This past week we left the Land of the Hot and Humid to venture to the Haven of Cool and Breezy. Otherwise known as our Annual July 4th Camping Trip to Grayson Highlands State Park in southwest Virginia. We love this campground and area so, so much. It's absolutely beautiful, and the much cooler weather is always eagerly anticipated in early July. One night it was down to 48 degrees. Thankfully, Camilla kept us toasty warm. That is, until we ran out of propane the first night. And Julie woke up a smidge chilly. And the heater AND the stove didn't work. How was I to get my morning cup of coffee?? Talk about roughing it!
We came up Wednesday morning, which worked out perfectly for us getting our favorite campsite. It's right on the edge of the meadow/playground area, which sounds like it would be a bad thing, but actually gives us extra visual access while the kiddos run around totally unsupervised. No, I'm lying. They did have their 11-year-old cousins with them.
You might think the highlight of our trip for the boys would be the hiking. Or maybe the gobs of marshmallows they incinerate and scarf. Or maybe that quality family time (Alan's sister's family and my sister's family were both there) that is so precious and endearing. Ummm, no. It's that first visit to the campstore to blow their hard-hoarded cash from the grandparents. Michael promptly chose two stuffed dinosaurs and Matthew chose a locally crafted slingshot. No eyes were shot out during our camping trip, by the way.
We do a ton of hiking when we camp here. Reminds me of my college days in Boone. Sigh. This time we tried a trail as a family that we have never gone on together before: Cabin Creek Trail. It's a pretty easy, fairly short hike beside...Cabin Creek. Did you see that one coming? The boys took their Pocket Fisherman to try to catch some of the brook trout. Alas, we had to resort to hot dogs for supper (grilled using the newly refilled propane). Matthew has always been an amazing hiker - he could hike all day and not complain. Michael is getting there. He knows better than to ask us to carry him at this point. That boy is solid.
This year, my BFF Andrea and her precious hubbers Isaac (the newlyweds!) camped with us Friday and Saturday nights. Oh my, did we enjoy being with them. The boys asked me for days prior to their arrival, "Are Ms. Andrea and Mr. Isaac coming today??" They are both just so comfortable to be with. We don't see nearly enough of them, and it was so nice to spend time relaxing together and catch up in person rather than via phone or internet. Don't you love those relationships where you've been apart for several months, but you pick back up like it's just been five minutes?
They came hiking with us on our favorite hike over Massey's Gap which leads to the Appalachian Trail. There were tons of ponies with their babies there, and I almost had to take Andrea down over which one of us got to keep this little one above. Thank goodness Alan intervened and told me no ponies were allowed in the camper because we all know that that pony would have been MINE. It was so little and fuzzy and gangly and I could have sworn that I heard it call me "mama." But maybe that was just the wind. Or one of the other voices in my head.
The day we took the Massey's Gap hike (July 4th!) was probably our warmest day there. I was able to actually just wear shorts and a t-shirt without five other layers. It was still super windy, though, and when we ate lunch on the top of the rock formations, whew! It was Isaac to the rescue, though, with his Wonder Camo Poncho (that's a former military man for you - always prepared!). He provided it for his blushing bride initially, but I had no qualms about sharing it with her. Frankly, it would have been a good cover to smuggle one of those ponies back with me, too.
We also did a bit of geo-caching with my sister Karen and her girls while we were there. You may remember that we did this last year, too. Karen and I found a really small one - smaller than a film cannister - but were totally unable to find another one. Even with six rowdy little ones along to help. It's always fun to look for hidden treasure. And doing this in the past has helped me to throw a rockin' pirate party.
Of course, one of the highlights for me was taking my new Wonder Camera (still deliberating regarding a name...Andrea suggested "Cameron"...not sure if that's going to stick or not) and taking some shots. The views and scenes are so gorgeous there that it's not too hard to get a good shot. My little Unwilling Photo Op Children let me pester them a bit, but they quickly and easily reached their limits. I found the wild flowers, huckleberries, and trees to be quite a bit more cooperative. Go figure.
