Shenandoah Getaway

Things have been busy.. summer seems to be getting away from us and I feel we just didn't have enough time. This summer we got bogged down by a lot of things that just had to be done. But we did manage a little getaway.. it had it's fare share of bumps but hey we are living in a crazy world right now and we have got to make do with what we got.

We got a VBRO in Luray, Virginia, but before we got there we made a little stop to Assateague Island. We had been there before, many moons ago when D was a little little guy and M had always wanted to go back to explore it better. For those of you don't know Assateague Island is a barrier island off the coast of Maryland and Virginia inhabited by wild Chincoteague ponies. Last time we took a boat ride around the island this time we rode our bikes through it and it was amazing! We had come mentally prepared to so few to no horses but lady luck was on our side and we saw a pack of horses even before we got on our bikes. 



The next couple of days we spent living in Luray and hiking the trails of Shenandoah Valley National Park.

To enter the park it cost $25 per vehicle and is valid for 7 consecutive days. The last time we visited the park we had only driven through a portion of it. This time we did 5 hikes.

Our first hike was an accident.. we were supposed to be hiking Mary's Rock via the Meadow Springs Trail, a 1.4 mile loop. We parked in the Meadow Springs parking lot and instead of crossing the road and walking a couple of extra yards (how were we supposed to know that?) There were no signs.. the online trail guide said follow the blue blazes.. we spotted the blue on the trees and followed. We went almost 2 miles one way when we decided to turn around... there was no summit in sight.. no people to be seen and D who is allergic to bee got stung by something! He was a trooper.. we were fully equipped with meds and thankfully he was not allergic to this particular bee... but we still had to make the 2ish mile journey back to the car. We were wrecked by the time we returned to our car. We warned a couple who was about to make the same mistake as us. There was no way we were going to go on our second planned hike for the day.. so we headed back to our rental and the kids spend the rest of the afternoon in the pool.


The next day we attempted Mary's Rock again.. it was a pleasant hike.. nowhere near as difficult as our accidental one.. the summit was gorgeous. And then on the way back I got stung by a bee. I mean seriously.. no one was really in the mood to hike anymore.. so thank god for the pool waiting for us. 

On our third day we took a break from the park and went horse back riding instead. This is an activity that we have been promising the boys for quite some time and every time something happens.. this time we got a call early in the morning that due to a heat warning all afternoon rides were going to be cancelled. Luckily they had an opening for us in the morning.. We visited Jordan Hollow Stables and had the most perfect time. The horses were gorgeous, our guide a sweet teenager.


H there is riding 8 year old Misty, D on 18 year old Josie, I was on 8 year old Colorado and M on 10 year old Swift. The last three were siblings. They were the gentlest creatures. 



Afterwards we visited the Luray Caverns. This was our second trip to the caverns, you read more about our first visit to the caverns and Shenandoah here. D was only two.


a then and now




For those of you who have never visited caverns, I'd suggest a visit. They are pretty cool. This above picture is a real marvel, the lower half is water and it's perfect reflection, no photoshop. 

We were hitting our stride now.. no more bee stings.. though my upper arm was very itchy and had started to get hot and swollen. 


On day four we hiked Stony Man, a 1.5 miles loop. An easy hike with a very cool and very terrifying outcrop of large boulders when you have kids who make sudden movements. Unfortunately it was a cloudy days so not a great view.



On our last day we did two hikes, the first was Dark Hollow Falls a 1.4 mile loop.



It was a steep hike back but not too bad. The water level was low that day but it was still a lovely place to just sit.


Our last hike was the Blackrock Summit. It was the shortest and coolest hikes of all. Just a mile long and a summit covered in rocks and boulders, as far as the eye could see. It was quite a sight. The kids loved climbing them.. 



And the next day we packed up, took one last dip in the pool and headed back home. Our largest complaint minus all the bee stings was the lack of good food. There wasn't a lot of diversity. Our best meals were sandwiches from West Main Market, a decent Mexican restaurant named Camino Real and a nice dinner at Moonshadows even though service was very very slow. Otherwise pickins were real slim. 
       
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Comments

  1. These pictures are amazing!

    Jennifer
    Curated By Jennifer

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  2. there is nothing like fresh air! What breathtaking views you were able to share together - Everyone looks so happy! You have a beautiful family.

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  3. What a great trip... you did so many fun things!! I'm sorry about the bees, though. Just keep in mind how important they are to the world. (which still doesn't make it any fun to get stung!)

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  4. Your babies sure have grown. Such a lovely vacation! Except for the bees.

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  5. Great that you managed this fun getaway. This summer really seems to be going by so quickly.

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  6. A fabulous summer break! Horse back riding is so much fun. I really miss going out riding. There is just not enough time in a day. Those views are breathtaking. Shame about the food, this can be so disappointing.

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  7. It's great to see you back. That looked like a great vacation minus the bee stings! That kind of stinks about the food. I totally get being terrified with those outcropping of rocks and young kids. Caverns are so cool to visit. We saw horses when we stopped at Assateague too. It was such a treat!

