Big Meadows

On the morning of June 27 we took Esther with us to the office to put in a few hours. It was the only day I had worked that week since we had the kids with us. So I had a lot to get done in a few hours. Esther had wanted to come with us but the boys stayed home with Uncle Ryan. Esther entertained herself with coloring and drawing pictures at the table in the office, chatting merrily away. Ryan met us at about noon with the Suburban and the boys. We had gotten all packed for camping the night before.
We headed to the Skyline Drive. Just before we passed Skyland the traffic was stopped on the Parkway. We knew someone was seeing some type of wildlife ahead and hoped the fuss wasn't over deer (which are everywhere and cease to delight after a while). When we got a little closer we saw that it was a young black bear. The kids were excited even though we didn't get to see it really close as the cars ahead of us sat there until it was heading back into the woods. Thanks to my camera with a telephoto lens I was able to get a fairly good picture of it.

By the time we arrived at our campsite it was getting close to dark. We had to make a decision--set up the tent or cook and eat while it was still light? We made the decision to make a campfire and make hobo pizzas over the fire and feed everyone while it was still light. As you can see we hadn't located the tablecloth yet! Of course, this meant setting up the tent in the dark. This was complicated by the fact that it was only the second time we had used this tent. The first time had been at Cunningham when we had had to make a hasty departure, leaving our tent at the site. Someone at the park had graciously taken down our tent and stored it until we could pick it up. However, they must have been in great haste when they did it because there was a good bit of tangle and one broken pole. Bill was able to improvise with a pole from an old tent and later was able to repair the pole for our next trip (actually he did it on our next trip to Rocky Gap--I praise God for a calm and creative husband. I would have dissolved in tears and slept in the car!) The kids made friends with the boys in the family camped next to us (literally next to us, we felt like they were sharing our campsite!). The boys found out that we were both Christians--it turns out that the family were missionaries until about a year and a half ago. They had started homeschooling while on the mission field and loved it so much that continued when they returned to the states.

Carl and Kimberly were meeting us on Saturday at Luray Caverns. (Actually, we met at a Burger King close by to have lunch before touring the caverns.) I don't think I had been there since before I was married so it was a treat. Carl and Kimberly had carefully prepared Alex for this experience. Maybe a little too well! They wanted him to prepared that the tour guide would probably turn out the lights briefly so that you could see how dark it got. As soon as we began down the steps into the cavern he flipped out. After Carl and then Dad-Dad had a little talk with him he calmed down. Later, Carl was able to reassure him that he had spoken to the guide and she wasn't going to turn out the lights on this particular tour. I got some wonderful pictures. Here, Dad-Dad is sharing the wonders of stalagtites and stalagmites with Daniel, who had a wonderful time but got tired of walking (as did we all!). Although I wouldn't say this was Alex's favorite destination, probably he could now tell you all about the formations. As usual, he submitted to having his picture taken but didn't take joy in it. Afterwards, we took a quick tour of a carriage and car museum, which is included in the admission. And, of course, looked through the gift shop where NiNi sprung for colorful rock candy for the kids. We loaded up the kids to head back to camp. We had only been able to reserve one campsite but, on arriving, had been able to get another on a loop just behind ours. Just as we were preparing supper, the wind picked up. It appeared that we were in for a whopper of a thunderstorm. We ate our supper of spaghetti very quickly and cleaned up. Happily, the storm never materialized and we were able to enjoy an evening of roasting marshmallows and making hobo pies. The next morning we ate a quick breakfast--the kids thought it would be fun to have backwards day. We had started a fire and I was making a hash brown casserole in my dutch oven, which would take at least an hour to bake. So we decided to eat a little something before the camp church service and then come back and have a more elaborate brunch. We had hot dogs with us (of course) so we roasted those (hence backwards day) before heading to the outdoor church service. The national parks cooperate with an Christian organization that provides people to do church services and other outreach things. Those with the organization hold jobs in the park and are given housing for a nominal fee. We enjoyed meeting a retired couple at Loft Mountain last year who were doing that. Bill and I both hope one day to be able to be a part of this outreach--when we are able to take a whole summer off. You have to be available for at least Memorial Day through Labor Day. At this church service two college students held the service. We were a little bit disappointed in the message (only because we saw where he could have developed it more fully and felt it was stopped short) but the fellowship and singing praises to God outdoors was wonderful. Then we headed back to our campsite to enjoy our brunch before packing up to go home.

Before leaving for home we stopped to take a hike down to Dark Hollow Falls. It was a very popular place that day and crowded. This is where Daniel fell and cut his forehead, requiring a later trip to the hospital for stitches. But the falls were beautiful. The climb back up was very strenuous but we took it slow, stopping to rest often and enjoying the sights along the way. Back at the car, Daniel's head was rebandaged and we said good-bye. Carl and family were heading to Culpeper on the way home to visit Sandy Abell who is the mother of Carl's college roommate at Va. Tech. He was killed in a car accident in Germany and our Daniel is named after him. I can let Kimberly tell that story.

On the way to the Skyline Drive on Friday we had seen a steakhouse, claiming to have the best steaks in the valley. We had decided we would stop there on the way home, which we did. We ordered the sirloin steak for two. It was huge--weight two pounds and filling a big platter. But the taste was bland and it was very fatty. We brought most of it home and ended up throwing it away. But it was fun to try a new place and the baked potato and sweet potato were both yummy (salad was so-so also). If this was the best in the valley, I think I would go out of the valley when I wanted steak!

Carl and Kimberly's kids love to look for "punch buggies" when traveling. So when we saw this sight, Dad-Dad laughed and called out "One-half Punch Buggy yellow". I thought the kids would get a kick out of seeing it. The guy was really pokey so Dad had to drive really slow to let him catch up to us so I could get this picture. Wouldn't it be fun to ride in the back seat?

All in all it was a wonderful trip. God has created so many wonderful places to see. I want to see them all! Each one is like a little tiny glimpse of how wonderful Heaven will be. Makes me jealous of Popdaddy and Ammaw who are enjoying it all in God's presence. I wonder if they have gotten off their knees yet?