Shenandoah NP

This past weekend we headed to the great state of Virginia (say it with a southern accent please) to visit Shenandoah NP.  Jacob and I (and now Hersh by association) love a good Memorial Day Weekend getaway, as it is the anniversary of our wedding weekend--8 years of matrimonial bliss tomorrow, May 30!

Our weekend began with us hitting the road and visiting our very first Virginia winery.  This happened to be Hersh's first experience wine tasting as well.  He enjoyed oyster crackers and mayim, while Jacob and I sampled 10 wines.  We all enjoyed this recreational activity--reminiscent of our wine tasting days in eastern WA.  We then drove to Strasburg, VA where we stayed at a lovely Fairfield Inn and Suites.  The hotel was new and clean, and the closet was the perfect size for Hersh's crib (with the doors open), allowing us to create a cozy sleeping space for all.  After checking in and having a little nap, we drove into the park to check out the famous Skyline Drive.  The mountains are beautiful, and we enjoyed the beginning of sunset.

On Sunday we woke up and attended the hotel breakfast, which was convenient yet overwhelming for all.  Our friends Antonio and Ariana were also in Shenandoah for the weekend, and we had planned to hike with them.  We drove to mile 33 in the park and hiked to Hazel Falls, which was just under 5.5 miles round trip.  It was a really beautiful hike.  Jacob carried Hersh in the pack for the entire hike to the falls.  At the falls we relaxed, snacked, and put our feet in the fresh water.  On the hike out (which was mostly uphill, very hot, and to be honest totally brutal at the end) Hersh walked for about 1/2 mile, which is the longest he's ever walked on a hike, and rode Abba the rest of the way out.  Hersh passed out almost immediately when we got in the car.  We finished our day with a driving tour of Strasburg, lead by Dr. J.M. Lewis, and ice cream from a local spot.

On Monday we were on the road by 9:30am and went strawberry picking in a field we discovered while wine tasting.  It was really hot in the strawberry patch, but all three of us enjoyed the experience and are now enjoying the strawberries!

It was a wonderful getaway.  Jacob and I are both pleasantly surprised at how close Shenandoah is, while feeling a world away.  Being out there definitely allowed us to have the same away/care-free feeling that we often had while taking weekend trips from Seattle.

In Hersh news, he has been singing two songs of late: Des Colores, which is a song from our music class,  and  All G-d's Critters which is just as cute as it sounds.  He has both books out from the library and seems to be loving the reading/singing combo that the books allow.  When singing All G-d's Critters,  there is a line, "and the old cow just says," and then Hersh emphatically says, "MOO MOO MOO."  Best moo I've ever heard!

Bath time smiles:

Shenandoah NP:

Blue Ridge Mountains

Gotta wear shades.

Running!

Jumping!

Family portrait?

Sunset

Hazel Falls Hike:

The crew.

Hazel Falls

Relaxing

Fueling up.

Whoohoo for family hiking!

A and A--we are glad they moved here too ;)

Lots of butterflies.

Hersh and Ariana hiking up from the falls.

Passed out with Puppy.

 Ice Cream Action:

Strawberry Picking: