Hiking the Blue Ridge Parkway {PHFR}

~PRETTY~

Two weeks ago our family drove the Blue Ridge Parkway from Charlottesville, VA to Asheville, NC.  While in Charlottesville we visited Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson and in finished our trip with a visit to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville.  Both places were fantastic for parents and children and we recommend them for family vacations.  Our whole family agreed, however, that the best part of the whole vacation was the scenery and hiking in the mountains. 



 It was still early Spring and in the higher elevations the trees were just budding.  It was truly beautiful.  We kept asking ourselves what it would be like to live in the valleys between these mountains year-round.  I hope we can make it back during the snowy season someday.

~HAPPY~

We lucked out on our first stop and found this little waterfall an old logging railway.  (We had no map to follow and the park ranger stops hadn't re-opened after the winter months.) I ripped a hole in the knee of my yoga pants in my struggle up the hill far behind my family.  Taking photos slows a girl down! I didn't mind that tear though, it was well worth it.

~FUNNY~

What goes up must come down, right?  Well that's what I was shouting to my brave explorers as they attempted to scale a rock face along the roadside.  I had images of broken ankles flashing through my mind but luckily Dad was there to help them down.

~REAL~

 Have you ever carefully packed an entire suitcase of your own clothing, shoes and jewelry only to enter your hotel room and ask your husband where that little black suitcase is and have him stare at you in a way that plunges your stomach into your toes?  Well, I have.  On this very trip I happened to leave my own tidily packed suitcase behind on the way out the door.  I stood there in that hotel room, one hour before we needed to be at Saturday Easter Vigil Mass and looked down at my yoga pants and tennis shoes trying to process what to do.  There wasn't even time to go shopping at Target! :) 

Then I remembered that I had stuck one extra church outfit along with sandals and my PJs in my boys' large suitcase.  Whew!  Never before had I been so grateful to see so little clothing.  And the best part of it was the ease and freedom I felt all weekend not having to choose which outfit, shoes and jewelry to wear.  A little extra spritz of perfume and out the door I went!