About a month ago, Dave turned to me and said, "What would you like to do for your birthday? We should go somewhere!". And for the first time in my life, I knew exactly where I wanted to go right away with no hesitation: Natural Bridge, VA. I have seen pictures of the Natural Bridge since our first week in Virginia and have always wanted to go. So, Dave started looking into a trip out to Natural Bridge and the B&Bs around the area where we could stay. And then he was struck with genius -- why not camp?!!!!! I jumped at the idea! I have since been told that I am an unusual woman for 1) wanting to tent camp at all and 2) for thinking this to be the perfect way to celebrate my birthday!!! :-)
So, on the Thursday before my birthday, we left the pets in the capable hands of a fantastic student of Dave's at University of Richmond (thank you Natalie!!!) and headed out to Cave Mountain Lake Campground....20 miles south of Lexington, VA and about 50 miles east of the West Virginia border. It was raining cats and dogs as we left Richmond and rained on us the entire 140 miles to our destination....and then we arrived and the heavens smiled upon us and the sun came out!!
Dave and I haven't been camping since we lived in Idaho and met my family a couple times in Colorado. And we haven't been camping just by ourselves since we lived in Arizona. It has been a LONG time. And....neither of us have ever been camping in the fall! So, while it was in honor of my birthday, the trip was a present to both of us! :-) Here is Dave next to our cozy little tent!
The tent and shelter over the picnic table went up and it was then time for some lunch. And a beer! :) This picture is in honor of Aunt Mary and Uncle Dave who introduced us to the Pabst Mansion in WI when we visited them this last June and because of our amazing time there....inspired us to try Pabst Blue Ribbon beer.....which is a great beer to have while camping....or unemployed! :)
Our lovely campsite -- #32!!
A couple weeks ago, Dave had reserved campsite #2 online. Campsite #2 was a lovely site. The trees were all turned and it sat right next to a babbling creek which would have been delightful to have in the background as we fell asleep. BUT...then we found campsite #32 which was a non-reserved site (first come, first serve) and knew this was the spot where we had to set up camp! Look at this picture looking from the tent to the road! Stunning!
This is also looking from the tent but towards the "kitchen" and "dining room". :) The trees in this site were tall and reminded both of us of the Mogollon Rim in Arizona. There wasn't a babbling creek behind us but it was a much more private and less populated area of the campground and the site was so spacious!
If we weren't already aware of the issue, every other sign throughout the campground warned campers about the dangers of bears. So...Dave made me a bear necklace which was a loud safety whistle and insisted that I wear it all the time. :-) I asked him what he was going to do if he came upon a bear (since he didn't make himself a bear necklace) and his response was "I don't have to outrun the bear....I just have to outrun you.". Hahahaha!!!!!!
The whole point of this trip was to visit the Natural Bridge. And seeing the Natural Bridge was totally worth the trip!!! It is 215 feet high and really quite impressive!
George Washington loved to come to the Natural Bridge and he did several surveying jobs in the vicinity as a young adult before joining the military. He scaled the inside of the bridge up about 23 feet and carved his initials in the limestone which you can still see today. It is also told that he was able to take a rock and throw it up and over the bridge. Thomas Jefferson bought the Natural Bridge and the surrounding area in 1774 for the modern day equivalent of $2.40 and he too did several surveying trips in the area and it became the area where he would go for a retreat. About this time, the Natural Bridge became what many consider to be the first American Tourist Attraction. People from all over Europe and the colonies would actually travel to see this natural masterpiece. During the Civil War, both Union and Confederate armies threatened mutiny as they were marching within 3 miles of the area if they were not given leave to visit the Natural Bridge. And Herman Melville describes Moby Dick resembling the Natural Bridge.
October in Virginia....October in the Blue Ridge Mountains is probably the most beautiful month of the entire year!!!!!
Dave is sitting next to Cedar Creek....this small creek is responsible for carving out the Natural Bridge. It is amazing what a determined little creek can do. :-)
These waterfalls were about 1500 yards up the canyon from the Natural Bridge. They are called the Lace Waterfalls because they resemble lace when there is a lot of water running through the creek. What a great birthday weekend!!!!!!
After the Natural Bridge, we decided to go to the Natural Bridge Caverns. They are supposedly the deepest caverns on the East Coast and the tour was really neat. We went 375 feet below ground and viewed several formations and large rooms. We even saw a couple bats....though out of respect to my mom, I will not post any of those pictures. :)
This is the lake in Cave Mountain Lake. I can only imagine how popular this place and campground would be in the summer. There are bath houses, picnic areas, a sandy beach, nature trails, docks and a beautiful lake. Stunning! This was only probably 1/4 mile from our campsite.
Camping in October makes the Pedersens very happy!!!!!
We decided to take a the nature trail by the lake and the fall beauty was breath taking. Our breath was also taken away by the the HUGE owl that watched us just long enough for us to see him in the binoculars and then flew past us! Upon coming home, Dave has determined that it was a Barred Owl.
As is the case with any amazing vacation, our trip to Cave Mountain Lake and the Blue Ridge Mountains was over before we knew it. It was absolutely wonderful to wake up on my birthday, in a sleeping bag in a tent, in the Blue Ridge Mountains and hear a morning fire (built by my wonderful husband) already waiting for me. That was enough of a birthday present for me!!
After leaving our wonderful campground, we drove along the Blue Ridge Parkway for several miles. At one spot, we crossed the upper James River and were amazed that even this far west, it is still a pretty large river.
The afternoon was spent in Lexington, VA. This small town is home to Washington & Lee University and the Virginia Military Institute (VMI).....this is where Stonewall Jackson lived and where he is buried.....and this is where Robert E. Lee was president of Washington & Lee University and where he is buried along with the rest of his family and Traveller (his beloved horse).
So....for the second year in a row, we have spent my birthday in the woods and there is some discussion about making this a tradition! Thank you so much, Dave, for once again making my birthday beyond memorable and special!!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment