Mountain Trip - Day 3 - Grayson Highlands SP(Take Two)

Now to the final post about my weekend mountain trip. I know most of you are probably bored off your rocker.

After all the snow on Saturday up in the Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia we weren't sure we would be able to hike the next day despite a forecast of temps in the 60's.

But.. we were! Take Two!

You can't really see it but I'm actually holding up two fingers.

 

We decided to take the Rhododendron Trail up to the Appalachian Trail.

 

That took us straight up into the park into Wilburn Ridge where the ponies are.

Gorgeous! If you ever get to Southwest Virginia -- you have to visit this park just as lovely as I was told.

As we got up higher we saw ponies in the distance!

They saw us too. These ponies are obviously fed by humans.

This guy made a beeline for us.

All the signs said not to pet(or actually the word 'molest' was on the sign), them so we didn't even though it was tempting.

The Ranger told us this little one was born the night before. The mama was pretty protective.

The trail was pretty but not totally what I was expecting.

Not as wooded as I would have thought. When we got on the Appalachian Trail it was rocky and we were literally 'climbing' at points. It reminded me of some of the hikes I did when I lived out West.

This part was almost cave like and giving the snow the night before it was slick!

Much of our hike was like this - slushy.

Which made for wet pants!

We hiked probably 5-miles total along the 'AT'. We turned around at a certain point because, to be honest, we were a little confused and I felt we might get lost.

We decided to hit another trail. The Cabin Creek Trail that had us hiking along a creek that included numerous waterfalls.

As usual -- most of the beauty is hard to capture on camera. You have to see it in person.

 

This trail is highly recommended if you visit this park. Peaceful and gorgeous.

It's considered strenuous and does have you climbing quite a bit.

All in all a great weekend trip! Brad and I are headed back to the same area this weekend but to ride our bikes on the Virginia Creeper Trail and explore Abingdon, VA.

I know..I know. Most people shop and get drunk on their vacations but I like to exercise! HA! Happy Humpday!

Vacations: Big vs. Small

Tis’ the season – the season to start planning spring and summer and even fall vacations! Last year took the cake. We traveled to California twice, Arkansas, Bahamas and the mountains and beach more than I can count.

This year we don’t have any ‘big’ vacations planned……YET..
I say ‘yet’, because who knows what friend will get engaged and we’ll be back on a plane on our way back to California. HAHA!

Anyway – we have mini trips around the area planned so far. I’m sure in the fall we’ll get to Ohio to see our friends on Lake Erie and for sure we’re going to NOLA and Baton Rouge for an LSU game!

But…until then here’s what we have planned for the month of April.

Next weekend – my hiking buddy K and I are headed to Virginia to hike in the Grayson Highlands State Park – click here to read more. I have never hiked in VA at all so this should be great!

We are actually going to stay in West Jefferson, North Carolina. It's on the border of VA and is said to be loaded with cute shops, galleries, wine and more. That's what I'm talking about!
It's K's birthday weekend too and I think it's going to be perfect!

Then the next weekend Brad and I are finally going to bike the Virginia Creeper Trail in Abingdon, VA.
34-miles downhill!
Can't wait! Read more about it by clicking here.

Our plan is to stay in a bed and breakfast but Brad won't let me book it yet until we see if it's going to rain. The B&B has a 10-day cancellation policy.
Cross Your Fingers!

So, that's the start of our mini-vacations for the year. We also have two weddings that will take us back to VA. One in Richmond the other in the DC area. Yes.. yes.. I'll be looking up you bloggies that live in that area. I've already talked to I Do Declare.
Not to mention a beach trip with the Stephens clan.

All in all -- I'm excited about our mini-getaways versus something big this year. It will give us a chance to explore more of the region we live in.
What do you prefer? One or two big vacations or a bunch of mini ones?

Lazy Weekend and Looking Forward

This weekend was probably one of the lowest key weekends we've had in a while. Literally, after getting home Friday night and taking my makeup off I didn't put a stitch of it back on until this morning for work.

Can I get a woohoo?!

I'm normally not like that but we've been on the go the past few weeks and Brad and I both enjoyed staying in, cooking, drinking wine and watching football.

Granted - we ventured to Lowe's, the Farmer's market, Sam's, Garden Ridge, Target and Pet Smart.
Brad helped a friend with his backyard living space and I planted some fall flowers and hit up the pool but overall very RELAXING!

Good thing we got some rest because we're about to be full-force ahead for the next month.

First thing -- Robyn has her surgery Wednesday so say prayers!! For all of you bloggies who so generously donated to our Race for the Cure team and want to keep up with her progress click here.

If you haven't donated and still want to -- click here.

Brad and I walk this coming Saturday in honor of Robyn and other survivors and those who lost their battle.

After Racing for a Cure we'll then be racing to get ready to head BACK to California. Brad is convinced it's the only place we vacation.
Those of you following the blog for the past year or so might agree?

Columbus Day weekend we pack and up head West to So Cal for Dawn and J's wedding. Dawn and I have been friends since 1998 when we worked together in Reno.

We're making the trek a sort of vacation as well because Brad has never been to the Los Angeles area. We're flying into Burbank -- touring through Hollywood and Beverly Hills then staying the night in Santa Monica.

Then, the next day we're driving through Malibu and on our way to Santa Barbara. Love this area...especially Montecito where Oprah's palace is. We'll spend the night there and then head over to Dawn's hometown for two nights.

Which is? Ojai!

Who watches Brother's and Sisters? You might be familiar if so.

Ojai is beautiful and serene. I used to go and visit all the time when I lived in VEGAS. Dawn and I would hike, and bike. Lovely indeed.

The wedding is 10.10.10

Very cool date if you ask me and the wedding should be a blast as the couple now resides in NOLA and they have a local NOLA band coming to play.

Oh.. one of the other things I look forward to doing on this trip(if I can convince Brad). Visit the Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. I know... nerd. I'm a total nerd. It's suppose to be awesome though.

Well, that's all I have for today!! What's going on with you peeps?

Sorry for the absence

As I posted earlier on in the week we've been at the Outer Banks area of North Carolina 'beaching' it.

There were four other couples that we traveled with(one which isn't in this picture), and it was fun.

As you can see in the pictures below -- we played games, drank, ate and even hit a few tourist spots in the area.

The big bummer -- my Uncle David finally passed on Saturday and tomorrow morning I get on a plane to travel to Hot Springs, Arkansas to be with my family.

More to come..

Low-Country boil

Jockey's Ridge State Park

Wright Brother's Memorial and Museum

Wright Brother's Memorial and Museum

cornhole!

Ladder ball