our weekend expedition to Luray


Monday, May 7, 2012


I spent my childhood in Richmond, Va and all the while I remember hearing about Luray Caverns. So naturally when I found myself transplanted here in Virginia again 14 years later, I packed my little family up for a day trip to explore one of nature's finest.

What we witnessed was incredible. I don't remember exactly how many millions of years the caverns are, but I do remember the tour guide saying that it takes 100 years for a stalactite to grow 1 inch! The lighting down there made it hard to crisp picture, but you get the idea.

While I was busy playing photographer, Jared was playing babysitter for the whole hour tour, keeping Ev from touching the million year old walls and preventing her from screaming so that the cave didn't vibrate for miles. I wish I could say that our first day trip as a family in months was a success, but a 15 month old makes things really exhausting super fast. We tried to let Ev run her energy out before heading in, but obviously echoing walls and hills to run down with puddles are irresistible. When we ended the tour and packed our squirmy child in the backseat, Jared turned to me and said "Sometimes it's really hard being her dad." I laughed and said, "And it's not hard being her mom?" I guess this is to say that pictures can paint a different story and make things look cheery when perhaps they were not the fondest memories afterall. And while I'm glad we were able to witness one of the wonders of the world, it sure made for one big headache. I don't know how my parents ever did trips with us 5 kids. That would set me right over the edge :)

12 comments:

  1. I have lived in Charlottesville for almost 6 years now and Luray is still on our list for places we must see!

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  2. Whatt this is in Richmond VA???? I live in VB and we go to Richmond all the time but didnt know about this place! I must tell my husband! thanks for sharing the photos!

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  3. she's so adorable! what a fun weekend activity!

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  4. It might not have been the most relaxing day trip, but the not so good trips put the great trips into perspective.

    And she sure looks like she was a happy baby all day :)

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  5. we're still getting used to trips with the TWO of us. so one, two, three, or more children would really be...interesting :)

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  6. I don't know how your mom did it either! 5 kids on trips -- my goodness! I can barely keep my 1 child calm. Thank you for your honesty & for sharing these amazing pics!

    kendall

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  7. amazing pictures! that place looks magical. i always adore reading about your precious little family :)

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  8. I live in northern VA and have been telling my husband that we should go to the Caverns sometime this spring. Where do you all live?

    Hugs,
    Andi

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  9. Wow! This place looks amazing. Before I read the title I thought you were blogging about Jeitta Grotto in Lebanon, where I am on holiday at right now! I blogged about the place and it is so similarly alike!

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  10. Looks amazing, we went to a under ground cave in Hawaii on Maui when we were there and it was beautiful!!!

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  11. Toddlers complicate everything! Always! Stress levels....high.
    Surely it must get easier?

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  12. ummm this place looks incredible! and.. your blog is adorable. so is your little family! xo

    kellychristine

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