First Campout of the Season with Two Happy Little Boys!

Shenandoah River State Park - View from the Overlook Trail

We took a quick camping trip on Monday with two of our youngest grandchildren who are five and eight. A lovely park close to home, Shenandoah River State Park, outside Front Royal, VA was the destination. One of the great blessing there? -- no cell or internet service!

No noise but the sounds of the raging river, the breeze rustling the leaves, 
the bird calls, and happy conversation.

The boys and I ended up taking a longer than planned hike on Tuesday morning -- about 3.5 miles -- but it was a real adventure, "a quest" as Max, the eight-year-old described it. We were nature detectives, looking for animal prints in the mud (There was plenty of that after several days of steady rain.).

We hoped to see a bear print, but the closest we came was a big dog.

We saw deer prints in several places - no surprise there!

 We also counting the number of different wildflowers (We got up to a dozen.), although we only saw one bluebell, the last holdover.

I have garden phlox in my own yard, but enjoyed seeing them in abundance in the woods.

Now, what are these? I'd like to see them in bloom.

Fairy umbrellas?

Once we reached the trail head at the parking lot, I didn't want to go back on the muddy trail, so we walked on the road to the Visitors' Center which was an uphill treck and about another mile. 

Lovely little resting place at the Visitors' Center

Once there, I asked the shortest way back to the campground. The boys were tired and Grandma was more tired, but we still had a mile+ on the trails ahead of us. I promised the boys an ice cream when we came back later with Paka since I don't take my purse when I hike and had no money. The kind park manager, Veronica, said I could get them treats and pay later. That made the hike back, which was mostly downhill, much more agreeable and there were still plenty of interesting things to look at before we rejoiced to see an RV through the trees. Everybody was eager for lunch.

Since Larry didn't expect us to be gone so long, he was getting ready to come looking for us, but the battery on the car was dead. Really? Seems like every camping trip offers an unexpected vehicle challenge. Last time it was the hitch release on the camper. Fortunately the park ranger came by in his truck and went to get a battery jumper. So while the boys and I played Quirkle at the camper, Larry drove off to Front Royal for a new battery. 

We were only there for a little over a day, but enjoyed two campfires with s'mores and lots of conversation with two interesting little guys. Everybody slept well so there was no nighttime excitement.

We picked up some Lego animals at the visitor center to take home to extend the memory of our quick trip to the woods. Jude selected a river otter, Max picked a fawn, and we brought home a cardinal and butterfly for their sisters back home. 

Next grandchild adventure? A trip to the Green Valley book fair on Friday with our recently confirmed granddaughter -- a one-on-one with Grandma to book shop and have lunch. Can't wait! Need a sanity break? -- spend time with a child. Caveat: no electronic devices unless it's a book on tape. And don't forget to talk about Jesus. The wonders of nature offer plenty of opportunity!

Hurray for camping and for God's beautiful world!