Yesterday was a beautiful spring day here in Virginia. The sun was bright, the birds were singing and everything was returning to life once again. We couldn’t think of a better way to spend the day than to do a two family picnic and hike along the Shenandoah National Park.
Last October when we were out east visiting family we did our first trip to the lovely Shenandoah and were mesmerized by her spectacular beauty. We had only done the drive to admire the fall colors and stopped several times along Skyline Drive, the main artery through the park, to take pictures at the many road side lookouts. There are several excellent hikes along the way but with young children, we thought it was too soon to do anything of distance.
Five months later we thought perhaps it was time to give it a try. We packed a lunch and joined my sister and brother-in-law and their family for our first family hike. Four adults, five children ranging from five to thirteen years old, and a camera. We were all set!
We picked one of the most popular trails within the park, a 5 mile hike roundtrip to a waterfall. The terrain was relatively flat and easy save the large rocks. The moment we started the hike, all fears of our kids not making it were gone. Instead of lagging behind, they took off running and we were the ones who had to keep up.
It was a beautiful hike and I was amazed how behind springtime is in the mountains. Most of the leaves were not out and a few native spring flowers had started to bloom such as the lovely white trilliums which dot the forest floor in early April. We saw very tame deer, lots of people and fragrant tiny flowers along the trail. It was a gorgeous day and the perfect two-hour hike. Even my five year old daughter Sophia made it without having to be carried once. She must have some of her mom in her!
Here are some pictures along the way.
The best part of all was the sign above. We took a wrong turn trying to keep up with my husband and the kids and ended up hiking a mile or two straight downhill out of our way. The kids and Paul were back waiting at the parking lot wondering where on earth we had been! They really thought we were slow.
Stay tuned…
Beautiful!!! Looks like spring really has arrived!
Yes it is nice here. Especially all the tulips which I am fascinated with. How are the festivities in Antigua? I bet things are crazy now!
Pretty busy but Thursday and Friday are the biggest days. Then it’s going to be crazy!!!
Love the pictures. The scenery reminds me a lot of what we have here in the Ouachitas in Oklahoma and Arkansas. I especially like the shot of the waterfall. Keep on hiking and stay safe.
Thanks! I have been to quite a few states but never OK or AR. Looks like I will need to someday check them out! I do love to hike! It is the best way to relax and take a break from life! Thanks for commenting!
Great Post – Great Photos – thanks for sharing! Have a Great Day!
Amazing photos! I’ve heard lots about the Shenandoah National Park, but never had the opportunity to visit. Maybe I can fit it in on my next visit to the States 🙂
It is gorgeous but you would probably want to spend a bit of time out here as the entire park system and trail is quite huge. I also adore hiking out west too and love Arizona, Colorado and Wyoming. Too bad the States are so enormous! It makes it hard to see a lot since there is so much driving involved! Yet the East Coast is much more compact.
Gosh, that first photo is gorgeous, Nicole! Looks like you are having a wonderful visit.
Hugs,
Kathy
Thanks Kathy!
Great photos-love the family picture on the rock!
Thanks! I still can’t believe my five year old made it. We were hiking at least two hours.
I wish I could go hiking there!
It is even better in the fall!
I bet you have a lot of places in parts of England which offer extraordinary hikes!