Shenandoah National Park

It was my great pleasure to spend a wonderful long weekend with 2 amazing & adventurous friends in Virginia's gorgeous Shenandoah National Park!  What a treat!  I seriously had an amazing time!

River bath on Day 2, haha

We all cramped into a tent and spent our first day on a short hike to some falls and enjoyed the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley.

On the second day we ventured up Old Rag Mountain which included a significant rock scramble portion.  I've done a LOT of hiking and backpacking, and I think that this was honestly the coolest, most fun day hike I have EVER been on.  And that is saying something!

On the last day we explored some HUGE local caverns and caves, which was pretty cool.

On the way home we even stopped for some delicious local BBQ at a little roadside restaurant + got some ice cream (you know that was a highlight for me!)-- so good!

I'll let the photos tell the story...

We saw bears!!

Just admiring some local art-- especially of the bicycle variety, of which I am particularly fond.


 These are hanging in my local bike shop-- Trophy Bikes-- they are prints based on the Tour De France by Eleanor Design & Illustration and I'm definitely planning on buying some:

 This is from 2nd Street, Northern Liberties, Philadelphia:

This is from downtown, near my office.  Looks like someone shares my sentiments towards the USPS...

And just in time for summer, here's a graffiti ice cream cone man!

But this is the real gem.  I LOVE this wheatpaste.  I have been asking artists friends if they know who's work it is.  I love it- an African American/Botticelli's Birth of Venus/Andy Warhol/Iconic Americana/Housewife. It's amazing:

City Escape

I'm a city girl at heart-- a perfect day for me includes (A) walking and/or biking around, (B) a museum or two, or maybe a theatrical or other fine art performance, (C) delicious food, (D) and some beautiful vistas.  In the context of one day, most of these things could only be simultaneously achieved in a larger metropolis, you know, one that actually has an opera house or ballet company, and one that has the luxury of great, classy food.

CHECK LIST:

X  Walking all around Manhattan

X  The Newsies on Broadway...and acrobatic street performers (totally counts!)

There was legit man-ballet happening in this show!  It was very enjoyable.

 

X  Australian (!) pies, street market kebabs & roasted corn on the cob, super posh Mediterranean food

    Yes!  It's Australian!  They serve Lamingtons, too!  Ah, sweet nostalgia...

A little Aussie, a little Israeli- I was certainly reliving my grand adventures through eating on this trip.

X  Central Park

So, yeah, pretty much a perfect day :)

I told Ian about me and Mom's tradition of handstands at Radio City Music Hall and since I was in a skirt, he decided to do the honors:

That's for you, Mom!