We had quite the day yesterday which also defines part of the day of rest today–yesterday was driving about the mountains, wandering in the cave, starting a hike. Not in that order. We entered Shenandoah National Park on the north end, next to Front Royal. The Skyline Drive was very cool, we tried to imagine what the road would be like in the fall when thousands are driving to enjoy the intense fall colors. Lots of motorcycles, lots of bikes. But actually not mobs or even crowds of people The scenery was spectacular. Diane wanted to hike to a waterfall. She picked one with a trail description of “steep.” I said, “Nay, nay.”  She then found one described as moderate and we could go in the back way so it would only be three miles round trip. I said ok. Mistake.We headed out and down the trail. Keyword there is down. People were trickling up the trail and they had one thing in common…they were struggling. I asked one lady if there was actually a waterfall on the trail, between pants she said, “Yes…..quite..a..distance.” A few more people gasped by and then a young couple who I asked, “Is the waterfall far.” Small gasping pause, “Well….about a mile…and a half….”  And I ask them if the trail is steep. “Like this,” he says, “and this has done us in.” So I look back “up” the trail where we have been coming down for the last ten minutes and I think that perhaps it would be manly to go on or perhaps it would be prudent to turn around now. A disappointed bride, but prudent won. I note that one thing that my age brings is that recovering power is significantly diminished. At least for me. I know that there are many folks out there who are climbing Mt Everests in there late 60s…more power to ’em. The first shot below is at the beginning of the short hike when the path was smooth and not as steep.On the drive back I spied this old store and had to stop. I wished for a different lens but….  Kelsey was looking for a face to peer out from one of the windows. She launched an entire story about the poor souls trapped in the building waiting for us to leave so they could come out on the porch and curse us. Hmmmm. Maybe that explains it.

We had quite the day yesterday which also defines part of the day of rest today–yesterday was driving about the mountains, wandering in the cave, starting a hike. Not in that order. We entered Shenandoah National Park on the north end, next to Front Royal. The Skyline Drive was very cool, we tried to imagine what the road would be like in the fall when thousands are driving to enjoy the intense fall colors. Lots of motorcycles, lots of bikes. But actually not mobs or even crowds of people The scenery was spectacular. Diane wanted to hike to a waterfall. She picked one with a trail description of “steep.” I said, “Nay, nay.”  She then found one described as moderate and we could go in the back way so it would only be three miles round trip. I said ok. Mistake.We headed out and down the trail. Keyword there is down. People were trickling up the trail and they had one thing in common…they were struggling. I asked one lady if there was actually a waterfall on the trail, between pants she said, “Yes…..quite..a..distance.” A few more people gasped by and then a young couple who I asked, “Is the waterfall far.” Small gasping pause, “Well….about a mile…and a half….”  And I ask them if the trail is steep. “Like this,” he says, “and this has done us in.” So I look back “up” the trail where we have been coming down for the last ten minutes and I think that perhaps it would be manly to go on or perhaps it would be prudent to turn around now. A disappointed bride, but prudent won. I note that one thing that my age brings is that recovering power is significantly diminished. At least for me. I know that there are many folks out there who are climbing Mt Everests in there late 60s…more power to ’em. The first shot below is at the beginning of the short hike when the path was smooth and not as steep.On the drive back I spied this old store and had to stop. I wished for a different lens but….  Kelsey was looking for a face to peer out from one of the windows. She launched an entire story about the poor souls trapped in the building waiting for us to leave so they could come out on the porch and curse us. Hmmmm. Maybe that explains it.

We had quite the day yesterday which also defines part of the day of rest today–yesterday was driving about the mountains, wandering in the cave, starting a hike. Not in that order. We entered Shenandoah National Park on the north end, next to Front Royal. The Skyline Drive was very cool, we tried to imagine what the road would be like in the fall when thousands are driving to enjoy the intense fall colors. Lots of motorcycles, lots of bikes. But actually not mobs or even crowds of people The scenery was spectacular. Diane wanted to hike to a waterfall. She picked one with a trail description of “steep.” I said, “Nay, nay.”  She then found one described as moderate and we could go in the back way so it would only be three miles round trip. I said ok. Mistake.We headed out and down the trail. Keyword there is down. People were trickling up the trail and they had one thing in common…they were struggling. I asked one lady if there was actually a waterfall on the trail, between pants she said, “Yes…..quite..a..distance.” A few more people gasped by and then a young couple who I asked, “Is the waterfall far.” Small gasping pause, “Well….about a mile…and a half….”  And I ask them if the trail is steep. “Like this,” he says, “and this has done us in.” So I look back “up” the trail where we have been coming down for the last ten minutes and I think that perhaps it would be manly to go on or perhaps it would be prudent to turn around now. A disappointed bride, but prudent won. I note that one thing that my age brings is that recovering power is significantly diminished. At least for me. I know that there are many folks out there who are climbing Mt Everests in there late 60s…more power to ’em. The first shot below is at the beginning of the short hike when the path was smooth and not as steep.On the drive back I spied this old store and had to stop. I wished for a different lens but….  Kelsey was looking for a face to peer out from one of the windows. She launched an entire story about the poor souls trapped in the building waiting for us to leave so they could come out on the porch and curse us. Hmmmm. Maybe that explains it.