Mulberry Street

Eliza invited us to spend our sunny super Tuesday outside and we jumped at the opportunity, well I jumped at the opportunity.  The kids appreciated the warm air and the freedom to explore, not the part while we actually had to hike from point to point, but what can you do? I lugged my camera along AND actually snapped some photos of the island.

I hiked "Old Rag" the highest peak in Shenandoah National Park with three friends.  While I hiked I found myself wondering why, having lived in VA for so many years, I haven't hiked this mountain before.  It was fantastic.  The drive to the trail head was stunning and full of picturesque farms lining the base of the mountains.  Heidi, Shelly, Brooke and myself put on our support braces, taped up problem areas on our legs and took some pain relief before setting out on foot.  Hiking in our thirties and forties is very different from hiking in our twenties! The ascent was steep, rocky and full of roots.  We were so focused on the trail that we had to remind ourselves to glance around once in awhile.  The beauty surrounding us was spectacular.  There is about a mile section of the trail called the "rock scramble" which literally means tossing up your pack and scrambling on all fours up and down and around the boulders. ...

We went for a nature walk on our trail, threw rocks into the stream, had a snack and then left before Benjamin could soak his pants to his waist.  Success. We skipped one of Benjamin's naps and paid for it for days afterward.  We played a lot of video games too. We made bead necklaces.  Emory went for a military themed look while Genevieve was inspired by butterflies. We went to the zoo and saw everything there was to see.  The kids had a blast and when they complained about tired feet, I bought them ice cream and everything melted away... We went on a hike in Fountainhead with friends.  The kids found courage to do some climbing...across logs and up very tall hillsides. We rode bikes at the school, played on the playground, and splashed in puddles.  The most valuable lesson learned that evening?  That swings follow the law of inertia AND gravity. We dyed Easter eggs for the fun of it.  Be...