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Okay, so I know you cannot swim at Virginia Beach in the winter, but you might be happily surprised to see other options offered. The weather is looking like the mid 50's right now (Feb.) and sunny. So what are you waiting for? 
Watch the habits of the migratory birds at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge. This 9,000 acre park is home to a variety of birds including about 10,000 snow geese and a variety of ducks that visit in the winter. The park is much like a barrier island of the Atlantic. There are dunes, wooded area, beaches, fields and marshes. Boardwalks and hiking trails make for great hiking. You could run across a bald eagle, sea turtle and plenty of other wildlife. Have your camera ready...there is no biking from Nov. through March. 
Jim Murphy is a regional publisher with GateHouse Media in Southern Illinois. He has been in the media business in advertising, journalism, marketing, Web management and related positions. He has also taught news writing, marketing, advertising, Web principles and other subjects at several colleges as an adjunct, and English and creative writing as an adjunct at a private high school. He has presented at over 20 workshops on public relations, strategic planning, negotiations, advertising, marketing and Web principles. He is recipient of 30 advertising, marketing and journalism awards. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees from Alfred University, and has done additional graduate study at Syracuse University.
