With the kids on break from school we took to the mountains of Virginia for a long weekend.  We stopped at Carter’s Mountain Orchard in Charlottesville on the way up to pick apples before arriving at our cabin in Douthat State Park.  We enjoyed a brisk 7am hike the next morning from our cabin and AJ showed the forest who’s boss.  We also explored the lake that was created there.  I had been sick since earlier in the week so that afternoon after putting on two pairs of pants and 4 tops to combat the chill I couldn’t get rid of, I took a nap and AJ and the kiddos explored the stream leading into the lake.  After AJ grilled delicious burgers outside we all had s’mores.  It rained overnight and we went on a short hike in the other direction from our cabin.  After lunch I played go-fish with the kids while AJ read and relaxed.  Then went on an amazing lakeside into mountain top hike and the kids had a lot of fun.  We enjoyed hot cocoa and popcorn when we got back to the cabin. The next morning we all slept in much to our surprise and we left to explore Natural Bridge State Park and the Caverns at Natural Bridge on the way home.  After looking at the natural bridge we enjoyed a very cool cave tour.  It was both kids first time in a cave and their favorite part was seeing the Virginian large brown bats sleeping.  We drove home, quickly voted and got everyone ready for school the next day.  It was a relaxing trip and as always so enjoyable to get away into nature.