Yakking About Suffolk

About five years ago, I discovered kayak fishing.  I thought I may have invented it at the time, but none-the-less, it has become one of my favorite ways to pass the time.  In fact, when I finish this blog entry, I'm going to go.

My son, Parke, and I are the subject of an article in the Autumn issue of Suffolk Living Magazine, so I won't repeat anything that the article states.  It's all about our experiences kayak fishing in the area.  I think it's worth reading, obviously, and you can read it at suffolknewsherald.com/category/suffolk-living.  Go to that page, but I encourage you to read all the articles... not just mine, which is toward the bottom of the site.  You will understand why I have come to love this community, and apparently I'm not alone.  Suffolk now ranks in the top 100 towns to live in, for the U.S.

Among the attractions of this small, but growing Hampton Roads town, are its proximity to the beach, the ability to have waterfront at a more reasonable price, the wonderful restaurants, the culture, the natural beauty that one can be a part of when hiking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, or participating in other watersports.  Also, we have wonderful festivals and events; the Peanut Festival is the biggest, coming the second weekend in October.  And it is highlighted by and kicked off with the Shrimp Feast -- sponsored by the Suffolk Ruritan Club, of which I am a proud member and former past president.

My wife is a native Suffolkian, and we moved here at the end of 1993.  I hadn't lived here for six months before I knew I was "home".  (I also had never actually met anyone named "Bubba" before, and within those first six months, I met three!)  The people here are real.  The community is tight, and it is a great place to raise a family.  Last night, I went and watched my freshman daughter cheer for her first Friday night Varsity football game.  An exciting one that went down to the last play.  Even though we lost, everyone applauded for the effort both teams made.  That's what Suffolk is all about.  From watermen crabbing, to high tech computer animation labs; from a history that proudly goes back to the 1600's, to beyond that with its Native American history, to a city that is growing as one of the fastest in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and whatever promise the future holds.  From families that trace their lineage back in the region for generation upon generation, to the more transient, but just as important presence of military families.  It's a great place to be a kid.  And a great place to retire.  This is Suffolk.  It's surprising!  It's closer than you think. In fact it's home.  And I guess now, the secret is out.  (As long as my secret fishing spots stay secret, I guess I'm okay with that.)

Well that's enough yakking about Suffolk.  High tide is in about 2 hours.  It's time to go yakking around Suffolk.  You know, now that I stop to think about it, I wonder if any of those Nansemond Indians several hundred years ago, went fishing in their canoes.....  Perhaps they also said,

"Fish On!"

Dan