildlife.

A little history lesson!

Created in 1930 by Museum founder Archer Huntington, The Mariners’ Museum Park is the largest privately maintained park open to the public for free in America. Highlights include Lake Maury, named for Virginia’s own Matthew Fontaine Maury, the famed 19th-century oceanographer. In 1990, Lloyd U. Noland, Jr., approached the Museum with the offer to finance the creation of a walking trail in the Park.

Since the Trail’s dedication in 1991, the Noland Family has provided significant support for its maintenance and repair. The five-mile Trail, a popular walking, and running destination features fourteen wooden footbridges. The famed Lions Bridge is another stunning Park landmark, noted for its four lion statues created by the Museum founder’s wife, Anna Hyatt Huntington. (copied from http://www.marinersmuseum.org/park-and-trail/)

I hope if you are in the area that you will take the opportunity to visit the Noland Trail. It is one of my favorite places to relax and take a break from the everyday hustle of life. I am able to just forget about all the stresses and take all the beauty and fresh air I can. And you never know, you may make a few new friends along the way!

goDog Pet Toys

goDog Pet Toys

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goDog products are available at these fine retailers:

Amazon  Petco  Petsmart  Petfood Express  

Picking out the perfect dog toys for your pet just got a little bit easier! Have you ever searched for a toy that will last or something that won't tear and fall apart after just a few times? Well stop right where you are and check out goDog. They have a variety of great toys for your pet that will last through all the Tug-O-Wars, fetches, and squeezes you can muster up while playing.

Kaia loves to play Tug-O-War with her humans but the problem we have been faced with is finding a toy strong enough to withstand more than a few games. Teeth are sharp and can puncture ordinary materials causing them to rip and tear. Huge waste of money right? 

That's when we found the goDog brand toys with Chew Guard Technology. Not only are these cute as a button, but they have lasted through all the games Kaia and I play.

We were blessed with the Crazy Tugs Green Monkey and Kaia just loves it. She carries it around with her almost everywhere and at any moment will be nudging you to play with her. Of course, while I try to get pictures of her, she doesn't want anything to do with it 😉 But that just makes me love her even more! She's stubborn just like her mommy. 

Really mom? 😑

Crazy Tugs feature arms and legs that pull through the body for great tugging fun. Made with Chew Guard Technology™ these toys will stand up to tough play!

Details:
Two sizes available
Two styles available: Sasquatches and Monkeys
Made with Chew Guard Technology™

Brightly colored characters

Monkey features unique long, floppy arms and legs that move up and down for a great tug-o-war game! Monkey Large has 5 squeakers (one in each paw and one in the belly), Mini Monkey has 1 Belly Squeaker.









So the next time you are out and about looking for a new toy for your pet, check out the stores above and search for goDog pet toys for your fur baby and have a toy that will outlast any other.

Kaia with her best buddy Squeaker

* I received this product free or at a discounted price in exchange for my review. I was not compensated for my review and all opinions are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. *

Spring Cleaning With A Purpose

Get motivated to spring clean with Goodwill's job creation! By donating your unwanted items, you create jobs for those who need them.


Over the past several years, most of us have had a family member, friend, acquaintance struggle in this economy.  Either they have lost a job or struggled to find employment. And if not someone you know personally, really, all you have to do is turn on the TV or pull up social media to see the struggle. It is real.
Goodwill’s career centers, training programs, and staffing operations give people the resources, skills, and confidence that changes thousands of lives each year.
So how can you help to be a part of this growth and effort in your own community? It’s easy! Donate to Goodwill = create jobs!



I don't know about you, but I'm ready to get organized. Spring is here and it's time to clean out the closets and get rid of things I no longer use or need. My son is growing out of his clothes but they are still in great shape. Donating to Goodwill not only helps me declutter but helps out my community as well.

Do you have any Spring Cleaning tips?

Besides cleaning out my closets, I organize my junk drawers....yes we all have them :) I also go around the house cleaning walls and areas that normally get missed; such as behind the fridge and stove. And yuck, I need to do that more often!

Thanks to the programs and support services made possible by donations of clothes and household items, Goodwill helped place more than 312,000 people in jobs in the United States and Canada in 2015 – that’s one person finding a job every 23 seconds of every business day.



Why do I donate? Because what I may not want or have a use for, may be perfect for someone else! If we have perfectly good items that can be loved by someone else, why not help our community?









If you are not sure where your local Goodwill is, you can use the Goodwill Locator App available for Android and iOS devices and at http://www.goodwill.org/ (click “Explore Our Map” on the homepage).

Simply input the items you’re donating to calculate the number of hours of career counseling, on-the-job training, résumé preparation, financial planning classes, and other services you’ve helped provide people facing challenges finding employment. When jobs thrive, communities thrive.
Last year, nearly 2 million people engaged in face-to-face Goodwill services to advance in their careers. More than 35 million people accessed education, training, mentoring and online learning tools offered by Goodwill virtually to strengthen their skills and gain industry-recognized credentials.
We have done our part! Now it is time for you to do yours! Tag us on your social media posts with a photo of your Goodwill donations using #DonateStuffCreateJobs.

Did you know that donations of clothing or household goods to Goodwill help create jobs directly in your community? In fact, those items get a second act in another person’s life. That’s spring cleaning with a purpose!







Spring Cleaning Tips from Goodwill: http://www.goodwill.org/spring-cleaning/
PSA Video: “Put Your Stuff Back to Work” https://youtu.be/Qqi3BHAos9I
Here’s an example of a video created by an influencer about how she cleans her house and donates to Goodwill: https://youtu.be/IRS1uCi6PpU

If you’re anything like me, you are probably tempted to shop when you drop off donations at Goodwill. I’ve donated my used children’s clothing and then emerged from the store with clothing for myself or my kids that looks “as good as new” but for a fraction of the price. The Goodwill in your community may have coupons or discount days available, so from the details screen of your Goodwill App, select the website link to discover what coupons and sales might be available to you. Our local Goodwill has a punch card for purchases, Senior and Military discounts and Dollar days.

Here’s an example of a video created pro bono by an influencer about her Goodwill Donations and Fashion Haul: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMmVdQbp31Y&t=23s

Goodwill Helps One Person Find a Good Job Every 23 Seconds:
 Thanks to the programs and support services made possible by donations of clothes and household items, Goodwill helped place more than 312,000 people in jobs in the United States and Canada in 2015 – that’s one person finding a job every 23 seconds of every business day.

Through its 162 local, independent headquarters, Goodwill collectively provided job placement services, onsite and virtual skills training, and other community-based services (such as English-language training, financial education, youth mentoring and access to transportation and child care) in 2015. Last year, nearly 2 million people engaged in face-to-face Goodwill services to advance in their careers. More than 35 million people accessed education, training, mentoring and online learning tools offered by Goodwill virtually to strengthen their skills and gain industry-recognized credentials.

Goodwill sells donated goods at more than 3,200 stores across the U.S. and Canada, and channels more than 85 percent of sales revenue from donated goods to provide job preparation and placement, education assistance, and other support services for people who are unemployed or underemployed. Employment is more than a paycheck. It’s a resounding victory for that person, their families, and their community.

So get into those closets, get that Spring Cleaning started and make your mark with Goodwill.