Found Nestling
We knew it was close, but couldn’t quite tell where. On looking around in our neighbor’s backyard, we eventually found this little guy.
Blog
A Visit to Gethsemane
Liz, on the hunt for roses.
Yard Work, Interior Work
House day today – Liz was working in the yard, and I was inside helping Bob (who was working on our AC/HVAC).
I started the day with a run to Lowe’s to pick up several bags of mulch. But after that, I mostly shot between inside/outside, trying to help out where I could. In both places, Liz and Bob were the primary folks doing the work… and I just tried to assist as best I could.
Friday Afternoon, Outside
Today, I spent some of the late afternoon sitting out on the back porch, with my laptop. And was going through a tutorial on AI prompt engineering. Because this is the sort of thing I like to do on a Friday, to unwind.
Wisteria
Liz and I were on a walk to pick up some dinner, tonight. Along the way, we spotted some Wisteria that had stretched out from a nearby yard over the sidewalk.
First Day in the Backyard
After work today, Liz and I spent a bit of time out in the backyard. The temps aren’t great (it’s still a bit chilly), but we wanted to get a start on some overdue work in back.
Lori McKenna: People Get Old
“Houses need paint, winters bring snow
Nothin’ says “love” like a band of gold
Babies grow up and houses get sold
And that’s how it goes”
Where is Everybody? Probably Hill Valley
Over lunch this week, I pulled up the first episode, “Where is Everybody?” It’s a classic, and though it’s some 64 years old now… I’m still going to try to avoid any spoilers.
All you really need to know is that the main character, Mike Ferris, finds himself in a town that is uninhabited. Despite his explorations, as well as numerous signs of life (a lit cigar, a pot of coffee boiling on a stove)… he’s unable to come across another human being.
The Old Rag Quandary
When I was researching various trails in Shenandoah, the one that came up most frequently was Old Rag.
It’s definitely got a reputation as being an incredible trail (Outside magazine lists it as one of the best 25 hikes in the world.) Not just in the US, in the world.
Courage and Conviction
Interesting note: Virginia is a control state, which means that the state handles the sale of liquor/spirits (while wine and beer are handled by other retailers). There are Virginia ABC stores all over, and the two that we visited were incredibly clean and had an impressive selection.
Liz’s Birthday 2023, Day 7: Driving Through Shenandoah National Park, Travel Day Back to Chicago
We had an afternoon flight to catch, but an hour and a half drive from Luray back to Dulles. My goal was to get to the airport around 11:30 AM, so we still work up a bit early… and decided to take one last drive through Shenandoah, going in at Thornton Gap and exiting up north, at Front Royal.
Liz’s Birthday 2023, Day 6: Hiking Mary’s Rock Summit and Byrd’s Nest #3 in Shenandoah, Shopping in Downtown Luray, Walking the Grounds at Glen Gordon Manor, Dinner at Houndstooth
I’m not great with heights, but I was mostly ok the whole time were on the summit. As I was looking out, I saw all this green… and it registered like a wide swath of rolling meadows and fields.
After staring a bit, it would slowly dawn on me that the green I was seeing was not grass… but in fact the actual tops of trees. And on suddenly realizing how high up we were, my knees then immediately turned to jelly.
Liz’s Birthday 2023, Day 5: Copper Fox Distillery, Dinner and Ice Cream in Front Royal, Driving Through Shenandoah National Park at Night
Despite the late night illness last night, Liz was up fairly early. We had looked into a nearby distillery, and discussed going on one of their tours (11AM)… but I figured this was out, given how Liz was sick overnight.
But come 9:30 AM, she was up and ready. And we started to scramble, to try to get breakfast and make our way to the distillery (which was around 30 minutes away).
Liz’s Birthday 2023, Day 4: Hiking Rose River Falls and Dark Hollow Falls in Shenandoah, Dinner at Watch and Warrant, and an Unexpected Illness
The Dark Hollow Falls. Though there were a few other folks here also enjoying the view… Liz nad I were able to scramble up some rocks, and found ourselves a nice little nook alongside the waterfall.
We were close enough to enjoy things directly, but also enough out of the way that we didn’t feel like we were blocking others from photos, or from enjoying the view of the falls. It was as ideal spot.
Liz’s Birthday 2023, Day 3: Travel to Luray
On arriving, we checked out the main building/area. It slowly dawned on us that we were the only people at the hotel.