Summer Time- Part 1

We started the summer out like rock stars. I was full of energy and full of ideas and plans. Of course this didn't last very long (summer is 10 weeks for crying out loud!), but we sure started out with a bang.

 We joined our neighborhood pool this year and we spent many a mornings there. 

The secret to my summer success were books on tape. After lunch I would put one on and the kids would start like this...

...and inevitably end like this. It is my most brilliant move to date.

We did some berry picking at Butler's.

We explored the butterflies and gardens at Brookeside.

We hit up lots of playgrounds.

 And my efforts were rewarded with things like this:

Not a bad gig I have. Not bad at all. 

Harpers Ferry

The Saturday before Memorial Day was spent in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. This is where Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia meet, as well as where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers converge. There is a lot of Civil War history here, and today it is a national park which the Appalachian Trail goes through.

The plan was to go camping along the river the night before, but it dropped down to near freezing temps, with strong winds and a flash flood warning. We wisely skipped the camping and came to hike the next day.
We arrived early, found the town empty of tourist, but filled with staged old timers who told us the history of the town. Awesome.

We took a 5 mile hike (not on the trail) up the "mountain" shown in the background. The kids all rocked it. 

The view from the top

Below is Jefferson Rock. In 1973 Thomas Jefferson stood on this rock and later wrote that "this scene is worth a voyage across the Atlantic".  Agreed Mr. President. 

This cemetery is above the town and as you can see, has beautiful views. I would think it a little strange to stop and hang out in a graveyard, but we were not the only ones to do it! 

Luke was so inspired by the beauty that he started to decorate Afton's hair with wildflowers.