Visiting Virginia Beach |
  Northern Virginia has several million people, but it is not the most populated place in the state. Driving to the southeast of Virginia is where the state’s largest cities are found such as Norfolk and Virginia Beach. The area is made up of channels and is connected with several underwater tunnels, some of the longest in the world. Norfolk also has the largest naval base in the world, home to several US aircraft carriers. On the right is WW2’s USS Wisconsin at the Nauticus museum. |
  |
| The southern most part of Virginia along the coast is much warmer than the west and northern areas. This is probably as far north as you’ll find this many palms growing outside along the east coast. Virginia Beach is the state’s largest city and one of the biggest travel destinations. On the left is a statue of Neptune located on the Virginia Beach boardwalk. |
  |
| I went to Virginia beach for the 4th of July weekend so it was pretty packed. On the left you can see hundreds of people in a small area swimming and relaxing along the beach. The large cargo rig on the right stands out a lot while you are at the beach, seems like a strange location to put it but the tourists don’t seem to mind. |
  |
| Many people know Virginia beach for some of their strange laws. Cussing for example is illegal here and is punishable by a fine. I’m sure cussing is technically illegal everywhere, but in Virginia beach it is strictly enforced and $30 fines are common. Above are a do not cuss sign and a police hummer. |
  |
For those who don’t want to get up close and personal with local wildlife, Virginia beach’s aquarium has lots of native animals that are found in the local marshes and the ocean. The huge snapping turtle on the left is probably about 3 feet in height while it is standing up vertically and lives in swampy areas of the state. On the right are puffer fish and a shark that are both common in Virginia’s ocean.  |
| Everywhere in America on July 4th people celebrate our nations independence with the day always ending with fireworks once the sun goes down. In Virginia Beach, ships out in the ocean launched hundreds of fireworks while people crowded along the boardwalk and beach to watch. On the upper left an unseen ship launches dozens of fireworks at the same time, almost looking like missiles. |
  |
  |
| After the firework celebration, everyone goes out to party and continue the celebration. The above photo is one of a few free concerts in Virginia beach on July 4th. On the right are people crowded in a bar getting drinks. |