We have been looking forward to this past Friday for about a month. It was peak Autumn time in the Shenandoah and we were going camping-no matter what. So we did, despite the 45 mph winds and torrential downpour!

We were able to enjoy the foliage on the drive up. The clouds were only beginning to settle on the mountain. Our hike was downright creepy. We walked through a silent mist most of the time. The apple tree was a fun surprise amid the dreary hike.

Nice and crunchy!

I was delighted that Jesse was so excited about our camping trip. He had only camped once before we were married, but now that we have gone a few times, he looks forward to our trips as much as I do!

Jesse claims that his recent facial hair growth is for his "camping beard" to keep warm. We'll see if he shaves now that the trip is over...

The rain held off long enough for us to get a roaring fire going and cook our steak dinner!

We kept warm and mostly dry during the night. It was a bit unnerving to hear a gust of wind whip up through the trees and then shake the sides of our tent, but I slept through most of it. Jesse was under a drip, but he survived under the covers.

The next morning it was pouring! We were lucky to have a dining fly to keep dry while we made breakfast and procrastinated taking the wet muddy tents down in the storm.

So wet! Our tent is sitting out on our deck now drying off.

We had so much fun! And we can take a local hike to enjoy the last of the leaves before winter takes them all away!