After most of the family left we invited Jeffrey and Hallie to stay with us for a few more days. Mit and Molly took a mini vacation of their own while the kids stayed with us and we had so many fun adventures and just quality time with the big kids! It is such a joy to have the three of them together - especially as teenagers because they are just so fun and funny and able to pitch in and they are just awesome to be around. L and I feel so lucky to have this time with them!
I mentioned in an earlier VA post about one of our neighbors, Mr. Bill. Mr. Bill worked for the National Forest Service for most of his career and and literally blazed hundreds of miles of trails. He had a trail and overlook named after him. L, Jeffrey, Luke, Hallie, and I decided to hike that trail to the overlook. 5.5 miles round trip. It was a lovely trail. It was also a very hot summer day. The 'overlook' was no where to be found and we overshot the destination by a solid 2+ miles! Our 5.5 mile hike turned into an 8 mile hike. The kids were not pleased. But it made for some good stories and laughs once we cooled off and were sufficiently hydrated again.
If you are ever traveling on Interstate 81 in Virginia please make a stop here at Route 11 Chips. You will not be disappointed. (Sidenote, try to make it a Tuesday - Saturday stop as they are not often "cookin'" on Sundays and Mondays.) It is a small potato chip factory that is just the coolest little place and it is less than 2 miles off the interstate. We saw the potato chip making process - 14 minutes from being peeled to being put in a bag!! Crazy! And the kid's favorite part...free samples!! Salt and Black Pepper was the flavor favorite followed by sour cream and chive.
This place. What an eclectic cavern experience! This family-run operation was unique to say the least! Owned by a family who also was known for and famous for Rose Bowl floats and Presidential inauguration decorations and fancy window displays also opened a cavern experience. You have to go to understand the weirdness and amazement...the perfect place for three teens to experience and comment endlessly on! Ha!
Why an elf???
A giant bear? hamster? in the waiting area. Your guess is as good as ours.
These two
There definitely were some really cool cave features like this 'cave bacon'
We made our way to the top of the Woodstock Tower with the kids! Hallie took this family photo for us!
The view from the tower...you can kind of make out the numerous bends in the river
Saturday night small town entertainment...a tractor pull!
Mini golf
Downtown walks...the conversations of these three are absolutely priceless!
Picnic table turned ping pong table. Love it! Also, the state of the yard is a sign of a summer well lived!
My nightly sous chefs
Small town ice cream shops...one of my favorite things about this place and a reminder of my childhood. Where we live now lacks these little places, in fact I don't even know where I would go to get a soft serve ice cream cone around here but during our time in VA we found allllll the places. "Small twist cone, please"...my order for one of life's sweetest simple pleasures!
Our time with the three kids was fantastic - they are just such amazing, smart, and great young people! And Mit and Molly had a great time on their mini adventures and returned to pick up their kiddos and Luke to take them to PA for some more cousin time. L and I had our own mini vacation full of wandering and time! Love does.
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