This is probably my favorite "person" picture I took this weekend. I love Matthew's expression here. He is so, so hard to photograph with a natural face. Even this is a little forced, but I think it captures his sweet spirit. 
There is a picnic area in the park that has several "homestead" kind of rustic buildings. You know the ones - small home, spring house, barn, etc. Michael chose to check out the above. Complete with seat with hole. Where does it go, Mama? Where do you flush, Mama? Where's the potty paper, Mama? I'm just glad that the campground itself passed the Julie Bathroom Inspection. Except for that one frigidly cold shower I had to take. You know, the one that was so ice cold that I was only able to wash strategic parts.
We hiked another trail behind the Visitor's Center that we hike every year. It is also fairly easy and we often see deer, although we didn't this year. From the top of the rock formation on that trail ("Big Pinnacle"), you can look down and see the hike up to the top of Massey's Gap. There's quite a change in elevation within this park. Which also means quite a variation in temperature. We are constantly putting on and taking off clothes. Which makes it sound like we're a bunch of strippers. Which come to think of it, I guess we really were. No fears - no nudity occurred in the making of this post. Except for the freezing cold shower.
The Twin Pinnacles trail is on a mountain called "Haw Mountain", so named for these spiky Hawthorne trees. A good place to put your kids in time out when they eat all of Mommy's marshmallows. 
Oh, my sweet family. I complain to Alan sometimes about all the work involved with camping. It's not so much of a vacation for me what with the planning and shopping and packing and washing involved. He is always, always willing to help, but let's face it, I'm just a smidge more organized than he is. However, the time and memories we make on these trips are priceless (are you wiping a tear yet?). The boys could not be dirtier or hungrier or happier on these trips.
And getting to spend time with extended family makes it even better. The boys adore all of their many girl cousins and their cousins are so sweet and loving and mothering to them. Heavens, my boys are spoiled with the attention that their cousins shower on them. I love being able to trot over to my sister's campsite and coerce her into brushing our teeth together. I love sitting and watching the kids play with Alan's sister while I sip my coffee. It's all good. Even if I have to endure a sleet-style shower. We're usually ready to come home at the end of the week, but I have to say that despite the work, it really is a fun, relaxing time together.
And did I mention that it was great to get back home to my own bed and my own pets and my own HOT SHOWER? I thought so.
We came up Wednesday morning, which worked out perfectly for us getting our favorite campsite. It's right on the edge of the meadow/playground area, which sounds like it would be a bad thing, but actually gives us extra visual access while the kiddos run around totally unsupervised. No, I'm lying. They did have their 11-year-old cousins with them.
You might think the highlight of our trip for the boys would be the hiking. Or maybe the gobs of marshmallows they incinerate and scarf. Or maybe that quality family time (Alan's sister's family and my sister's family were both there) that is so precious and endearing. Ummm, no. It's that first visit to the campstore to blow their hard-hoarded cash from the grandparents. Michael promptly chose two stuffed dinosaurs and Matthew chose a locally crafted slingshot. No eyes were shot out during our camping trip, by the way.
We do a ton of hiking when we camp here. Reminds me of my college days in Boone. Sigh. This time we tried a trail as a family that we have never gone on together before: Cabin Creek Trail. It's a pretty easy, fairly short hike beside...Cabin Creek. Did you see that one coming? The boys took their Pocket Fisherman to try to catch some of the brook trout. Alas, we had to resort to hot dogs for supper (grilled using the newly refilled propane). Matthew has always been an amazing hiker - he could hike all day and not complain. Michael is getting there. He knows better than to ask us to carry him at this point. That boy is solid.
This year, my BFF Andrea and her precious hubbers Isaac (the newlyweds!) camped with us Friday and Saturday nights. Oh my, did we enjoy being with them. The boys asked me for days prior to their arrival, "Are Ms. Andrea and Mr. Isaac coming today??" They are both just so comfortable to be with. We don't see nearly enough of them, and it was so nice to spend time relaxing together and catch up in person rather than via phone or internet. Don't you love those relationships where you've been apart for several months, but you pick back up like it's just been five minutes?
