Monday, April 20, 2009

Shenandoah, I longed to see you

This stunning view was taken on Friday morning from the deck at the cabin we rented on the Blue Ridge Mountains, in Virginia. Our cabin was situated just north of the town of Luray, on the western slope just below Matthew’s Arm Campground area, facing the Massanutten Mountains. Looking closer at the photo below, can you see the fog in places? It was early morning when this was taken, and underneath the fog flows the Shenandoah River.

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The photo below shows what it looked like a little later in the morning, before we left for a hike at nearby Shenandoah National Park. The river snakes all the way down this long valley that lies between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Massanutten Mountains.

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Just to get to the cabin was quite a feat in and of itself, as a road became gravel and dirt, and seemed to straight up in places.

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The Honda Element did a decent job of getting up the mountain, but I wouldn’t want to do it every day. It definitely taxed the little vehicle. (Plus, it made me a little dizzy, with all the straight-up driving).

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We had perfect weather for the 4 days and 3 nights we stayed here. The original cabin had been in this spot for a long time, long enough for it to become abandoned, yet stay within families through several generations. Finally, it was torn down and rebuilt, cutting down some of the trees that had grown in front of it, to open up the beautiful view.

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I walked up the road, behind the cabin to get this shot. It was really difficult walking up that road because the grade was so steep. A few other rentals dot this mountain road, and I counted 3 plus another being built; all owned by the same person. They are all quite private and all have hot tubs which was the selling point for me.

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There is nothing as rewarding as hiking in these beautiful mountains and then coming home to rest your weary body in a tub full of warmth.

There’s something about the beautiful state of Virginia that keeps us coming back year after year. I’ll share some more of our visit tomorrow.

Thanks to all for stopping by, and for wishing us luck on our trip. Hello and welcome to all the new faces I’m seeing here.

And, as an aside, how many of you are planning on entering Pioneer Woman’s photo album contest? The only thing you have to do is to create a digital photo album on Snapfish.com. That’s it! Five winners will be chosen and the prize is 5 photo albums from Snapfish. I think that this is a great incentive to try that digital photo book you’ve always been meaning to create, you know?

Until tomorrow, my friends . . .

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glad you had sucha good time! It looks beautiful there and I am sure you have a lot of photos to share!

Char said...

looks like a fantastic time - my family and I rented a cabin in Gatlinburg one year at Thanksgiving and it was beautiful. the photographs are gorgeous.

Anonymous said...

Welcome back to Virginia! Sorry I missed you..... although we are quite a ways further south on the Blue Ridge.... love the pics!

Di
The Blue Ridge Gal

Jill of All Trades said...

Stunning pictures. Looks like a great trip.

Laura ~Peach~ said...

absolutely beautiful! I am glad you had a wonderful time!

DesertHen said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful time. The photos are beautiful and that hot tub looks divine.=)

Maria said...

what a beautiful view, how wonderful to wake up to that each morning. glad you had a wonderful trip

FireLight said...

Looks like you have had a great spring break! I have been thinking good thoughts for the three of you...in your element judging from the photos.

Shelley said...

This looks like my kind of trip! Beautiful scenery! And staying in a log cabin! I have a log cabin in northern michigan and it just makes the trips up there even better!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful spot. I look forward to seeing more of your pictures. Welcome back and I hope you both are rejuvenated and relaxed. I bet that hot tub soothed a lot of aches!

Pat - Arkansas said...

Gorgeous views! Glad you and husband could get away for a few days.

cottage farm villa said...

Oh wow Kate....how beautiful. I have never been to Virginia...so I had no idea what it looked like!!! The view was amazing.... such pretty pics...can't wait to see more!!!

Pony Girl said...

It looks really pretty there, thanks for sharing it with us! I'm glad you had nice weather and a relaxing time. Can't wait to see more of it. I've never seen Virginia and really have no idea what it is like there.
I saw PW's contest. Not sure I'll get around to creating a photo album....I'm SO picky, I think it would take me forever to pick out photos for a book! ;)

Skogkjerring said...

Wow, you could have been in Norway with some of those shots..lovely...me likey the jacuzzi...mmmmmmm :-)) George must be having a blast on vacation with mom and dad!!!

Little Lady Cakes said...

What a beautiful cabin.

You gave me the nudge to remind my husband, that we need to revisit mother nature.

troutay said...

Beautiful pics. I am glad you had a lovely escape.

Mental P Mama said...

Wow. What a beautiful place! I have a feeling you will be a winnah in PW's contest!

Tess Kincaid said...

Love those glorious redbuds! And now I am going to be humming the song for the rest of this old dark rainy Monday.

Daryl said...

Massanutten Mountains .. Mass A Nuttin' Mountains .. I am SO laughing at this .. it amuses me greatly ... Mass of nothing .. get it? Ahem.

I am glad you'all had such a nice relaxing 4 days, 3 nights ...

Mary said...

Wow, what a beautiful spot. I'm so glad you guys enjoyed your vacation. It looks like heaven there. Can't wait to see more pics! Oh, and I used to love singing that song when I was a girl... :)
xoxo,
Mary

Ellen said...

Looks like the kind of place a bunch of blogger girls should go for a weekend "retreat."

Deb said...

Looks like a wonderful place on earth to just kick back and relax. I love Virginia...she's a beautiful place.

Cindy said...

Sounds like a great time. Beautiful views from the cabin.

Donalyn said...

Lovely, Kate. The fog shot is fantastic!

Hilary said...

What a beautiful setting. Your photos are wonderful. Looking forward to seeing more. :)

Anonymous said...

Oh boy, that is beautiful. You have brought back memories of one of favourite programs as a child - The Waltons.

CJ xx

The Weaver of Grass said...

That cabin looks such a beautiful place - so glad you had a lovely time. The hot tub looks so inviting - did you take the dog with you?

Flea said...

I am SO SO SO glad you didn't tent camp! Looks like you're having a great time. :)

Woman in a Window said...

What an absolutely stunning place to spend some time. Hope you came home well rested, revitalized, and with some sweet memories that give you chills.

imom said...

Absolutely gorgeous! I agree about the hot tub being just what's needed after a hike in the hills!