Appalachian Weekend

A couple of weeks ago we drove up to Shenandoah National Park for a little R&R. It is a new tradition we started last year when we were first blown away by the beautiful fall foliage. But this year, we were lucky enough to stay overnight at the Big Meadows Lodge-- a historic lodge built in the 1930's.

Linus was at the tail end of a bad cold and was a little out of sorts. Here he is after he fell asleep on Mattias lap, on a rocking chair in the Great Room (complete with a view of the Shenandoah Valley.)

We spent a little time at the playground, where Kerstin and I did most of the playing ;)

But Linus loved to look at sticks and such.


Just for comparison, this is his photo at Shenandoah last year. He was still a little baby (said in super-nostalgic-Ellie-voice.)

Before dinner we head up to a lookout with Linus in the backpack, to catch a glimpse of the famous Blue Ridge Mountain sunset.

Pure magic. And in Karlsson-style we got there just in time to see the sun slip below the horizon.


The next morning we took it easy. READ: Kerstin took care of Linus after he woke up screaming at 5:30AM while Mattias and I slept in. Then we decided to take on the Appalachian Trail. That's right, we can say we hiked the Appalachian Trail... even if it was just for 45 minutes :)


Here in Arlington we were able to squeeze in an afternoon of walking, and Mattias took these fabulous pictures.

Linus found this ginormous leaf.

You know it's a big leaf when it covers the entirety of Linus' head.