Sky Meadows

Sky Meadows State Park is just down the road from Hollin Farms so after we finished picking peaches we headed there for a picnic and more stunning views of the countryside (and lots of butterflies and cows). The kids loved running in the wide open spaces. We had the entire place to ourselves and just enjoyed a lazy summer afternoon.

There is an old farm house there, the Mount Bleak House, that you can tour. We had never done the tour before but one of the rangers was kind enough to give our huge group of excited kids a tour. It was perfect because she geared the tour toward the kids and made it very interesting for them. She wasn't bothered by their enthusiasm and didn't even panic when they touched something (rare for a house tour around here). We learned all about how a middle-class farm family lived in the 1860s. Oliver was getting a little crazy on the tour so I had to take him out, but the girls loved it.

 Elsa picked a bouquet of wildflowers for me. "Mom, don't see what I'm doing. It's a surprise!"

Oliver enjoying the freshly cut grass.

Not thrilled to find this little guy spying on us.

 

I hung out with these two while the others finished the house tour. Simon immediately rolled onto his face and attempted to eat some grass.

 Descending into the creepy ice house.

sky meadows

After picking pumpkins at Hollin Farms, we headed down the road to Sky Meadows State Park. We did a short hike that provided fantastic views and lots of cows. 

Elsa took an unfortunate step.

The kids loved playing in the hay and the tunnels. Ben and I loved relaxing in the grass, enjoying the perfect fall weather.

a perfect saturday. part 2.

After picking pumpkins we drove down the road to the Apple House. (Thanks for the recommendation Jessica!) We had a delicious lunch and sampled wonderful things like pumpkin mousse and fresh apple cider. We got some pumpkin donuts, apple donuts, and apple cider and made our way to Sky Meadows State Park. The drive through the countryside was so beautiful and Sky Meadows was spectacular. We hiked to the top of a hill and were surrounded by amazing views and a lot of cows. We relaxed in the grass and enjoyed our donuts and cider. Amelia and Elsa found a frog and were beyond excited. They named him Excited Jumper. He was tossed, dropped, and handled more than he probably wanted to be. When it was time to leave, they made a nice home for him in the hollow of a tree. It's probably safe to assume that Excited Jumper is no longer with us. He might have been loved a bit too much that day.

Virginia in the Fall makes me happy.

Meet Excited Jumper.

Elsa has a moment with Excited Jumper.