Gone caving

This weekend we decided to do something a little different. We drove to Luray, Va and checked out one of their main attractions, the Luray Caverns. I haven't been to a cave since we went to Mammoth Caves, like 20 years ago. It was a lot of fun. I wish I could show you how awesome it was via pictures, but the cave environment is not exactly ideal for capturing memories. I did get a few good ones, which I'll share now.

In the cave. Sure is dark!

Ian checking the place out.

Not a crazy cave floor, but a perfect reflection in a cave lake. Very impressive.

Here is a dramatic colum made of stalagtites and stalagmites connected.

Peeking inside the "stalagmite curtains"

Karleigh in a cave.

A "veil" in the cave.

Cave lake turned into a wish well. Pennies turn the water green.

And a garden maze outside of the cave.

Also, I made a six pack caddy for Sabrina's birthday. I think she liked it. It turned out pretty cool, although I am not sure it is very practical.

Well, we are excited to see everyone for Thanksgiving. See you in a day or two!

Recreation at Rocky Knob

Hey family and friends. Last May I bought Ian an awesome book detailing hiking trails off of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Well it has been sitting around, collecting dust, until this weekend. I found a 3.1 miles loop that turned out to be pretty awesome. It was about an hour drive from our place, and about a 2.5 hour hike. I think if anyone visits in nice weather, we will probably take you here. Have a look.

Rocky Knob is right off of the Blue Ridge Parkway

Along the trail were the remnants of an old house or something.

We had to blaze up this extremely steep old logging road. So it doesn't look so steep here...but it was.

After a little confusion with where exactly the trail split, we eventually got to this ladder over a fence into a cow pasture. The trail continued on the other side of the pasture.

Neit had no problems with the ladder...

And then frolicked in the field until we got him back on the leash.

We had to watch our step...cow plop.

And once again got confused as to which blazed trail to follow back. Here is Ian consulting our book.

Some nice views before we got back to the beginning of the trail.

Here is Ian.

Pretty cool find huh? Maybe we can take you here next time.

Party time. Excellent.

Halloween party at our house! Ian made some potent punch, and we got some dry ice to make it look spooky. The punch pretty much made the party. Because everyone drank it. And we had fun. This was our first attempt at mixing social circles, as Ian invited his friends from work and I invited mine. It worked out pretty well. Pictures tell a thousand stories, or something, so here you go...

Your excellent hosts

Bill Cosby. He ate all the pudding pops.

Nick and Mona as B.B. Wolf and lil' R.R. Hood.

Sabrina and Jerry as Axel and Slash

Mitch and Heather as P. Imp and T. Fairy

Marnie and Fred as 80's Prom and Zombie bicycle enthusiast

New friends Becky and Heath as Cat and Star Wars guy

Dan and friends. Note repeat pimp costume. How embarrassing.

The canines.

Ian was sober enough to figure out how to use the timer on my camera. Group shot. How adorable.

And here Neit personafies how we felt the next day. All tuckered out.

Good Halloween. Unfortunately, no trick or treaters. But hey, maybe next year.