As luck would have it, Saturday afternoon brought 39-degree sleeting slushing rain and snow--which as you may remember was all the more reason to go off on an adventure.
Sunday morning dawned without a cloud in the sky.
The campground we stayed in was the Wolf Gap, which is in a gap along Old North Mountain near the West Virginia state line.
On either side are trails up the ridge. We took the Tibet Knob trail, which seemed auspicious.
The afternoon before, I had just been feeling, as I rested my head against Fozzie who rode in my lap as we drove through the sleeting snow, this incredible feeling of oneness with everything.
The dogs, the sleet, Florian, even my old van with the questionable transmission.
That the consciousness we have is one consciousness, and people and animals are vehicles for experiencing one part of it.
Those dogs certainly made the most of their incarnate vehicles.
All three of them were off-leash, tearing about in the snow, loving every delicious smell. Sandy stayed right with us and kept checking in to make sure we were OK and approved of what she was doing.
By early afternoon, the weather had warmed and we came down off the mountain to explore the amazing Shenandoahs. Despite some very unsafe driving practices,
we made it to the Shenandoah river to chase some sticks and enjoy a last blast of summer-like recreation.
Do we really have to wait til after Nutcracker season to do this again?
Looks breathtaking! What a great trip!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful pictures! Looks like everyone had a great time...pups especially.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful trip! That last photo of the dogs is so cute - Sandy can jump really high!
ReplyDeleteAwwww, we MISS Virginia!!! What fun you had!
ReplyDeletePeeS - Mom loves the Nutcracker!
The Road Dogs
Great pics of an excellent adventure. Lots of good memories too we bet.
ReplyDeleteTailwags
Ernie,Sasha,Chica,Lucas
Beautiful countryside photos. It's cold up here, with a "high" temperature of 50 degrees, but no snow...yet
ReplyDeletebeautiful photos! what an amazing scene coupled by fantastic company.
ReplyDeleteoff leash dogs = me, very jealous.
Brrr brrr brrr
ReplyDeleteStop on by for a visit
Kari
dogisgodinreverse.com
I don't comment often, but enjoy your posts very much. The photographic evidence of "unsafe driving practices" is truly wonderful!
ReplyDeletewow there is no way I could sleep in that cold weather in the van, im such a wimp :) wow its so beautiful - im so glad you took the time to do that.
ReplyDeletePeanut soup - I will have to google that ive never heard about that.
If that's your last camping trip of the year, you certainly made the most of it. Thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had a great time! You came back with some beautiful pictures, that's for sure!
ReplyDeleteSandy is such a gorgeous little character! She makes herself at home wherever she is, even on the drivers lap!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful photos of stunning scenery. it's probably worth the coldness to see such beauty?
Peanut soup sounds interesting. MIght have to check it out for next winter!