A Lost Feather: Life is old there, older than the trees

7.26.2011

... younger than the mountains, growin' like the breeze."

Shenandoah National Park / Skyline Drive & Dark Hollow Falls Trail / July 22, 2011

Marissa and I woke up around 4:15am and drove over to Brooklyn to pick up our cousin, Katie. We got the most delicious bagels and hopped on the road. 9 hours and a bunch of coffee later we found ourselves in the mountains of Shenandoah National Park.

In the middle of a serious heat wave (100 degrees +) we went on a 3 hour hike to a couple of small waterfalls. This particular trail (Dark Hollow Falls) was very well covered by the trees so the heat was not completely awful. We didn't care anyway because we were so happy to have started our adventure.

By the time we started the hike it was already late afternoon so the morning crowds were gone and we had the place to ourselves. We enjoyed the peace and quiet, splashed around in the quiet stream, and hunted for pretty stones. We were like little kids and it was great.

I'm so happy I got to share this experience with my sister and my cousin. I can't remember the last time we got together for a long weekend and it was way over due.

24 comments:

GentriJuly 26, 2011 at 3:38 PM
I am so jealous! I want to go there now!!!
Laura NelsonJuly 26, 2011 at 3:54 PM
Wow, that water looks so pretty. I love those days, playing in the water and being outside with no people around :)
Dana FoxJuly 26, 2011 at 4:43 PM
this is gorgeous! Looks like such a fun adventure
xo dana
thewonderforest.com
UnknownJuly 26, 2011 at 6:18 PM
You always go to the most beautiful places! I envy you!

:)
xx
MarilynJuly 26, 2011 at 6:22 PM
Great photos. You will love these even more later in your life!!
CarlaJuly 26, 2011 at 6:42 PM
It looks so lovely! And I love that song :)
Carla xx.
SaffakateJuly 26, 2011 at 6:45 PM
Pretty! I love hikes to waterfalls, so refreshing. You guys were brave to hike in that heat! PHEW!
MelanieJuly 26, 2011 at 7:51 PM
Gorgeous photos.. thankfully we don't have to endure the kind of heat you do.. but we've been getting a lot of rain. Booo.

Mountain hikes are always an upper!
DanielleJuly 26, 2011 at 10:07 PM
your photos are stunning! such a beautiful view.
karen marieJuly 26, 2011 at 10:17 PM
this looks like a wonderful get-away. i am definitely envious :) welcome back!
pilgrimjamieJuly 26, 2011 at 10:23 PM
How gorgeous is that! You find THE best hiking spots! Why can't I have a sis like you!?!? Bonding with my sisters is me changing their babies' diapers....
LyndallJuly 27, 2011 at 4:02 AM
Wow, amazing! That waterfall looks so beautiful. You make me want to go hiking now!
Laura ElizabethJuly 27, 2011 at 8:58 AM
Um so most of the previous commenters stole all the best adjectives to describe your pictures, like 'gorgeous' and 'beautiful'. I shall go with SPLENDIFEROUS!

Thanks heaps for getting back to me about the wolf print. I just put in my order!
Bailey SchneiderJuly 27, 2011 at 10:05 AM
Family time in nature. It doesn't get better than that :-)
Looks absolutely beautiful.

Much love, Bailey from Vanilla Blonde
The Soul AnchorJuly 27, 2011 at 12:13 PM
Oh my goodness, I'm so enthralled with that waterfall! There's nothing I love more than being outsie and enjoying nature.
KatieJuly 27, 2011 at 2:33 PM
looks fantastic, a beautiful set of photos as always!

Katie x
AnonymousJuly 27, 2011 at 10:59 PM
So jealous! I went hiking Sunday and it was humid, bug filled and cob web filled! Yours looks so much more enjoyable!
Ashley {hudson's happenings}July 27, 2011 at 11:41 PM
Dark Hollow Falls sounds a tad bit like a horror film title...but this beautiful adventure is not at all scary. ;) I'm so happy you had a WONDERFUL time with your family!! xx
Miss MelissaJuly 28, 2011 at 12:52 AM
Oh my, what a beautiful hike! I bet the sceneries were a definite breathtaker. :)

faith, hope, love!

-Missa
SarahJuly 28, 2011 at 1:33 PM
It's been so long since I went to a waterfall! Your photos look amazing, and the place is beautiful. :) Sounds really lovely. Waking up early for such fun adventures is always more than worth it! x

p/s: thought i'd tell you that my photo has been accepted for cram!
NodToStyleJuly 28, 2011 at 2:05 PM
brooklyn, bagels, waterfalls...now i miss the east coast! ;)
anneliseJuly 28, 2011 at 9:05 PM
Sounds perfect. The photos are lovely. This post makes me want to get out into the fresh air and have a stomp around in nature right now.
AnonymousAugust 1, 2011 at 11:57 AM
That place looks magical. I love taking road trips!
shannon*bearAugust 2, 2011 at 7:33 PM
Holy! My browser brought me straight to the photos before I could read your post and I was like... those are my mountains! I live in the Blue Ridge in NC so this just tickles me! I'm so glad you got to enjoy the Park with sweet loved ones, it looks like you had a rad time!

xo Shannon