We left our home at 7PM and headed to Baltimore, MD. Half asleep and tired we walked into Waffle House at 12 midnight for a really late dinner. I have to say that the meal was really sumptuous. We got to our hotel room around 1AM at Homewood Suites near the Baltimore area tired but yet excited for the days ahead.
May 28, Saturday
I have to say that it was pretty difficult to wake up Saturday morning and to start moving. To add to it, I had terrible allergies and could not breathe easy. I remember feeling so lousy and really sick. I remember asking God for healing so I would have some relief from the allergies. I immediately felt it. God's touch was amazing and His healing was instantaneous. I felt better that morning and started breathing so much more easier after about a week of nasal congestion. God is so great that when you really cry out to Him, He comes through like a gentle breeze and gives strength and relief. Going through that moment was so awesome that truly I cannot put them in words.
After breakfast, we headed to Richmond, Virginia to visit the State Capitol building. The architecture was beautiful and the Capitol grounds was well manicured. That evening we headed to Harrisonburg through Charlottesville, VA.
May 29, Sunday
We drove to the Southern entrance of Shenondoah National Park in the morning. Skyline drive, the 105 mile single road that goes from South to North was an amazing scenic drive.
The park was not that crowded due to the time of the year and the weather was gorgeous with blue skies with temperatures in the low 80's. The bugs and flies hovered the park. Justin got attacked by mosquitoes, Ajo ate a bug, and a bug went into my eye and came out dead. Yes.. it was that bad. We definitely had a chuckle from these experiences.
What is a visit to a National Park without a hike? We did go on a 1.5 mile hike to the the Dark Hollow Falls. It was a great experience and Ajo was able to take some shots of the waterfall. The walk back was hilly and tiring and by the time we got up we were totally wiped out. My brother in-law said that he spotted a deer, and a millipede on the hike and almost got a ranger badge.
We drove to the Northern end of the park just in time to watch a sunset.
Sunday night we stayed in Winchester, VA.
May 30, Monday
Monday morning we work up at 4:30AM to catch a 5: 40 AM sunrise. It was truly an adventure. We did leave a little late and since we were not going to get to our destination prior to the sunrise time, Ajo got dropped off on the side of a beautiful meadow on Skyline Drive while I parked the car and joined him. We spent the rest of the morning enjoying the breeze, and the serenity of the park. It almost felt surreal to be in tune with nature and God's creation. We couldn't contain the joy so we sang some songs and prayed in wide-open. Though no camera captured that moment, our minds took mental images that no man can erase. It was truly awesome.
After brunch, we headed back on our drive back home. We took turns driving while we talked, laughed, and listened to soulful songs and messages. Even though, our vacation was short, it felt that it lasted a life time. Moreover, we did not feel tired when we got home, but felt energized, refreshed, and really content with the short break from normalcy of life. Amazing!
Highlights of the trip
- State Capitol
- Shenondoah National Park