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  8. I’d love to visit. Looks beautiful 😍

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  9. All photos you shared are amazing! Looks a great Vacation. I would love to visit there places.

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  10. Despite the stings (bees blow me up in dramatic fashion) and the slim pickings it looks and sounds like a wonderful get away. I am so happy that you had the opportunity.

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  11. That's crazy about the bee stings. It's like they were bullying you guys!!
    But I loved seeing the views, the caverns and I would love to go horseback riding...it's been forever.
    XOOX
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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  12. Oh yay, I live in Virginia so I'm loving your adventures in my state. I haven't visited a lot of those places since I was a kid and really need to go back sometime. I agree that there isn't much in the way of restaurant selection in Luray. It's pretty off the beaten path.

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  13. What a beautiful time you had...well, except for that sting. We live very close to Luray.

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  14. Looks like it was a great time. Love seeing the old and new photos in the same place. I love horseback riding!

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  15. Yes I am so busy I feel overwhelmed like I don't have enough time. How cool to get to all these fun places! You guys looked like you had a great time!

    Allie of
    www.allienyc.com

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  16. You got some great family pictures out of it. Sorry about the bee stings. That didn't sound like fun.

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  17. Fabulous photos, Hena.

    Sounds like a fun trip except for the bee.

    Happy Tuesday!

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  18. Awesome that you guys are having a wonderful family time in the nature.

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  19. What a fun getaway! Stunning views!
    xoxo
    Lovely
    www.mynameislovely.com

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  20. When I was about your boys'ages, I loved the book "Misty of Chincoteague" and others in by the author, Marguerite Henry. I can't imagine a more delightful holiday and it looks like you all had a fabulous time.

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  21. What a wonderful trip! We have Shenandoah on our list of parks to visit. Those caverns look amazing!

    https://www.kathrineeldridge.com

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  22. These type of family vacations are the best- you see so much and explore! xo, Biana

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  23. Summer has just speeding by, hasn't it?
    In spite of the bumps, it looks like you had a amazing getaway.
    How lucky you were to see so many horses on your bike ride around Assateague Island. And it looks as if we're not the only ones getting lost on hikes. Same as happened to you, we've been on hikes where we didn't even find the start :-) Those caverns are truly stunning! xxx

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  24. What a special trip! Seeing the wild ponies must've been too cool- I used to read about them when I was a kid and thought it was amazing they lived in the wild in the US.

    And those mountain views! So many cool sights for you guys to look back on.

    -Ashley
    Le Stylo Rouge

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  25. The horses are so beautiful! Oh, I know what you mean about this summer getting away too fast!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

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  26. What a fun getaway. It looks just like something that the boys would need during this time we are in. Horses make everyone happy. Love that white one.
    The caverns look cool and interesting. My favorite photo is of them looking into the distance and father teaching them about things.

    I want to thank you for your prayers for the fires in California. There are many of them throughout, and we sure need rain. I hear we will get a lot of snow this Winter. : )

    ~Sheri

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  27. Your babies sure have grown

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  28. Oh wow! What an awesome getaway, Hena...despite the bee stings and all, that is really great that you guys got to do these hikes:)

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  29. Fantastic pictures! Love the before and after in the cavern. The bee stings were not fun souvenirs, but the memories of a great family trip will be!

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  30. This getaway looks incredible!!! How cute are those ponies!

    www.rdsobsessions.com

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  31. Oh wow darling the photos are so pretty
    So wonderful place

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  32. this is a trip i would love, but could never do, i assume my hiking days are over!! you take the best trips and your images are beautiful, i'm so glad you got to see the horses!! the boys are so sweet...cherish these trips while you can, my boys would not go anywhere with us once the hit 16!!

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  33. The caverns brought back fond memories of a family vacation we took to the Carlsbad Caverns some years ago now. Fun times!!

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  34. It sounds like you had an amazing trip! I would love to see some wild horses someday. Thanks for sharing your adventures!

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  35. Anonymous8/26/2021

    How cool to see wild horses and the horses you rode looked great. Man, those bees. I have gotten stung once. It was a weird experience.

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  36. Oh wow! This park looks amazing. I wish I could visit someday but it seems so far away for me. I'm so sorry about the bee stings. How weird to get stung by bees while hiking. I never heard of such a thing.

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  37. Looks like a fabulous trip!! Glad you all had a chance to get away.

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  38. What a wonderful outings with your family and a fun horse ride! I visited Luray caverns many years ago and found it so interesting. I remember the guide telling us the difference between Stalagmites and Stalactites. The last photo should be printed and framed!

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  39. Oh yes the joys of parenting LOL. Twice a week that sounds intense but yes the numbers are going up. But on a bright note love these photos!!

    Allie of
    www.allienyc.com

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  40. Looks like a fabulous trip!! So wonderful place, Thanks for sharing your adventures!
    Love: Mariann Yip
    https://www.mariannyc.com/september-2021-goals/

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  41. I love these you recommended. The Harry Potter one is such a classic. I read that as a kid. It is fun to go back and read classics as well as discover new reads :) http://www.bauchlefashion.com/2021/09/the-toastiest-faux-fur-coats-to-wear.html

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