Dodging Dorian

We have been planning a trip to Shenandoah National Park for some time. Hurricane Dorian started to form the few days before Labor Day weekend but we decided to go anyhow and drive back if the flight home was cancelled.

The cabin was very remote (exactly as described) and we were able to relax with old fashioned Nintendo video games, crafting and cooking on the grill while enjoying the birds and occasional deer that wandered by...

The hot tub was amazing!

Shenandoah National Park is about 2 hrs drive from DC. It’s known for bears (we didn’t see one though :(), spectacular views of the Blue Ridge mountains and Skyline Drive - a scenic road that goes through the whole park and provides over 70 outlooks along the way...Our first day was incredibly foggy so we didn’t see much of the views but walking in the woods and experiencing some Fall was really nice after the Florida heat:)

The next day we visited the amazing Luray Caverns - the biggest in the Eastern States. Inside, there’s a lake that is clear it looks exactly like a mirror!

And a formation that looks like a shaggy dog (I was missing Professor a lot that day:))

When we got back to Shenandoah, the visibility was perfect and we took in some of those famous views. We also hiked the popular Dark Hollows Falls...

But Big Meadows was my favorite - I’ve never seen so many wildflowers!

And then our flight home was cancelled...:(

After a bit of debate, we decided to make a road trip out of it and set out to see Congaree National Park, SC the next day. Congaree preserves the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the US. The park also has one of the highest concentrations of ‘champion trees’ in the world, with the tallest known examples of 15 species! We took the 2.4 mile boardwalk trail...

The trees are beautiful and we also saw a gorgeous barred owl!

And then we arrived home to no hurricane damage feeling refreshed and reenergized:)

I saw a great quote while I was away...

“Wilderness to the people of America is a spiritual necessity, an antidote to the high pressure of modern life, a means of regaining serenity and equilibrium” - Sigurd Olsen

So true. And now I can check off two more from the 61 designated National Parks in the US. Happy Labor Day!

Labor Day Weekend Cruise!

We had a lovely 4 day family trip to the Bahamas! 

We took the excursion to the beautiful Blue Lagoon Island which is about a half an hour boat ride from Nassau...

We were one of the first boats to arrive that morning so we got to see the dolphins getting excited for feeding time!

Maddy and I did the sting ray encounter which was fantastic! There were about 15 of them and the largest was over 200 lbs. They were very affectionate and eager to let you rub their wings and rub their noses:)

Then we gave them plates of food and felt their mouths underneath suction it up...

Then we snorkeled in their environment to watch them swim...

It was really interesting and we had a great time! Then we hit the beach for the rest of the day...

Happy Labor Day!!

Happy Labor Day!

This year we returned to our former tradition of spending Labor Day weekend with the Simards. We got rooms over on the East coast on Melbourne beach hoping to catch some sea turtle action since the hatchings are in full force this time of year. I got plenty of time to play with my camera :)

Mike saw a jellyfish in the ocean but I couldn't get a good shot until this guy came over and picked it up. He explained that he was a Biology teacher and you can't get stung if you pick up a jellyfish from the underside and keep the tentacles on the top. I won't be testing the theory any time soon but was very grateful for the photo opp!

The girls made great surfing subjects for some action shots :)

In the evenings we ate, chatted and played games. Jen killed us all in Apples to Apples. Twice!

And on the last day, Maddy and Mya got to release a loggerhead sea turtle hatchling that had been left behind in the nest...

 
I hope your Labor Day was everything you wanted it to be! Roll on Fall!!

Labor Day Weekend!

The only Disney resort that we've ever stayed at is the Caribbean Beach Resort - with Gail (15 years ago when I met Mike) and one Christmas a few years back. So we were really excited to book a trip to Disney's Port Orleans - Riverside for our annual Labor Day weekend with the Simards this year!

The room was fit for a princess which is handy since we have one :)

 

And those fancy pillows are just perfect for a good pillow fight :)

 

 

The resort area is all Louisiana themed and gorgeous just to walk around...

 

 

There are horse and carriages everywhere. This horse was called John. It's owner was called Dapple. Just kidding it was Crackerjack ;)

 

There are both fun, and relaxing pools to hang out at and watch the kids play...

 

 

and learn new tricks...

In the evening we went over to Downtown Disney on the boat...

 

 

There was an Irish festival at Raglan Road - the Irish pub...

 

And Mya rocked the house...

 

In the morning the girls loved the poolside entertainment!

 

Mike was the victim in the dunk tank :)

 

And later we got to try beignets!

 

It was a perfect escape from it all and only a 10 minute drive from home! Just 27 days to go and we'll have our new home :) Happy Labor Day!