Our Blue Ridge Mountain Getaway
We snuck away into the Blue Ridge Mountains for a couple days, just us three. It was exactly what we needed after an intense summer of Aaron’s CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) program. We rested by doing what we normally do with different scenery — cooler weather, a gorgeous blue horizon, and lots of cows and horses to wave to.
We took the slow, scenic route via the Blue Ridge Parkway. Our initial drive took us south down the first 100 miles or so. I expected to see more folks around, but I guess our mid-week trip gave us the road (mostly) to ourselves. I noticed an older man as we pulled into Raven’s Roost Overlook who parked his yellow motorcycle to take in the view. He was alone. He was standing close to the stone barrier with one boot propped up on it. I watched him quietly and contently scanning what the morning light touched. He could have been meditating. I hope he was.
Our initial drive included multiple overlook stops to take pictures and change diapers. We also took a detour to take a small hike up to Crabtree Falls. With the toddler on Aaron’s back, we were able to access the lower end of the waterfall and some of the mid sections. After finding our way back down the trail we got turned around on the road. Limited cell service pulled us into a country store for a map and beef jerky. Eventually, after driving the same stretch of road a few times, we figured out where we were.
Our Airbnb was nestled in a quiet neighborhood that reminded me of our old one in Massachusetts, minus the tree covered slopes. Horses grazed in large pastures and everyone offered a friendly wave as we walked or drove down the road. I needed that. I know we all did. Especially after a year of living in a bustling suburb of Washington D.C., this was a chance for all of us to catch our breath.
I immediately noticed how quiet it was, even on the parkway. Nature brought its own sounds, but the absence of helicopters, the hum of cars and trains, even the sounds of our apartment building left a void that I was not eager to fill. I wanted to sink into that stillness.
The house itself was a beautiful home at the end of a winding, wooded driveway. I’ve chosen poorly in the past, so we were all grateful for a win this time. Natural light streamed through the large windows in the morning. The kitchen was well stocked for “home cooked” meals. The recycling bin had a note requesting wine bottles be saved at all costs, for the future Hobbit-inspired cottage the owners hoped to build one day. It was all lovely.
This trip was not overly planned. The stroller and tiny chair in the back of our trusty CRV gave us the flexibility to take walks and sit down to eat when we needed to. The mild weather welcomed us outside most of the time and invited us to explore a local reservoir and greenway. We ate lunch on a shaded park bench while watching cars and people pass by. Of course, lots of time in the car necessitated frequent visits to play parks. When the sun became too warm, we browsed a used bookstore and stopped for ice cream.
On our drive back we thought we’d grab breakfast to-go and head home. The billboards for Virginia’s largest quilt shop and the antique barn quickly changed our course. We couldn’t resist the Amish cinnamon rolls, either. The detours made the drive longer, and we hit some traffic once we approached northern Virginia, but Aaron’s podcast selections and a napping kiddo in the back made it easy.
We’ve since returned home and shuffled into our usual routine. Chores need to be done, meals need to be made, but a few days in the mountains was a well-earned reset for us. Until next time!
