Memorial Day Weekend Camping at Shenandoah State Park...

We had a really fun spur of the moment camping trip during Memorial Day Weekend. The trip was inspired by our purchase of a new truck - yes - we now own a pick-up truck. This thing is a towing beast though and we were so excited to give it a try. By some lucky chance someone had canceled their site at the Shenandoah River State Park and so we jumped on it and had the best time. 

We were pleasantly surprised to be able to get such a great site - since we had the only spot open we figured it would be a dud - turned out to be the best site we've had there yet. The kids loved the big open space and Harper really enjoyed shoveling up the gravel into his dump truck - rinse and repeat. 

 

Adam had so much fun riding his bike around the campground and there were a ton of other kids around that he found himself racing round and round the loop. He clocked in quite a bit of bike time for sure. 

We also did a lot of hiking around the campground. The views are spectacular and the lack of cell service is truly a welcomed inconvenience. 

On Memorial Day we decided to head over to the Shenandoah National Park for a longer hike. We used one of Andy's company perks of fitness spending and purchased an annual pass to the National Park Service - we've already gotten a ton of use out of it - but more on that later. The hike we took was pretty challenging but Adam did great and Harper - well, he had a lift so he was fine and even fell asleep! Our efforts were rewarded with a stellar view and then a downhill second half! Ice cream from a roadside stand was our second reward. :) 

It was an awesome weekend and the truck proved to be a great purchase - Andy said he didn't even feel like he was towing the camper! 

We can't wait to go back to this beautiful campground for our apple picking tradition this fall!

Camping in the Shenandoah...

One of our favorite parts of camping has been getting to spend a fall weekend apple and pumpkin picking. Sadly last year we had to skip our fall trip while Harper was in the NICU so this year we planned early so we could get a site at the Shenandoah State Park and make up for lost time. 

We hadn't been to this campground in several years and had honestly forgotten that the cell service was non-existent. It's amazing how reliant we are on our phones and connectivity - but actually, being "off the grid" turned out to be just what we needed. 

The weather was cool and a little bit rainy, but we didn't let that hold us back from our apple and pumpkin picking. We started our morning with a big breakfast at a local diner. Harper pounded scrambled eggs and a big pancake and Adam of course took care of some chocolate chip pancakes - man those boys can eat! After that it was off to the apple orchard. We picked lots of golden delicious and fuji apples until our bag was full. Even Harper got in on the action. 

Then it was on to the pumpkin patch where Adam picked out his pumpkin and also enjoyed a cup of fresh apple cider. 

We then spent the rest of the day at the campground. We went for a few hikes to see the river and while Harper napped I finally read the latest "Harry Potter" book - see, being "off the grid" has it's advantages! We played lots of football, Adam practiced his Ninja Warrior skills by climbing the walls, and Harper enjoyed playing outdoors with his toys as well. We even met another labradoodle who just happened to be Sadie's sister - she came from the same parents just one liter later. Small world! 

We cooked all of our meals over the campfire which was a new experience for us and let me tell you, it was some delicious food. Lots of time was spent chatting fireside and just like that the weekend was over but at least we were left with some great memories - and a ton of apples!