Pumpkin Patch and a 'Camping' Trip

Last weekend, when Alder was really getting comfortable walking, we went to a small pumpkin patch in the yard of a local church. He LOVED cruising around, stacking, climbing, and talking to them.
This past weekend we headed out Friday afternoon on an ambitious, much needed camping trip. The weather is wonderful and cool, the leaves are just starting to change! Mom and Dad are overworked and want QT family time away from home. We had been recommended an isolated spot along the Cowpasture River in Western VA. We arrived around 5pm and Alder was cranky! He had woken from a nap with a fever! What to do...we did not want to go home, we had a dog and did not want to find a pet-friendly hotel, we did not know if camping with 40 degree weather would be good for Alder with a fever...

Douthat State Park was 30 minutes to the west and so we headed that way. We rented a one-room cabin (2 night minimum) and crossed our fingers that Alder would get better and not worse. He woke several times that night burning up with fever and then awoke Saturday (and for the rest of weekend) a very happy boy. So our isolated, rustic weekend turned into a rather cozy and comfortable getaway. While we were able to sleep indoors, we spent as much time as possible outside: cooking, eating and exploring. There are 40 miles of trails that extend from the park into the National Forest and we did not see many people despite the fact that it is a busy time of year. It was really great!


In preparation for heating our house with wood again this winter, we were sure to talk to Alder about the 'hot' fire as we have been doing for awhile now. He loves to sign for simultaneously say 'hot' in the exact same tone that we say it - very cute!

Thanks Jen Jen and Dave for Alder's great sleeping bag - we finally put it to good use!

Bed head and muffins in the morning!

On the way home we stopped at Goshen Pass Natural Area Preserve and played in the rocks along the river. Alder was not very good at tossing pebbles into the water, but he enjoyed climbing around.