After booking a Patriots Home in Toms Brook, off we went to a 6 day seemingly long vacation. And now on the drive back home at the end of a felt really short vacation, I feel refreshed. Kids are in the back playing, arguing and fighting with each other and baby is off in her world singing to herself, or an imaginary audience.
Day 1:
We started off in the morning, as early as we could manage comfortably. The plan was to drive to DC and have a good afternoon there before driving the rest of the way. And we did well on sticking to the plan front. We hit DC after lunch and drove around the city looking at all the government buildings before finding a parking spot at Lincoln memorial. The weather was just perfect for a stroll in the grounds. And a safe place for the kids to run around, learn some history and burn some energy. Lil ones had fun looking at mama ducky and baby ducklings swaddling. Cherry blossoms were done for the year but it was nice to walk by those trees to one of the many ice cream trucks. Dinner at Peppe and off we went to the house that was waiting for us.
Day 2:
We started off with breakfast at home and went to Shenendoah. Skyline drive was beautiful but the weather was turning a lil chilly. But we had a great time looking at the amazing views that the park had to offer. Woodstock tower at an elevation of 2000ft above sea level was a great climb. Maybe not for people who fear heights but if not - it is amazing. We decided to go for a short hike after. It was a good walk through the woods to a small stream where the kids had fun playing in the water. I wish I remembered the name of the trail but I haven’t been blogging for a long while that I don’t note down place names. Note to self: get better :)
After, we went to Dickey Ridge visitor center, picked up some magnets as we are into it, walked around a lil bit, climbed some rocks, took a zillion pics and came back home. While we got the food ready, kids had a great time at the hot tub which we used as 3 groups - kids, dads and moms. Well, don’t you know it? Before we knew it, it was bye bye weekend.
Day 3:
Monday. Earth felt us too. It rained. And it snowed. In Virginia. In spring. When it was in the 80s a week ago. Says a lot about our luck with the weather, doesn’t it? But it was a good to be together and just be. We caught up in office work, talked a lot, watched the snow and had a good day. In the evening, me and C drove to nearby town to just walk around a bit and brought home some really delicious Nepali food.
Day 4:
Tuesday. Weather got better. We were ready and got out as early as we could. Straight to Luray. Luray caverns was mother natures interior decorating at its best as the signs said indeed. Stalagmites, stalactites and the wonder of nature kept us happy, entertaining and wanting for more. There was a garden maze close by where it was fun to figure out the clues. Except for kids deciding to go in diff directions and is having to herd them together, it was amazing. Maybe those are the memories that will mean a lot when we are old empty nesters - but right now, it’s not easy. And then while the kiddos went on ropes course, we got a chance to check out car and carriage museum. And then heritage village with the kids. Where thy insisted in buying rocks. Littlest one even cried for rocks. I just couldn’t see the point in Paying for rocks that she’s gonna throw away in a few mins. So there was definitely some screams and yay, mommy won. No rocks 🪨. If someone is keeping score- please note that am not out for zilch. We drove to Luray downtown but looked like the town folks go home early. No luck there. Well - some other time.
Back home for dinner, hot tub, wine and sleep time. A day well spent.
Day 5:
Wednesday. Plans galore but did not exactly go our way. Cue throw up and cleanup. Finally we made to Doyle’s river trail after lunch. Kids did a great job on this easy/moderate trail with steep climb. We walked to upper falls and got fooled by the first teeny fall we saw(as we mistook that for the upper falls). Had C not asked for both of us to venture further down, we would have missed the very pretty real upper falls. It was pretty. It was amazing. It was silent except for the sound of falling water. I believe all of us needed it. In our own ways. To comfort us in different ways.
The hike back took the best of all of us who have been on an exercise break since the pandemic struck. Littlest one was tired to the core and was closing her eyes while walking. Daddy dearest had a hard time climbing up the incline with her in his hands. But we made it. Happy.
Back home for home cooked dinner where we tried to finish up most of our supplies so that we don’t have to carry it back home. That did make for quite some good food. With hot tub time for all. Weather was turning better at this point. But the dread of a vacation end was looming over as we retired to bed.
Day 6:
Thursday. We packed, cleaned and checked out by 10 four our horse riding appointment. We were sure that the older kids(9, 9 and 5) will enjoy it but was a bit doubtful of 2. But surprise surprise. She went on a pony by herself without having any of us close by. It was a wonderful ride by the trail at Royal Horseshoe farms.
But we couldn’t just leave Virginia without going to Skyline drive again, could we? And that’s just what we did. Some time at the national park, with some amazing overlooks and we said bye to the park before heading to Front Royal Downtown. Me and C are crazy about those teeny tiny cute stores. Local cupcakes, pottery, souvenirs, general window shopping.
And now we are on the drive back. We have had some screaming matches with kids already. Getting back to day to day life ;) you wouldn’t know until you are in a closed car with kids for a long long drive.
Set to go home. Hoping to be better at blogging.
