Day 3 - Shenandoah National Park Vacation

Shenandoah National Park Vacation

Day 3

Luray Caverns

Luray, VA

Monday, September 3rd, 2012

Amy and Marielle at Luray Caverns

There are many Caverns in this part of Virginia and Luray Caverns is by far the busiest and most commercialized.  We decided to try and beat the Labor Day crowds by getting there just before they opened the doors.  This worked out rather well as we got into the first tour group of the day.

My brother and his family inside Luray Caverns

Me inside Luray Caverns

I have to say that Caverns are not really my thing, but it was still an enjoyable tour.  These are probably the most impressive Caverns I have been through, but I would probably have preferred one of the less commercialized Caverns.

After our cavern tour, my brother and his family decided to partake in Luray Caverns newest attraction; the ropes course!

My brother Bill and his family geared up for the Ropes Course!

Amy wanted no part of this, and I decided to hang back as well so I could get some photos of Bill, Michelle, and the kids.

Next up was the Garden Maze which turned out to be a lot of fun.

 

Overlooking the Garden Maze 

 

 Liam and Marielle at the entrance to the Garden Maze

Amy inside the Garden Maze

We also checked out a couple of the Museums at the Caverns including the antique carriage and car museum.

Marielle at the Antique Car and Carriage Museum

Panning for Gems outside one of the other Museums

After our visit to Luray Caverns, My brother Bill and his family packed up leaving Amy and I alone together for the rest of our Vacation.

It was still early enough in the day to get a good hike in.  I decided on the hike to Overall Run Falls which is listed as the tallest waterfall in Shenandoah National Park.

It was a nice hike, but unfortunately I learned that late summer is the worst time to visit the waterfalls of Shenandoah National Park.  Especially since the area is in a mild drought.

Overall Run Falls wasn't just a low flow waterfall.  During my visit it was a  no flow waterfall!  I didn't even bother to continue the climb down to the base.  At least there was a nice view from the top so it wasn't a total waste.  And the steep climb out gave me some nice exercise before the awesome dinner we had after my hike!

View from the top of Overall Run Falls

The day ended with me sitting in front of the TV at the cabin watching my Virginia Tech Hokies beat Georgia Tech.  I was happy the cabin had ESPN, but I sure did miss my big screen HDTV!

The complete set of photos from Day 3 of our vacation is posted here:
http://family.webshots.com/album/583374745tjlbwC

Day 2 - Shenandoah National Park Vacation

Shenandoah National Park Vacation

Day 2

Group hike to Hazel Falls (aka Cave Falls)

Sunday, September 2nd, 2012

As usual, I was the first one to get up, so I grabbed the camera and tripod to see if I could catch a sunrise.  It was a bit foggy, but there still ended up being some really great color in the sky!

After a quick breakfast, we decided to take Marielle and Liam on their first ever hike!  So we all piled into my brother's SUV for the drive into Shenandoah National Park.

We decided on the hike to Hazel Falls (aka Cave Falls).  Bill and Michelle thought it sounded like something the kids could handle and it was fairly close to our cabin.  While the hike is rated relatively easy, it is 5.4 miles round trip and I wasn't quite certain the kids could handle that distance.  Plus the weather forecast was for almost certain rain.

Despite that, we still hit the trail!

Liam and Marielle

Bill and Michelle

The first two miles is a gradual descent of about 600-feet in elevation, meaning we would have to regain that elevation on the way out.  Liam had a bit of trouble starting out, falling about 5-6 times on the rocky trail.  My brother Bill was tempted to turn back, but Liam eventually got the hang of things.

 Hiking down the trail

The last quarter mile down to the river was a much steeper descent than anything I was expecting!  Fortunately, it was a well designed trail and we were all able to make it down without any issues.

The final descent

Hazel Falls was a nice little waterfall, but nothing spectacular.  And It could definitely have used a good bit more waterflow (this would turn out to be a reoccurring theme throughout the week!).

Me at Hazel Falls (aka Cave Falls)

Despite the less than impressive waterfall, this was still a really cool spot with several caves around the waterfall to explore!

 The whole gang inside one of the caves

 Marielle and Michelle exploring a cave

We spent a good bit of time hanging out, taking photos, and exploring around the caves before starting the hike back out.

 Jack and Amy

 Brothers!

 Liam and Marielle

 My brother Bill and his family

The hike was all uphill, but the kids did much better as it is easier to maintain balance going up!  As for the rain we were expecting, it only sprinkled a few times, but no heavy downpours like I was expecting!

The 5.4 miles turned out to be a good distance for their first hike.  Liam and Marielle were definitely wearing down by the end, but were able to complete the hike with just a few minor bumps and scrapes on the knees!


Our cabin was located about a mile away from Luray Caverns and we thought about making an afternoon visit there, but after driving by the overflowing parking lot and lines of people waiting to get in, we decided to save that for the next day!

Instead we had another nice afternoon and evening hanging out around the cabin.

The complete set of photos from Day 2 is posted here:
http://family.webshots.com/album/583369755LALOSB

Day 1 - Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah National Park Vacation 

Day 1

Luray, VA

Saturday, September 1st, 2012

I have driven by the signs for Shenandoah National Park hundreds of times over the years, but have never made my way off the interstate and into the park.  So this year Amy and I decided to take a week and see what Shenandoah National Park had to offer.

My brother Bill and his family decided to join us for the first few days of our trip.  So we rented a cabin together in Luray, VA which would serve as base camp for the first part of our trip.

The gang at our Cabin in Luray, VA

Our Cabin in Luray, VA

 View from the Cabin

Inside the Cabin

Most of day 1 was spent driving the 400 miles.  By the time we met up with my brother and his family and checked into the cabin, there wasn't really time to head into the park.  However, we did have a very enjoyable evening hanging out at the cabin!

Even though it was still unseasonably warm, it didn't stop us from taking advantage of the fire pit, lighting a campfire, and enjoying some toasted marshmallows and Smores!

Here are a few shots from the first day of our vacation:

Me and my niece Marielle

Liam and Marielle

Marielle and Liam enjoying some Smores

My nephew Liam

The gang hanging out around the fire

Our Cabin at Night

The complete set of photos from Day 1 is posted here:
http://community.webshots.com/album/583368828pdzAib

Marielle and Liam

The first installment of trip reports from our week long Vacation to the Shenandoah National Park area of Virginia will be posted tomorrow.  Until then, here is quick shot of my niece and nephew from the early part of the week.

Marielle and Liam enjoying some marshmallows!

Black Bear

Yesterday morning I had my closest encounter ever with a Black Bear.  I only managed to get one shot before it darted off into the woods, but it turned out to be my best shot ever of a Black Bear in the wild.

2012-08-24 Piglet Enemy

Piglet Enemy at the

Sooie't Relief BBQ Benefit Festival

Greer, SC

Friday, August 24th, 2012

This weekend my buddies Jeff, Steve, and Ron were taking their Piglet Enemy BBQ team into Greer, SC to compete in this years Sooie't Relief BBQ Benefit Festival.

The Piglet Enemy BBQ Team   L to R:  Ron, Jeff, and Steve-O

Last year they finished in 7th place overall and hoped to top that this year.

My buddies take these competitions seriously, but for me it is an opportunity to get together with friends, drink a few FABs, eat some awesome BBQ, and have a great time!

So Amy and I made the short 15 minute drive into Greer, SC on Friday after work to do just that! 

Here are a few photos:

 My wife Amy

 Checking on the Food

Piglet Enemy team Mascot

 Austin

 Steve-O

Lorie, Jeff, and Austin

The complete set of photos is posted here:
http://community.webshots.com/album/583304795sHctaa