Gary decided to take the day off on Monday, Columbus Day and since the weather was nice we decided to go on a hike. Gary chose a nice hike for us to the top of Mary's Rock in the Shenandoah Valley. It took about an hour and forty minutes to get there. It was a pretty drive, out through the more rural parts of Northern Virginia. The leaves on some of the trees were just starting to turn colors. Most were still green.
We ate lunch in the parking lot near the trail head. Much to our surprise, Jimmy's soccer coach and his teammate pulled up next to us and started on the same hike! We saw them again once we reached the top.
After cleaning up lunch, and inserting babies into carriers, we started off: me with Simon on my front, Gary with Jonathan on his back, Amelia with a really big stick, and Jimmy empty handed but raring to go.
The hike started with a lot of steep up hill. It would have been harder in warm weather, but we were blessed to have a nice cool day and lots of shade from the trees. Jimmy lead the way the entire way. He was full of energy. That is good. Amelia was excited for the first half mile and she was not far behind. Simon and I came next, with Gary and Jonathan bringing up the rear.
The trail we started on eventually met up with the Appalachian Trail. I had always heard of that trail and was fascinated when Gary told me it is 2000 miles long. I think we were on it for 1 mile. I guess that only leaves 1999 miles left to explore! It is a very well maintained trail, through beautiful forest and rock. I don't know what kind of trees there are, but they are not like the evergreen forests I hiked in as a kid. A few of the trees were starting to turn color for the fall, but I think that they are a few weeks away from peak color.
Once we got on the Applalachian Trail, Amelia lost her steam and started complaining. Everything was stupid. She sat down many times and refused to get up. She dragged her feet and whined. I lagged behind with her, trying to jolly her along.
"Think of the pioneers," I said. "They liked to sing when they walked. What song should we sing while we walk?"
"I don't want to sing," she said. "This is the worst day ever!"
Thus inspired, I made up a song for her entitled "The Worst Day Ever" This song is not directly a rip off of Sponge Bob's Best Day Ever Song (the kids love to check this cd out from the library) but it is close.
It's the worst day ever! It's the worst day ever!
We're on a hike and it is so long! Chon chon chon cha cha chon chon chon (no, it doesn't mean anything, it just fills space in the song)
And this is our worst day ever song!
Chon chon chon cha cha chon chon chon!
It's the worst day ever!
The worst day EVER!
No, it's not a master piece, but it did get her to the top of the mountain.
Once at the top, the kids thoroughly enjoyed climbing all over the very large rocks at the top of Mary's Rock and we really enjoyed the spectacular view of the valley.
It may have been Amelia's worst day ever, but it was the best day I've had in a long time.
The thrill of reaching the top is evident on Amelia's face. There were lots of great rocks for the kids to climb on.
This is us, at the start of the trail.
Here we are where the original trail meets up with the Appalachian Trail.
Jimmy had loads of energy, as a 6 year old should. He always ran ahead, and here he is having fun on a big rock next to the trail.
We have a book called Donald Duck, Mountain Climber. It's Jonathan's favorite. I asked him if he was a mountain climber and he said "Yes!" and then I asked (or Gary asked) if he could think of any other mountain climbers. We expected he would say "Unca Donald" (he calls Donald Duck "uncle Donald,") and were surprised (and pleased) that he responded "Daddy!"
This is me and Amelia. We are probably singing Amelia's song.
We ate lunch in the parking lot near the trail head. Much to our surprise, Jimmy's soccer coach and his teammate pulled up next to us and started on the same hike! We saw them again once we reached the top.
After cleaning up lunch, and inserting babies into carriers, we started off: me with Simon on my front, Gary with Jonathan on his back, Amelia with a really big stick, and Jimmy empty handed but raring to go.
The hike started with a lot of steep up hill. It would have been harder in warm weather, but we were blessed to have a nice cool day and lots of shade from the trees. Jimmy lead the way the entire way. He was full of energy. That is good. Amelia was excited for the first half mile and she was not far behind. Simon and I came next, with Gary and Jonathan bringing up the rear.
The trail we started on eventually met up with the Appalachian Trail. I had always heard of that trail and was fascinated when Gary told me it is 2000 miles long. I think we were on it for 1 mile. I guess that only leaves 1999 miles left to explore! It is a very well maintained trail, through beautiful forest and rock. I don't know what kind of trees there are, but they are not like the evergreen forests I hiked in as a kid. A few of the trees were starting to turn color for the fall, but I think that they are a few weeks away from peak color.
Once we got on the Applalachian Trail, Amelia lost her steam and started complaining. Everything was stupid. She sat down many times and refused to get up. She dragged her feet and whined. I lagged behind with her, trying to jolly her along.
"Think of the pioneers," I said. "They liked to sing when they walked. What song should we sing while we walk?"
"I don't want to sing," she said. "This is the worst day ever!"
Thus inspired, I made up a song for her entitled "The Worst Day Ever" This song is not directly a rip off of Sponge Bob's Best Day Ever Song (the kids love to check this cd out from the library) but it is close.
It's the worst day ever! It's the worst day ever!
We're on a hike and it is so long! Chon chon chon cha cha chon chon chon (no, it doesn't mean anything, it just fills space in the song)
And this is our worst day ever song!
Chon chon chon cha cha chon chon chon!
It's the worst day ever!
The worst day EVER!
No, it's not a master piece, but it did get her to the top of the mountain.
Once at the top, the kids thoroughly enjoyed climbing all over the very large rocks at the top of Mary's Rock and we really enjoyed the spectacular view of the valley.
It may have been Amelia's worst day ever, but it was the best day I've had in a long time.
The thrill of reaching the top is evident on Amelia's face. There were lots of great rocks for the kids to climb on. This is us, at the start of the trail. Here we are where the original trail meets up with the Appalachian Trail. Jimmy had loads of energy, as a 6 year old should. He always ran ahead, and here he is having fun on a big rock next to the trail. We have a book called Donald Duck, Mountain Climber. It's Jonathan's favorite. I asked him if he was a mountain climber and he said "Yes!" and then I asked (or Gary asked) if he could think of any other mountain climbers. We expected he would say "Unca Donald" (he calls Donald Duck "uncle Donald,") and were surprised (and pleased) that he responded "Daddy!" 
This is me and Amelia. We are probably singing Amelia's song.
1 comment:
What a great day and what beautiful pictures. I would love to do a hike like that.
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