Oh Shenandoah

So this week we took at little side trip during our post-Christmas school vacation. Once again, it was not a trip that we could particularly afford but it was one that we felt we should take. We set out for the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. We made a few plans but mostly we just wanted to experience this area of the country together, as a family.

We expected to enjoy the experience of this trip together but none of us expected the beauty that we would behold.  This is our kind of country.  The sprawling farms across the rolling hills went on for miles and we could scarcely take it all in. We gazed in amazement, finally arriving at Massanutten Resort which would be our home for the next two nights.

This girl lost another tooth upon our arrival.

Our first day sent us exploring through more majesty of creation that connected small towns together until we arrived at Luray Caverns.  I remember this place from having visited it as child, but of course everything has changed since then except the caverns themselves.

By the time that we resurfaced everyone was hungry.  We went into the town of Luray and found "Uncle Buck's."  The food and the atmosphere were great but they were overwhelmed and it took a while to get our food.  We managed to make the best of it and had fun along the way.

We went back to the condo for rest time and a little time on the play ground until ultimately we went into Harrisonburg to Vito's Italian Resturant to have dinner with a good friend of our family. This is Larry Rising, the Pastor of Valley Church and a great friend to our family. The encouragement that he has been to us is immeasurable and it was great to have time with him.  God Bless You Larry!

The next morning was one of our main events.  Snow tubing in the Shenandoah Valley.  It was cold, mostly sunny, but still managed to snow for the entire time that we were on the mountain.  Our family loved it. 

Thank goodness for this moving walkway.  It was a lifesaver.

Olivia and Emily Grace got too cold (we had on city shoes) and went back to the car to warm up; Megan accompanied them.  Addison and I stayed at it.

Ultimately Megan and Emily Grace got back at it and Olivia had just gotten warmed up - She was not having it. I stayed with Olivia making Addison the only one to stay at it for the whole 2 hours.

After tubing we made our way back home and the long ride gave us all time for reflection. We all talked about our favorite experiences of these two short days. There are many reasons not to go on trip like this, especially last minute like we did - lack of money, lots of trouble, kids that might not travel well, the long ride, fuel costs, etc - and only one reason to go - shared family time and experiences.  This is priceless and far outweigh every excuse that anyone might dream up.

We love times like these and we are always thankful for Megan who pushes us to take a chance and "go for it" when it comes to the times that all of the Davis family shall never forget.  Thank you Mom, we love you!"

That Didn't Take Long

Less than a week out of vacation - it being summer and all - we got itchy feet. We set out on a day trip to the USS North Carolina which serves as a memorial to to all of the fallen in the second world war who were from North Carolina.

We began in the museum and learned things about the great showboat

Emily Grace is looking at a model of the boat.  She has no idea that she is about to go aboard.

Apparently this is not the only USS North Carolina.  In fact, there have been five.  Olivia looks at a model of one of the earlier ones.  The current USS North Carolina is a submarine.

On the gang plank excited to go aboard

As always in summer, it is hot but Wilmington is beautiful in the background.

The girls get to see just what it must have been like to operate the big guns.  Also this is the first trip time here that Olivia and Addison can get an idea of what this boat was all about and the price that has been paid for our freedoms.  After all, that is why the big boat exists.

We always have to rely on the kindness of people that we do not know to get these pictures but you might as well know - we do these things as a family and we are grateful for pictures like these.

Down in the boat we get an idea what it was like to "live" at sea during war time.

Most of the crew would not have worn sunglasses - but that a minor detail

Emily is sitting at the table in the mess hall - not yet realizing that no waiter is coming.

Addison pretends to drive the boat while Emily Grace barks out orders.

We left the USS North Carolina and went downtown for the following reasons:

Megan: Sightseeing

Olivia: Shopping

Addison:  Pokemon Go

Emily Grace: Pokemon Go

Joe: Sightseeing

While walking something caught the girls eyes and nose.

These people were making their own waffle cones and smelled so good.

So, Ice cream it is!

We ended up at The Gap.  I just might as well face it, shopping is going to part of our family's culture from here out.  What can you say, We have girls and they all love to shop.

Olivia is happy to display a shirt that she has picked out and is trying on.

I love these girls - We have so much fun!