Shenandoah National Park

In the busy-ness of last month, I didn't get to post about some of the great things that were keeping us busy...like a wonderful trip to Virginia! It was a 3 part trip: arrival and visit with Mark's Mom and Jim, then a weekend in Hampton Roads for Mark's high school reunion, then an all-too-short day trip to Northern Virginia before we flew back out. To our friends up there, sorry we hardly got to see any of you. We had one day and are glad Renee and Michele brought the kids out to spend the day with us being tourists in DC, but I'm getting way ahead of myself...

As we picked up our rental car and were making our way to Staunton, we decided to do something we never took the time to do before--take the scenic route! I'm so glad we slowed down and were willing to put a little more traveling into a long day. You just never know when or if you'll get those special opportunities!

So, instead of heading down the highway, we ducked into Shenandoah National Park for a ride on Skyline Drive.

Look, Ainsley, those are called "mountains." ha ha!

m-o-u-n-t-a-i-n-s. "mountains." You'll get it, Sweetheart.

At one of the overlooks we found ourselves at a crosspoint of the Appalachian Trail. So, we took the time, again, to delay ourselves a few more minutes and take (just a little) stroll on the AT. Just to stretch our legs and, frankly, because it's pretty cool to have walked on part of the Trail.

We might have gone a bit farther, actually, because it was beautiful but as you can see it was getting dark and Judi was waiting for us.

Family pic on the AT, but you have to take our word for it since you can't see anything!

Next up...we make it to Grandmommy's house and get to meet some horses!