A Women's Early Spring Backpacking Trip

Well I did it. I went on a backpacking trip. Without Kyle. With ALL women. And it was amazing. 

It's a big deal to say I went without Kyle because Kyle loves the outdoors and any chance he can get to hike through Shenandoah. A few of the women in our ward and other wards nearby get together every April and October to hike to a location overnight somewhere in Shenandoah. They camp and head out the next day. I decided it would be a great way to get in some exercise at 14 weeks pregnant. 

We got our gear together and headed out around noon. I didn't realize that the hike in was almost uphill most of the way! By the end, my legs were burning but it felt very accomplished as we set up for camp and got our food ready for the night. Since it was the middle of April, it was actually pretty cold and we huddled around that fire but other than that, I loved being out in nature and learning more about the women in the group!

The leaves were just starting to come out after a long winter. 

I was so impressed by those that were able to keep up a quick pace in the front. 

We reached the top of a hill and could get a glimpse of the valley through the trees. 

We set up camp at a beautiful spot called Emerald Pond. It had an amazing shade of green, hence the name. 

We noticed someone had made a little cove to swim in but it was far too cold for any of us to go near the water.

Here we were the next morning, after somehow surviving the freezing night.

Baby's first backpacking trip....kind of. 

I loved capturing this photo once we had found this vista...I also loved how they were all wearing the best and bright colors of spring. 

We got out to see the view on our hike back down and it was amazing. Shenandoah has had a little fire scare lately but I think they are getting it under control. Being out here made me appreciate how close we are to such a magnificent national park. I can't wait to go on another outing with Kyle and ESPECIALLY to take our little one camping for the first time. 

Hello spring! Why don't you stay for a while?

Spring is here in the Nation's Capital! Well, at least trying to fight winter and show it's here. It's been so nice to break out the skirts and wear short sleeves again (in all reality, I still wear a cardigan because office life tends to be on the cool air conditioned side). It's made me so happy to see warm weather and greenery appear again. So happy, in fact, that I had Kyle meet me for lunch near his work, next to the park by the White House. 

They have the cutest little stone tables and chairs with an engraved checkerboard
just if you happened to bring your checks or chess set along to play.  

This lunch was so good! Corner Bakery Cafe never disappoints.

Hi pretty flowers outside my work! Thanks for popping up to say hello.

Oh I love Capitol Hill row houses. Always so colorful.

We drove into Georgetown one afternoon to explore Dumbarton
Oaks Park. I want to go back once everything has bloomed. 

We also took a trip out to the Potomac Waterfront for a stroll.
There was a family of Canadian Geese that had the same idea.

My absolute favorite thing so far this season has been a pair of eagles (appropriately named "Mr. President" and "The First Lady") who made their home at the U.S. National Arboretum. They noticed them making a nest and then discovered two eggs were getting ready to hatch. A camera was set up and I found most of my coworkers had the live feed on in the top corner of their screens. They eventually hatched and there is a contest in naming the two eaglets. 

Angry mom!

The first baby.

So fluffy!

I was surprised to see how quickly they started eating whole foods
including the fish that Mr. President would bring into the nest.

A second eaglet! I think he had just fallen over on his back.

Mr. President eventually discovered the camera and wasn't too happy about it. 

Wings around each other. I died when I saw this. 

A happy D.C. family!

Another spring to the district means another season with the Cherry Blossoms! I love them every year. And every year we learn to avoid coming during the day to avoid the crowds. It's funny how a year can make you forget things because we always end up showing up during the day again! We can't stay away!

I even met Kyle after work one evening where we rented bikes to go see the blossoms by sunset. 

So beautiful!

And of course, we made a stop at our favorite gelato
place, Pitango (more about this heavenly spot HERE).

Chocolate and banana for the win.

I'm sure there will be a couple of teaser rain and snow storms, but
I am so happy to see you spring and hope you are here to stay!

A Cumberland Cross-Country Skiing Trip

Our wonderful friends Matt and Heidi gave us a call after big Storm Jonas and invited us to visit their little getaway home in Cumberland, Maryland. Matt has had this home for about 3 years and has been fixing it up. They hope to eventually rent it out to those who want to to experience Cumberland and the surrounding areas. With all the recent snow, they also said it would be a great time to go cross-country skiing. We jumped on the invite and drove north. Kyle insisted on having the most ridiculous outfit he could put together and somehow found a pair of my shorts that fit him. I think he won out of all of us and had several people laughing on the trail. I'm glad I married him.

The outfit reveal.

Matt and Heidi's reactions.

Cutest little state park. It's situated on a big lake and they offer
cross-country skiing and snowshoeing during the winter. 

Getting the hang of cross-country skiing takes a little bit of time. Well for me at least.
I feel like I was falling anytime my skies decided to keep going before the rest of my body could keep up. 

The great Cumberland home owners, Matt and Heidi. 

Our friends, the Lloyds came with us too. We've gone on a few excursions
with them including a hike to Old Rag in Shenandoah. 

It was so nice being in nature and seeing all the snow. We ended up taking
off our coats too with the warm weather and the skiing workout. 

The path went uphill most of the time but eventually took us down quite a big hill.
Kyle did wonderfully for not having skied in a while. Outfit and all. 

Such a great group of friends. 

The park ranger recommended Cornucopia Cafe and if you EVER find yourself in Cumberland, MD you must go!
Best tomato soup I've ever had. It may have been the workout talking but it tasted so good.

Catching Kyle mid-throwing a snowball. 

We visited one of the oldest and largest stone arch bridges in America.  

Another favorite part of this trip was a visit to the Fruit Bowl. They had nicely priced produce and a huge selection of candy. Kyle and I loaded up on some produce so we wouldn't have to grocery shop when we got home and snagged a couple of treats too.

Each box had a little handwritten sign of the type of candy. 

It reminded me of my Great Grandma Emily's handwriting.

Hard decisions.

At first glance there isn't much to Cumberland but after exploring and
especially being with good friends, it turned out to be quite charming. 

Thanks Fischers and Lloyds for a great weekend!