Amanda S. Creasey

A day at the State Arboretum of Virginia
by Amanda S. Creasey, Outdoors Writer
This was going to be a story about trees, pure and simple — a factual story about the trees I saw at the State Arboretum of Virginia in Boyce, Va. How old are they? How big? How beautiful?
What I was not prepared for — though, perhaps I should have been — was the magic of the trees. The magic started before my friend, her baby, my dogs and I even got out of the car. It was lunchtime. We were hungry and looking to s...

About This Book

It's remarkable how a change in perspective can turn your life around. Your attitude is one of the most powerful tools you have, and anyone can access that power. The 101 personal, revealing stories in this collection will show you how you can use positive thinking in all aspects of life, from the everyday to the extraordinary. Deborah Norville has teamed up with Chicken Soup for the Soul to provide you with relatable role models — people from all walks of life — who have harn...

About The Book
Dogs keep us company, provide unconditional love, share in the ups and downs of our lives and every day an adventure. You’ll love these 101 dog tales of family, friendship, fun.
How do dogs do it? Even non “dog people” fall under their spell. Our dogs make us better people. If we rescued them, they rescue us back. If we’re sad, they comfort us. If we need to have more fun, they show us how. They are our therapists, our role models, and our best friends.
You’ll laugh a lot, tear...

About This Book

Readers of all ages will love these 101 true, entertaining stories. They celebrate the laughter, love and lessons that animals bring into our lives, and the incredible bond between people and their pets. Pets provide us with companionship, comfort, understanding, and then there are those times when we sit back and laugh at their quirky personalities. They also make us the best versions of ourselves.

Whether you're a proud pet owner or simply an animal lover, these humorous and...

Bringing furry family members on vacation
August 2025
by Amanda S. Creasey, Outdoors Writer
An annual vacation is a summer staple for many families, and including the family pets in the trip is becoming more common. Whether it’s a cat or a dog, more furry family members are going along for the ride. In fact, a 2024 survey conducted by the American Pet Products Association found that 78% of pet owners travel with their four-legged family members each year when they take vacations.
STAY OR GO
J...

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Home | Explore More | Back in the Saddle Again
Guided horseback trail rides in the Shenandoah Valley
June 2025
by Amanda S. Creasey, Outdoors Writer
The white barn is nestled at the foot of Graves Mountain in Syria, Va. When my husband and I walk up, we’re greeted at the gate by an exuberant dog, who we later learn is named Cinch. He has a merle coat. Another couple and a woman on her own are already here, wearing their helmets and milling around in the sun while our guides prepa...

Cooperative Focus
Home | Cooperative Focus | Becoming a Nature Hero
An inside look at wildlife rescue and rehabilitation
April 2025
by Amanda S. Creasey, Contributing Columnist
One of the greatest thrills of spending time outside is encountering wildlife. Whether it’s a box turtle or bird, fox or frog, rabbit or raccoon, seeing native wildlife in its natural habitat reminds us that we share this world with many creatures.
But what should you do if you encounter one of these wild animals in di...

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Home | Explore More | The Channels Challenge

A hike for the ages that’s worth the effort

October 2024

by Amanda S. Creasey, Outdoors Writer

Everyone told us how hard hiking to The Channels would be.

“The hike there is a slog.” “It’s uphill all the way there.” “It’s really, really hard.” These are just a few warnings we received before our adventure in The Channels Natural Area Preserve.

However, despite these warnings, no one who issued them said it wasn’t worth the work involved...

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Celebrating National Dog Month
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Stay cool with these canine-friendly adventures
August 2024
by Amanda Sue Creasey, Outdoors Writer
While traditionally associated with the hot, humid slog that begins at the end of July, the dog days of summer took on a fresh meaning in 2020 when August was officially designated as National Dog Month. This time of year, chilling out in the air conditioning might be tempting, but instead of...

A magical day with Daisey’s Island Cruises
June 2024
by Amanda S. Creasey, Outdoors Writer
As my alarm goes off at 6:45 a.m. on a Saturday, I question why I thought the morning tour time was a good idea. I had a 9 a.m. option, an 11 a.m. option and a 2:30 p.m. option. Why did 9 a.m. seem like the best choice? But I resist the temptation to snooze and get up. It’s pony time!
Although they’re known as the Chincoteague ponies, the 150 or so equines spend most of their time on Assateague, only vi...

Exploring Virginia State Parks by water
April 2024
by Amanda S. Creasey, Outdoors Writer
When Crystal Hughes of Norfolk, Va., finished the Virginia State Parks’ Trail Quest program last year, visiting all 42 state parks, she told herself she “wasn’t going to get all wrapped up in Paddle Quest.”
Not long after, she found herself on the water. “I just felt like I had to do it, even though I told myself I wouldn’t,” Hughes, the AmeriCorps program manager for the state parks, says.
Between May 20...

Abandoned presidential statues have a bright future in Williamsburg
January-February 2024
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by Amanda S. Creasey, Outdoors Writer
When people think of Williamsburg, Va., outlet shopping and Colonial history are likely what come to mind. What might not be at the forefront of most people’s thoughts is Presidents Park, a long-closed sculpture park featuring larger-than-life busts of 42 U.S.presidents. When the park closed roughly a decade ago, Howard Hankins was hired to remove and dispose of th...

Jackie McCool's first book, Beer Dogs Virginia, is a one-of-a-kind coffee table book that showcases portraits of dogs from more than 30 breweries around the state of Virginia. The collection of images is accompanied by charming biographies of each dog as well as essays from Virginia authors, dog lovers, celebrity chefs, and brewing experts. It is the perfect way to combine two of Virginia's greatest loves - craft beer and dogs!
To make this book even more exciting, Virginia artist Mike Zawesk...

Shenandoah Valley museum keeps parade memories afloat
August 2023
by Amanda S. Creasey, Contributing Writer
In 1946, when he was 18 years old, Earl Hargrove worked designing and building animated department store holiday window displays. In the true spirit of the American dream and work ethic, roughly four years later at age 22, he was on the phone with the White House discussing the possibility of creating floats for the upcoming Inauguration Day Parade. He earned the bid for President Harry...

June 2023
By Amanda S. Creasey, Outdoors Writer
We arrive at Civitan Park in Ewing, Va., at 10 a.m. on a Saturday. Including ours, five cars wait for their drivers to return from hiking to the Sand Cave in the Cumberland Gap National Historic Park.
My friend Jamie, my dogs and I have been planning this trip for weeks. “Can you do this hike in those?” Jamie asks, nodding at my Uggs. “I guess we’ll find out,” I say. I forgot my hiking boots....