I remember when we lived in Maryland, almost every Fall, my Dad and Mom would take us on a family camping trip up into the Shenandoah Mountain National Park in Virginia.
I know, you're thinking, "Fall time, wasn't it cold in that tent sleeping on the ground?"
"YES!" You have no idea. But I must admit, there is nothing like the air in the Virginia mountains in the Fall. What fun we had sitting around a campfire in the crisp night air all bundled up sharing stories and playing games.
It's a great balance between snuggling up into your comfy warm sleeping bag and getting the best night's sleep you can imagine and then the "No-words-for-it" shock of cold you feel as you awaken with the sunrise.
In the morning we'd awaken and look outside our tents at the gorgeous scenery. The air was almost frigid as we would run over to the campfire my Dad had made to warm ourselves as Mom gave us each a warm mug of hot chocolate ,,,with mini marshmallows, what a wonderful balance! After breakfast we'd hike for hours amongst the various trails throughout the mountain.
It's so invigorating, you feel so alive and at the same time, ''at-one-with nature'. The incredible vibrant colors of the trees is like Mother Nature hand painted each tree.
As we drove into the mountains I remember all of us totally speechless in the car in awe of tree covered mountains. Each tree, no, actually each leaf had its own individual personality of color. Yet when you looked at the entire spectrum, each leaf complimented one another and each tree lead to a visual spectrum of the most purity of balance in colors I have ever seen.
Like most families, our day to day schedule was extremely busy. I will always be so grateful to my parents who knew how to balance the hectic with the calm and peace of those wonderful Fall camping trips to the Virginia mountains.
It always reminded me that this was the 'kickoff' to the wonderful holiday season starting with Thanksgiving!
