Fall Foliage Tour 2009

Normally, we are pretty good about going to church. However, two times a year, we end up skipping week after week. This occurs in May and then again in October. During these time we head up to the mountains to enjoy the change of weather. Our fall tour started about a month ago.

The first stop was Whitewater Falls. I think I actually had to go to church that day, so this trip was Post-Nap. Not a good idea. We were racing the sun and cranky, hungry kids. Plus, it was really cold and windy once we got there. Mark and I were the Worst Parents Ever because our kids only had jackets and no hats or gloves. We did not stay long.

Here is James running up the side of the trail:


Andy in the backpack. Andy LOVES being in the backpack, except when it is cold and windy and has no hat or gloves.


Here are the falls. You can see it was still a little early for peak color. We pretty much ran up to the falls, saw them, James peed, and then we ran back to the car. Good times!


The next weekend was the next stop. Cesears Head State Park. This is a must stop on our tour, well, ours and everyone elses!

Here is Andy:


The view from the overlook:


James on the hike back. This picture was taken immediately before a huge temper tantrum.


Before heading home, we enjoyed a nice picnic lunch. All the older people walking by commented on how we were the Worst Parents Ever because they were sure we were going to let our kids run off the side of the mountain. I say, there was a nice bush 20 ft down that would have stopped their fall.


The final stop on the tour was Jones Gap State Park. Apparently, there was a car jacking here the day before. I KNOW!


The original plan was to do a 1 mile hike to a waterfall with James walking and Andy in the backpack.


I don't know what we were thinking. James had a great time climbing over rocks


and picking up really big leaves.


And no, it wasn't raining, or even that cold. James just likes to have his hood up. That is how he rolls. We found a part of the river by where we were hiking to claim we made it to the waterfall and turned around.


After the hike, we had our picnic lunch.


Finally, got James to take his hood off, so here are a picture of the boys by the fish pond.


Most of the leaves are down now, and this signals the end of the tour. Just have to wait for May...