mountain retreat

It's that time of year again, a little early this time actually. We made our annual trek to Shenandoah National Park for some camping and hiking. Past years with Naia being a wee sprite we stayed in the lodge, which is lovely and rustic. But now that she is a force of nature we decied to be one with nature and pitch our new tent in the park with some friends.

(Come one, let ME show you how to start that fire guys!)

The week was full and relaxing all at once. The kids worked on their Junior Ranger badges...

And climbed and hiked...

And pigged out...

And we allhung out in the lodge a bit on a rainy day...

And spotted wildlife...

The deer were everywhere, but the excitement came when on two different hikes we had close encounters with Black Bears. We learned that they are fairly shy and were just as startled to happen upon us as we were to stumble upon them. And I learned that I will never be a wildlife photographer because I was too busy pulling my gaping jaw off the ground to snap any photos of the bears. 

(Naia in the bear box. The park provides these for campers so we can lock up our food and such at night and deter bears from rummaging in our campsite for snacks.)

This was more my speed of catching wildlife.

Once again I want to wax poetic about our natioanl park service and the amazing things they do. The programs they put on, the way they happily and helpfully interact with the kids, and of course protecting these wild spaces for generations to experience and enjoy.