We're pretty sure that we're crazy, but once we learned that Colleen was going to go along with our adventures without too much difficulty, we planned our annual hiking trip to Shenandoah National Park. The kids were excited for weeks beforehand, remembering all kinds of details about past visits and planning on the fun they would have. Austin was happy to be actually hiking this year and having his own backpack to carry. Because of the freezing temperatures we experienced last year and Colleen's age, we opted to go earlier in the season; the autumn foliage was non-existent, but the temperatures were perfect! It stayed in the high-50's to mid 60's. Even the cloudy, drizzly weather on Saturday was nice to hike in.
We drove down after work on Friday and woke up Saturday morning to start our hikes! Even though we hadn't paid for a room with a tv, we were upgraded (probably because of our late arrival). So the kids watched some cartoons.
Since we had success with it last year, we started with the same two hikes on Saturday.
Not too far into the hike, we encountered 3 deer! The kids were very quiet so we didn't spook them, but they were far enough off that photos were difficult with the drizzle.
Last year's little brook was quite the rushing stream after many days of rain. So we played pooh sticks, of course!
Amelia's job was to read the trail markers and tell us which way to go.
Taking pictures of each other on rocks
Still banging on trail marks with big sticks
Taking a break at the end of that hike.
We grabbed hot dogs at the wayside and ate lunch under the visitor center's roof since it was still wet.
We got out the kids' bikes and headed to the Limberlost Trail for bike riding practice. The kids really did great for most of the trail. There were some big hills that were tough to climb, so they did need help getting up those. But both of their steering skills improved greatly from riding the trail.
This bridge is so much fun! You make funny bumping sounds when you go over it.
Surprisingly, they didn't ask to take too many photos on stumps this year.
Post-bike ride cookie and planning our next hike.
We headed back to our room to blow bubbles and take a break before our late afternoon hike, and we discovered that a wedding was being set-up!
Daddy got in some giggles with Colleen before we left.
More Go Fish
We tried a new trail that was described as 'easy to moderate', up a mountain-side to an amazing view. I don't have many photos of the trail because it ended up being a significant rock scramble. We were so impressed with the kids; it was definitely above a 3 year and 5 year old level, and yet they really tried their best. Austin kept the best attitude, talking about all the rocks around him and singing songs. We didn't make it all the way to the top; we turned around when we felt we had pushed them far enough, knowing we still had to make the return trip. We think we went just a tenth of a mile short of the view, but we were satisfied. We kept reminding the kids that as a family, when we work as a team, we can do hard things. And that seemed to really resound with them and kept them positive and having fun. And we played a version of animal scattergories that made the return-hike fly by.
Interesting growth
An observation point
Returning to the trailhead
They insisted on posing with the sign.
When we returned back to our room, the wedding was over (probably for the best that we were gone hiking while it took place!) So we relaxed in our room, watching football and playing Go Fish.
After dinner, the kids played in the empty wedding venue.
The next morning the drizzle was gone, and we watched the clouds slowly disappear during our morning hike.
Breakfast with a view of clouds
The office had a lovely view and comfy rocking chairs.
The kids were entertained by checkers.
Our first hike of the second day was one of our favorites from past years, the Little Stony Man. While a mountain hike, it was not nearly as difficult as the day before. We took our time and waited to see their responses when we reached the view.
Quick pull-off on the drive to Little Stony Man
Amelia leading the way
Rest
They loved it and were thrilled to understand what we had been describing to them. They immediately pulled out their cameras and snapped photos. When we arrived, we had the observation point to ourselves for a good 10 minutes before other hikers showed up.
View above the clouds
A little self-timer action
Cookie break
Patrick did a little more exploring while we were eating cookies and discovered this pool that was full from the previous days of rain. It was really quite beautiful.
Precariously posed
When a diaper has to be changed, it doesn't really matter where you are....
Back at the trailhead - they were so excited to say that they did it!
After a picnic lunch, we headed to the Big Meadows for some wandering in the grasses.
A big pile of rocks entertained us for quite a while.
We found the mowed trail up to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp area. The placards gave some really interesting information. And the kids just loved running around.
Daddy playing the Austin-banjo
Yes, those are my redneck children running around in a large meadow with no shirts on. They kept complaining that they were hot (it was the upper 60's and sunny!). Since no one was around, Daddy said they could and it lasted until we headed into some taller grasses.
Watching the fuzzy white caterpillar (one of many we saw).
After our adventures in the meadow, we decided to squeeze in one more hike before heading out of the park for the night. On our drive toward the north entrance of the park, we had 2 different sightings of 2 black bears; the first crossed the road behind us, and the second ambled alongside the road. It was amazing (and not at all frightening since we were in the van). We completed a new-to-us trail right next to the visitor's center. It was down into and then back up and out of a hollow that was once a huge field with a few sycamore trees. It's now a forested walk, with a cemetery, millstones, a spring and other interesting things for kids to see.
They had a special kids' map for this hike. Amelia is showing that we've arrived at the greenstones area; the stones were the piles made by the farmer who removed them from the field.
Crossing a stream that we had previously seen the spring that started it!
Patrick being dramatic about the inclines from the walk.
But fun was had by all!
On our initial drive down to Shenandoah, we definitely asked ourselves if we were crazy for attempting a hiking trip with three young kids. Particularly knowing that there would be less sleep than normal from sharing a room. But we drove home marveling at how much fun we had, all the sweet memories and moments we shared, and that the kids really seemed to 'get' why we were doing this crazyness. They surpassed our expectations - completing 4.5miles on the first day and just under 4.0miles on the second. There were some meltdowns by Amelia, but she quickly recuperated and returned to singing, pointing out interesting things and chattering. Austin was so pleasant; he had a great attitude with each trail, asking questions and being silly. He didn't complain or grumble for having the shortest legs! And Colleen was her sweet self, snoozing in the carriers, enjoying the fresh air and going along for the ride.
We recently had a friend say to us that parents can't choose which memories their kids have as adults, but parents can create the memories from which their kids have to choose. We pray that these family trips provide our kids with great options for future memories.
