Memorial Day at The Marine Corp Museum

We spent part of our Memorial Day weekend at the National Marine Corp Museum in Quantico VA.Quantico is almost like home to us in so many ways. I am a Marine Corp brat.  My dad was assigned to Quantico in the late 60's so  I actually lived on base (Thomason Park baby) for a few years, attended first and second grade at Quantico Elementary school and then as a teenager spent lots of time at the Officers pool and then the Officers club in my 20's.Guy knows the base inside and out having worked on many projects there when he was in Sheet Metal including at one time a project manager at the National Marine Corp museum.We were there because Guy's daughter Shelby was invited to perform at the Memorial Day concerts.  She was one of only 5 HS Seniors invited to perform so it was a huge honor for her.  Before it started we spend about an hour walking around and didn't even start to see everything that is on display.  We will definitely be returning this spring to visit and learn more. Entrance to the Museum Shelby performing One of the gardens  Bugler plays taps https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PPvyj3p8iQ

Skyline Drive

While up at Massanutten we decided to spend one afternoon exploring Skyline Drive (for those not from VA who may be reading this Skyline Drive is a 105-mile road that runs the entire length of the Shenandoah National Park in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia.).While I had driven this road many times in the past, it had been years since I had been on the top of Skyline and neither Guy or I had ever seen it covered in snow and ice.  As we entered we were told the south rim was closed due to the snow but we were welcome to drive the north rim. So while the south is higher and more scenic we had no choice and headed north :)Starting out the roads scenery was like this:

That though soon changed to this as we got higher into the mountains:.  Here is also where we started to see the Ice cycles forming along the mountainside:

They looked so mystical and huge, some were 4-5 feet long and thick.  I imagine it will take a few weeks before they would melt away.

I hope that one day we are able to explore the south rim (covered in snow) to see the differences in the views but if not I would happily drive the north again. Just another reason I love living in Virginia.. the beautiful mountains!.

Until next time hope you have yourself a wonderful day.  Enjoy!

Wild Deer

One of the things I love is seeing a deer in its natural habitat.  They are such beautiful, gentle creatures but being so skittish  you don't often get to really observe them before they run off.  I was beyond excited when Guy started pointing out all the deer along the roads and along the mountains side during our trip to Massanutten last week.  I had no idea we would see so many and was in deer heaven.

The deer in Massanutten while wild, are use to sharing the mountain with humans because they know they are safe here.  It is a no hunting mountain and so we humans basically just leave them to their lives, occasionally dropping a snack on the ground for them. Because of this they will come very close to roads, cars and buildings while just going along with their lives often not even noticing we are watching them.It was one of my favorite parts of the weekend and I can't wait to be back to watch them again.

        These guys were outside our window each evening for dinner:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9furSBtzUDUhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RklO8eTTXNI

I hope you have a wonderful day.  Enjoy!

Our Early Spring Getaway

Guy and I decided to get out of town for a few days, things have been crazy busy so we made arrangements for Riley to stay with friends, we packed up the truck and headed to Massanutten resort near Skyline Drive, VA.  It  was a beautiful day for a drive so we took our time and just enjoyed ourselves and arrived about two hours later.We unpacked, ran to the grocery store, explored the area a bit as neither of us had been here in years.  We had a simple dinner of steak and potatoes on the grill and watched a movie (although I forget which one) and crashed early.This is what greeted us in the morning.  Where did this come from?

Snow on the pond video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0k8ET3If4vsIt's late spring Mom Nature and I am ready for warm weather, not this.  Guy on the other hand was ecstatic.  He likes this stuff for some reason.I must admit, it being in the mountains made the landscape so much more beautiful than if it had just been snow on the side of a highway and since I had a hat, gloves, and boots with me (I lucked out on that last minute packing) I actually really enjoyed it.A few more views:Us at the Massanutten Lookout

It was an all to short weekend, I loved the scenery, watching the deer, exploring the mountains and eating great food as well as just relaxing.  We hope to get back to the mountain soon!