A Trip to the Highlands...

Parts of the Appalachians were settled by people from Scotland, largely because it looked so much like their homeland. This weekend, we went up to Grayson Highlands, and we now fully understand what they mean. Every fall, we take a weekend in the mountains, and I think we might have found the place we will keep returning to this year.

We stayed at a beautiful little cabin just outside the state park, and I knew I was in love when I saw the little pumpkin waiting for us:

It was an absolutely spotless cabin nestled right on the edge of the part. There was just enough space for the four of us; Evan loved his bunkbed room:

And we all loved the big back porch:

We actually picked the kids up early from school, stopped for lunch, and began a new tradition of stopping at a book shop on the way. Issa picked up some new reading material, Evan picked up a building set for the cabin, and we picked up a new board game for the evenings. We spent Friday settling in and just enjoying the cabin.

Saturday, we ate breakfast on the porch before we headed into the state park. Issa is the cutest hiker ever:

She danced her way through the park and literally over the rocks:

But the highlight of Grayson Highlands are the wild ponies, and the kids were thrilled to spot the first two:

They were introduced to the park to try to keep some of the brush clear, and now they just wander:

This mama and baby were the first two we spotted. They began about twenty yards from us, but slowly worked their way over:

We really think the little guy was only a day old. He still had some gunk on his back and was adorably wobbly:

We found another grouping on our way down the trail. Once pony ran right down the hill and nearly bumped into me! They are still very wild, but they come pretty close! We were some happy hikers:

After the hike, we stopped by the General Store. It's a stamp on the Appalachian Trail, and we just wanted to see it. It will forever be the oddest store I've even been in. Nary a fruit or vegetable could be found, but they had canned escargot, good wine, and SPAM--all on the same shelf. They had milk and juice but no bread. Naan and tandoori seasoning they had aplenty, though. They also had a whole assortment of old tractor parts and a gluten-free baking section. It was wild.

We spent the rest of Saturday enjoying our cabin. The backyard was Grayson Highlands, and this creek provided lots of fun: 

Everyone but Issa went down as some point:

Sunday, we were all sad to leave:

But grateful for some time away to just enjoy nature and each other: