Skyline Drive

Scenes from another great family hiking trip.  We headed out to Skyline Drive (a scenic drive through the Blue Ridge / Shenandoah Mountains which happens to be less than 30 miles from us) in search of a picnic and a walk thru the woods.  The picnic was a bit of a bust due to my thin San Diego blood...the temperatures dropped into the high 50's and there was just no way I was going to sit outside and eat in that weather.  Instead we all crammed into the back of our SUV and made the best of it.

The 'little walk', on the other hand, was a roaring success.  It was MUCH more strenuous than was advertised on the maps, but with a whole lot of cheering and encouraging, we all made it through the two mile loop.  Two keys to Millie's perseverance:  1) She got to read the "map" (trail guide) and tell us where to go; and 2) Her walking stick...made her very official and outdoorsy.  The view from the top of the climb was breathtaking, and this was even before the leaves started changing colors.   We saw lots of deer and even came right up on a bear crossing the road in front of us (we were in the car).  All in all, a really great family adventure.

A post-picnic run-around.

We saw a deer right away on the trail.  Sadly, they were very tame...see how close we are?

Walking sticks in hand, ready for the hike. 

This is how Si spent 90% of the day: on Christopher's shoulders.

View from the top...awesome.