Hiking and Wining in Charlottesville, VA

     I guess it's somewhat expected to change your interests as you age.  For example, I used to hate walking.  My feet would hurt, and I would prefer to just lay by a pool or sit at a restaurant.  When in Banff, Canada, PDub experienced this side of me when we decided to take a trail to a waterfall.  I didn't make it.....and yes, older folk with walkers were passing us.  Another time in Phoenix, AZ, PDub wanted to hike to the top of Squaw Peak.  With the end in sight, I plopped myself down on a rock and told him I'd see him on his way back down.  As I've gotten older, I have changed a bit.  I now find joy in hiking and seeing views only accessible to walkers.  As a matter of fact, it has become one of my favorite things to do.

     Recently, we headed for Charlottesville, VA to check off yet another east coast activity.  On Saturday, we laced up our hiking shoes and drove to the south side of Shenandoah National Park to hike the Moormans River trail.  Of course, Maya couldn't be left behind, so she joined in on this festivity.

Baby steps, Maya.

Into the Woods

He thought he was camouflage, but my man, PDub, spotted him easily.

PDub's shadow for the day.

Serenity.

Now I have a shadow.....but she stopped right there seeing my troubled crossing.

It's called rock surfing.

I made it!  And only one boot fully submerged.  Thank goodness for wool socks!

A watering hole.

JUMP!  (It was like 58 degree water).

Can you spot our Maya?

More serenity.

The best hiking food happens to be kettle corn.  Light and fluffy.  (PDub's getting really good at photographing.)

Heading back to the car.

Stacked rocks created by aliens.  It's science.

Was it necessary to clean me off in the river?

PDub!  Don't smile and drive!  That's dangerous!

Do you think they're called Blue Ridge Mountains for a reason?

I'm in the car too!

So is Maya!  Rough day.

Cruising reflections.

     Another example of change in my life is likenesses of beverages.  I used to be a Shirley Temple girl.....and make it a double!  But over time, I have developed a taste for wine.  Yes, I look, swirl, listen, sniff, and slosh (you gotta hit all five of those senses).  I may not be able to tell the subtle difference between a blackberry or smokey finish, but I can taste the difference between a pinot noir and a pinot grigio (it's a color thing).  Looking back, I probably wasn't able to distinguish sprite versus another lemon lime soda in that Shirley Temple either.  

     After our hike on Saturday, we visited two Virginia wineries, Afton Mountain Winery and Veritas Winery.  There's nothing like sitting outside on a cool day with the mountains surrounding you and a dog who won't stop barking at another (could care less) dog nearby.  Oh Maya, you sure do know how to stress your parents out.  Maybe that's why we turn to good wine!

I think I might disagree with this claim.

No longer a vineyard but a vinemountain.  See what I did there?

Maya is getting so good at taking our picture.

Next stop.....Veritas.

More vinemountains.

And a selfie ending.

Cheers to hiking and wining!