And ANOTHER One!

Wow my kids must be on a rare good-behavior streak or something (actually I don't know... yesterday kind of balanced things out a little!) but we had another awesome day on Monday! Travis was off for Columbus Day, as was Jeff, and they had planned a great little family outing to Harper's Ferry, WV, and they invited us along!
This was my first time in West Virginia, so it was pretty monumental. I'd never even heard of Harper's Ferry, but now I can't believe we've been spending our "tourist" days going back to the same old DC sites. This place was AMAZING! It was the cutest little village with all these shops (some real, some not) that were trying to mimic the authentic Civil War feel from the days the town is best known for. I took a million pictures, which is completely unlike me. That's how beautiful it all was. I will try not to bombard you with pictures. Okay maybe I will anyway.

Our driving buddies (Jeff & Shauna)
Us. Driving.

We parked in Upper Town Harper's Ferry, I think, and then rode a shuttle down to the village (not much parking there). Kate was extra excited about the bus because somehow she picked up Pocahontas (we first believed we were in Pocahontas county, based on our large collection of tourist brochures. We weren't, after all), so she kept calling it the Pocahontas bus. Somehow it made it more magical for her.

When we arrived, we headed straight for the little presentation that was going on at the armory. (Mostly we just followed the crowds of people.) First off, I have to admit that I honestly had no clue who John Brown was. Or what he did. And even after we listened to these guys who were dressed up in their fantastic Civil War costumes explain the story to us... um I still don't really understand. Apparently he was an abolitionist... but he was a bad guy? Still pretty confused. It doesn't help that history is certainly not my best subject. I mean I still LOVE it all, but it goes right over my head.

Okay, this next picture looks kind of bland, but let me tell you what it is. We are standing on the tip of West Virginia where the Shenandoah River (on the right) joins the Potomac river (on the left). The land on the left (across the river) is Maryland and on the right is Virginia. So, three states in one shot! There ya go.And here we all are.

Jeff knew about Harper's Ferry because he took the scouts on a (gulp) 50-mile hike along the original Appalachian Trail. Apparently it cuts right through Harper's Ferry, specifically along the path to this church. I LOVED this little church - it was the perfect centerpiece for the whole village. I just have no idea how the people climbed those killer stairs to get to church! Especially the old ladies.

The ruins of the old church

I was telling the other Grown-Ups how I felt like a Real Family, doing things like this! You know, planning day trips and packing peanut-butter sandwiches, and seeing things that are boring for kids but interesting for adults. So fun!!!Anyway. I just thought it was all so picturesque, especially for this time of year. I didn't want to make this post any longer than it already is, so I whipped up an entire slide show of the remaining pictures I liked. It was just that great of a trip. No really, look at them all. Soak up the autumn.

THANK YOU SO MUCH Burnetts for inviting us on your fun family outing!!! We had the BEST time!