They came hiking with us on our favorite hike over Massey's Gap which leads to the Appalachian Trail. There were tons of ponies with their babies there, and I almost had to take Andrea down over which one of us got to keep this little one above. Thank goodness Alan intervened and told me no ponies were allowed in the camper because we all know that that pony would have been MINE. It was so little and fuzzy and gangly and I could have sworn that I heard it call me "mama." But maybe that was just the wind. Or one of the other voices in my head.
The day we took the Massey's Gap hike (July 4th!) was probably our warmest day there. I was able to actually just wear shorts and a t-shirt without five other layers. It was still super windy, though, and when we ate lunch on the top of the rock formations, whew! It was Isaac to the rescue, though, with his Wonder Camo Poncho (that's a former military man for you - always prepared!). He provided it for his blushing bride initially, but I had no qualms about sharing it with her. Frankly, it would have been a good cover to smuggle one of those ponies back with me, too.
We also did a bit of geo-caching with my sister Karen and her girls while we were there. You may remember that we did this last year, too. Karen and I found a really small one - smaller than a film cannister - but were totally unable to find another one. Even with six rowdy little ones along to help. It's always fun to look for hidden treasure. And doing this in the past has helped me to throw a rockin' pirate party.
Of course, one of the highlights for me was taking my new Wonder Camera (still deliberating regarding a name...Andrea suggested "Cameron"...not sure if that's going to stick or not) and taking some shots. The views and scenes are so gorgeous there that it's not too hard to get a good shot. My little Unwilling Photo Op Children let me pester them a bit, but they quickly and easily reached their limits. I found the wild flowers, huckleberries, and trees to be quite a bit more cooperative. Go figure.
This is probably my favorite "person" picture I took this weekend. I love Matthew's expression here. He is so, so hard to photograph with a natural face. Even this is a little forced, but I think it captures his sweet spirit. 
There is a picnic area in the park that has several "homestead" kind of rustic buildings. You know the ones - small home, spring house, barn, etc. Michael chose to check out the above. Complete with seat with hole. Where does it go, Mama? Where do you flush, Mama? Where's the potty paper, Mama? I'm just glad that the campground itself passed the Julie Bathroom Inspection. Except for that one frigidly cold shower I had to take. You know, the one that was so ice cold that I was only able to wash strategic parts.
We hiked another trail behind the Visitor's Center that we hike every year. It is also fairly easy and we often see deer, although we didn't this year. From the top of the rock formation on that trail ("Big Pinnacle"), you can look down and see the hike up to the top of Massey's Gap. There's quite a change in elevation within this park. Which also means quite a variation in temperature. We are constantly putting on and taking off clothes. Which makes it sound like we're a bunch of strippers. Which come to think of it, I guess we really were. No fears - no nudity occurred in the making of this post. Except for the freezing cold shower.
The Twin Pinnacles trail is on a mountain called "Haw Mountain", so named for these spiky Hawthorne trees. A good place to put your kids in time out when they eat all of Mommy's marshmallows. 
Oh, my sweet family. I complain to Alan sometimes about all the work involved with camping. It's not so much of a vacation for me what with the planning and shopping and packing and washing involved. He is always, always willing to help, but let's face it, I'm just a smidge more organized than he is. However, the time and memories we make on these trips are priceless (are you wiping a tear yet?). The boys could not be dirtier or hungrier or happier on these trips.
And getting to spend time with extended family makes it even better. The boys adore all of their many girl cousins and their cousins are so sweet and loving and mothering to them. Heavens, my boys are spoiled with the attention that their cousins shower on them. I love being able to trot over to my sister's campsite and coerce her into brushing our teeth together. I love sitting and watching the kids play with Alan's sister while I sip my coffee. It's all good. Even if I have to endure a sleet-style shower. We're usually ready to come home at the end of the week, but I have to say that despite the work, it really is a fun, relaxing time together.
And did I mention that it was great to get back home to my own bed and my own pets and my own HOT SHOWER? I thought so.
Sounds like a great time was had by all and you are the worlds BEST photographer even if you are a neophyte with the new camera. Glad you all had a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteGampy