Mountain Trip

We got back today from a long weekend to the mountains in Virginia.  We wanted somewhere we hadn't been before and that was within driving distance.  So, we ended up in the Shenandoah Valley.  We rented a log cabin pretty much out in the middle of nowhere, but it was awesome.  The boys could run around without bothering anyone and we sat in the hot tub on the deck outside at night once the boys went to bed. 

We walked down to a nearby lake on the first morning we were there.  The boys had a great time throwing rocks into the water.  It took Graham a little while to figure it out, but Tyler was determined to teach him how to do it.

After naps, we went to see the Luray Caverns.  We thought we could just walk through on our own, but quickly realized that it was a tour.  And that it lasted an  hour.  Not good with two crazy boys who just want to run around!  We did make it through without annoying too many people.  (One lady said something to me about having "bad ankles" and that she was nervous she was going to trip on Graham.  I tried to reply very nicely and did not tell her what I really wanted to say.)  Tyler learned the word "stalagtites" while we were in the caverns.

We spent our mornings eating a leisurely breakfast at home and then took off for the day.  Of course, while we were at the cabin, the boys had to wrestle each other.  It never ends!  But, there were very few tears and they really had a lot of fun playing with each other.  (And notice who is on top doing the tackling!)

After breakfast, we took off on our "hike."  We were a little nervous about how it would go since we knew the boys wouldn't last too long, but I was determined to do some type of hiking.  Of course I had to put the boys in these really cute animal hats. 

The hike started off fine, but Tyler quickly wanted to be carried.  It's a good thing that daddy is in good shape, because there was a lot of uphill, especially at the beginning.  We got Tyler to walk for probably half the time.

 This was part of the Appalachian Trail.  At one point we stopped so the boys could hear a bird.  Adam whispered "what do you think that is?"  Tyler whispered back, "a bear."  He was obsessed with seeing a bear.  He said he would fight it off with a stick. 

 Yes, by this point everyone was tired of mommy's tripod.  But hey, we got a good picture out of it!  I tell Adam he will thank me one day for a ll these pictures.

After naps, we drove over to Shenandoah National Park and drove along Skyline Drive (which is like the Blue Ridge Parkway). 

 Daddy worked hard to get a fire started (since it rained earlier that afternoon).  The boys were a little worn out, as you can see!  Graham ate half a marshmallow and said "side, night-night" (inside to go night-night).  Poor guy wasn't too impressed.  Tyler ate two smores and then said he was tired.

We stopped by Charlottesville on the way home to walk around a little and have some lunch.  There is a really cool pedestrian mall near their downtown that has a lot of outdoor restaurants, shopping, etc.  The boys got a litlte energy out before we had to get back in the car.



As far as familiy vacations go, we thought this one was pretty great!  There was minimal fighting and whining (a big plus for mommy), the boys slept great without any complaints or freaking out, we all got good naps everyday, the scenery was beautiful, and they lasted the 5 hour car ride without any major breakdowns.  (Yes, there was lots of candy involved.)  We can't wait to continue to travel with these little guys.