Most beach towns are strict about dogs. Leashes, restricted hours, and sometimes no dogs at all.
But this Virginia retreat is different. It lets dogs and their humans skip the boardwalk restrictions and enjoy the coast together.
I visited on a sunny morning with my dog, and we walked the trails through the forest, then emerged onto a stretch of beach where dogs were welcome. The water was calm, the sand was soft, and my dog splashed in the waves with pure joy…