Shenandoah

Wilderness...is a spiritual necessity, an antidote to the high pressure of modern life, a means of regaining serenity and equilibrium. -Sigurd Olson, 1946

We caught a love for the national parks last year with our trip to Yosemite and attempt to hike Half Dome. The CA climb was not as well-orchestrated, and included charging phones outside a Vons at midnight and sleeping in the car in the parking lot of one of the town's finest motels, but this time we were better prepared. BIG UPS to the lovely wedding well-wishers who gifted us with a tent and Target gift cards, as we are now the proud owners of some sweet camping gear. Moreover, my lifelong dream of having my very own sleeping bag, that only I use, has been fulfilled.

"Oh, Shenandoah" This song was in one of the films at the park. So. Much. Beauty. For the complete blog-reading experience, click on the "Oh, Shenandoah" link and have it playing quietly in the background as you read this post. Enjoy a cup of tea. Ignore your crying children. Study later. DO YOU.

Shenandoah National Park is just a 75-minute drive away, making it the perfect overnight trip. We were met at the entrance by the grumpiest ranger I've ever encountered, although she did inform us that there was no entrance fee that day, so hurrah for saving some bills. C.R.E.A.M. Unfortunately, this was AJ's second exchange that day with a very rude person (thanks, Comcast!), but it couldn't put a damper on his friendly and optimistic soul. Luckily, my time in restaurants and the classroom has prepared me for top-shelf jerks, so I just told him to say "thanks" and exit the situation quickly. (It reminded me of when I used to live with Kim Davis and she, the kindest person ever, would be so nice and talk to telemarketers for extended amounts of time; meanwhile, I'd be hollering at her across the apartment to "JUST HANG UP!" Different folks, different strokes-bless those in my life who are simply better humans than I.)

We camped at Lewis Mountain which, until integration of the park occurred in the 1950s (ahead of many other national institutions), was THE spot for African-American campers. Naturally, AJ and I were happy with our choice. Malcolm X forever. Our four-man tent was set up (room for a couple more, who's gonna visit?!), firewood secured, and we were off to climb Old Rag Mountain. Full disclosure, talk of this trip first began because of a chapter in Tina Fey's Bossypants (EVERYONE should read this and I have personally loaned my copy to four different people. I count this as one of my life's greatest acts of service.), in which she describes climbing Old Rag, a UVA tradition, in the wee hours of the morning with the hope of gettin' it on with a dude who was actually...never mind, I don't wanna ruin it for you. READ IT. (And watch and become addicted to 30 Rock.) So we cracked open our book on national parks and mapped out the route to Old Rag...unsuccessfully. However, the Skyline Drive is a ribbon of road that weaves through the park and offers incredible views along the entire way, so all was not lost. Stops were made, views were scoped, lounging like cats on warm rocks occurred, awkward photos were taken, and

we made our way to the Dark Hollow Falls Trail. Beautiful hike, lovely falls and foliage, I pretended as though I had sticks for hands at one point
(I don't know, that Crystal Light Wild Strawberry takes me to a different place), and Peanut Butter and Blueberry Crisp Clif Bars were enjoyed by the team. We ended the adventure with a stop at the Byrd Visitors Center, which is a legit place. There was an interactive timeline telling the story of how Shenandoah came to be (the Western US was full of national parks, the East Coast wanted some love, Shenandoah was the answer-yeah, I DO have a history degree), beautiful and educational films, HELPFUL and KIND rangers, and a gift shop full of an adorable Girl Scout troop called the Bumblebees. One takeaway from the educational part of the Center was that, while obviously the Great Depression was a time of hardship for individuals and the nation, it was used as an opportunity to create public works programs that helped build parks such as this; so thanks to the boys of the CCC for planting the gorgeous trees and building the rock walls throughout the park.

John Muir spits mad truth

Dark Hollow Falls

"Iron Mike", in memory and appreciation of all the boys who helped build Shenandoah National Park

Back at site #12 on Lewis Mountain, AJ started a crackling fire while I prepped the sweet potatoes (coconut oil, onion powder, garlic, Tapatio, brown sugar, steak seasoning, S&P) and chicken (S&P and Sweet Baby Ray's Honey Chipotle). I am telling you, our new cast-iron skillet is TOPS. I watched my mom and dad do the Dutch oven-cooking for camp dinners for years, and having some cast-iron cookware of my own is my new favorite thing, indoors and outdoors. Appetizers: multigrain chips and Newman's Own Black Bean & Corn Salsa (our new favorite and all profits to charity); and dessert: a chilled Snickers bar from the camp store. The night's activities: few things compare to the solitude and peace that come from sitting around a campfire, just staring into the flames; it's one of my favorite things to do, especially with my boo. I do not, however enjoy losing to him at a campside round of Scrabble, but growing up playing board games against my dad, I've gotten used to second place.

Word of advice: if the campsite next to you has a couple tyke-sized bikes, consider relocating, as you WILL be awakened early to the sounds of small towheads playing "school" and "house" by your tent. You're cute, kids, but not that cute. Scrambled eggs and turkey sausage for breakfast (remember when I used to not eat meat? LOLz!), a game of catch to break in AJ's new glove and get me ready for the week's softball game (batting a thousand, ya'll!), and we packed up and headed out.

A walk in the woods

Alexander John Muir

No lie, I needed the trip like Britney needs her Cheetos and grits. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in his dedication of the park on July 3rd, 1936, spoke of it being for generations of Americans for the "recreation and re-creation which they shall find here." Then, now, forever.