Goodbye Virginia

There was one last picture on my camera when we got back to Ohio a couple of days ago. It is the view as we turned a bend while at Shenandoah Crossing, heading toward the lodge to check out. In the background, you can see the Manor House on the resort property, along with the mountains.

Breathtaking view. It would be a great thing to wake up to that every morning.

The Ride

Ashleigh and Isaac leading the pack.

Isaac and Roxy.

Yours truly and Charlotte.

Colleen and June.

Matt and Buddy.

Audrey and Ginger.

Luke and Honey.

Lake Izac in Gordonsville, VA

Peacock in person

At Shenandoah Crossing in Virginia, around the horse stables, there is alot of farm activity. There are two resident peacocks who roam the resort property (and beyond), which is quite odd if you have never seen a peacock in person.... let alone walking across a parking lot.  

A-MA-ZING creatures. The coloring of the feathers is just incredible.

The male peacock, of course, is the prettier of the two genders. He is the one with the fan of feathers that go up in defense or in an effort of show... and he shakes them... in little pulsing motions. It is seriously crazy.

I asked every 'why' question possible while we were in the 'farm' area of the resort. Why did the peacock DO THAT? Why did the one horse kick the other one in the face? Why is that horse sneezing uncontrollably? WHAT is the name of that furry-like rooster? Why does the prettier of the species have to be male? 

The peacock was surrounded by hens and roosters when he spread his tail feathers, and according to those who were so kind to entertain me with answers, he was showing off to the other fowl in the area. He was not afraid, but he wanted them to know he is so kick ass better looking than them.

He is so right. (These pics were taken with my cell phone from 1998, so they suck. But you get the gist.)

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Spring Break | Shenandoah Valley | Horseback Riding

Today, we woke up with a phone call from the horse stables at 7:45am. We confirmed our horseback riding appointment for late in the afternoon. Woot-woot!

None of us really know anything about horses, so it was a day of learning. We hung, no pun intended, with many horses, all day long. And roosters, hens, peacocks, turkeys, and a baby calf.

I now feel like all you need to know in life, can be learned on a farm, with farm animals.

No one was bitten. No one was bucked. No one fell off. And only one ended up on his hindlegs due to a squirrel in the woods.

Isaac was petrified. You wouldn't know it by these pictures. He quickly warmed up to his horse.

Audrey was pumped. Ian acted like it was no big deal and he could do it over and over again.

We had the papparrazzi following us ... "Nathan's Dad"... the kid in front of me on a horse had a Dad with a big lense... and legs that carried him throughout the entire trail, while he snapped pictures of all of us. He is supposed to email those to us, and I can't wait to see what we looked like ON THE HORSES.

Audrey and Ginger.

We don't know the name of this horse, but he/she had ice blue eyes. Prettiest horse eyes ever.

The horses were so sweet with this 4 week old calf.
This horse had almost cartoon-like eyes... even when they are closed.

We can't be sure as to 'why', but these two needed large helmets.

This is Penny. She and I had lots of good conversation.
The horse's ability to listen is an amazing thing.  

The horse riders, very much like the horse whisperers.

Ian and Penny, the pony, who really isn't a pony,
but the smallest, most ridable for those under age 8.

Isaac and Roxy. She treated him well. There is hope that he will ride again.

Luke and Honey, the scaredy-squirrel-pants of a horse.

Equestrified.

Donkey + Horse = Kate the Mule. Mules cannot make mule babies. Did you know that? I did not. Mules are very sweet. Kate was the sweetest and my most favorite of the day.

Isaac and Roxy. Hugs for Roxy at the end of the ride.  

Must be the most disgusting creature on the planet, especially in contrast to the most beautiful, which is the peacock. Pictures to follow of that handsome fella. If only there was video of the male peacock trying to show off his beauty to the hens. Quite a sight.

Nice segway to Wayne wearing Colleen's wife beater at the pool, which was OPEN today!

At the outdoor pool, we mostly hot tubbed while the kids swam in the freezing cold water.

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I want to give a shout out to the resort where we are staying --- Shenandoah Crossing in Gordonsville, VA.  We have fallen in love with this place, and think it would be even more awesome in the summer.   We are not the 'outdoors' type, but this place is perfect, with quick access to some awesome historical sites along with the Appalacian Mountains, and lots to do for everyone, especially families.

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Spring Break | Shenandoah Valley | Part Tres

Yesterday we hung out around the resort, which reminds me a lot of the locale of the movie Dirty Dancing. We grilled out for lunch, enjoyed the sun, played putt putt, fed the horses, built leaf piles and walls of tree branches, grilled again for dinner, and swam.

Moi rocking the tether ball court.

Me kicking some Audrey bootay.

My victory move.

Chest bump.

Spring Break | Shenandoah Valley | Part Dos

Yesterday, we invited the Bowers over for a breakfast of eggs, bacon, cereal, grapes and anything else we could find to scrape together before we headed to the grocery store.

The girls and Wayne went running/biking... Matt took the boys swimming and to the arcade... and me and Colleen went to the SuperWalmart about 20 mins away for the necessities.

This area is beautifully non-zoned. So, while you have the two century old plantations, you also have the two decade old trailers. Lots of rolling hills, with lots of unzoned land.

After lunch, we 'decided' to head to the Shenandoah National Park --- you know, about "20 minutes" away --- for a hike. It took us more like 60 minutes to get there, and then the hike was nice and challenging for the non-athletes in the group... and possibly for some of the athletes, as well.

Yesterday gave us these pics!

Hiking in. Only 5 of the 9 of us made it all the way to destination Chimney Rock. The 4 that didn't go all the way in turned around about 1/2 way in, and decided to backtrack to the car, where a nice relaxing movie awaited them.

The first butterfly of the season for us Ohioans. He looked like a 'fresh' butterfly.

Bowers powers.

The two youngins that  made it to Chimney Rock. They are so stinkin' cute!

Two exhausted, swollen fingered moms. 

God's rays. 

When we got to the National Park entrance, the ranger suggested that we put both families in one car. Nine of us smashed into the van. This is what it looked like post-hike. Lots of tired and hot folks. 

This is Ian at lunch yesterday. He got a splinter while at the picnic table. Here he is being very dramatic. Picture worthy.

Today we may be putt-putting and horseback riding. My "outdoor living" shoes may need a break.

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