My, how time does certainly fly. This picture was taken August 2019. A lot of life has happened since then, but 2010 was the last time I got up to the Shenandoah Valley portion of Virginia.

I am excited to say that 3 years later, it's time to go again! The next couple of days are full of cleaning, packing, last minute "make sure I do this before I go on vacation" work details, and a few events thrown in. Sunday afternoon, I then head up the interstate to find myself in the middle of Virginia! 

Mom won't be joining us this year, but my sister will bring the kids with her mid-way through the week. I haven't seen them both in a few months, so I know they will be taller, older, but still just as silly as their Aunt Susan!

I have no clue what we will do- leaving that planning part up to my sister. Before they get there, I have a couple of days to explore. Perhaps some moderate hiking trails, pool time, and maybe even a carriage ride are in my future. 

One thing I do hope we find is apples! It's still early, so it may not be time yet, but hopefully one or two orchards have some early crops!

No matter what we do, it will be great to be together as family. It will be great to explore. It will be great to rest before the marathon of the fall begins. I love to travel, and it's been a while, so it is exciting!

At the end of the week, the kids will go back to Maryland and begin school after Labor Day. I'll come back to NC and begin our fall programming at St. Paul's Lutheran here in Wilmington. It will probably be Christmas before we see each other again, so I definitely will cherish this time. 

What great weekend plans or upcoming travel plans might you have in store for your family?