Weekend in Shenandoah

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To celebrate 9 years together (that is, 9 years since our first date), we rented "Trackside Cabin" in Shenandoah, VA.

When I made the reservations, I enjoyed the irony.

The first time David and I confessed our love for each other, we stayed at a motel in Williamsburg---with a train track right beside our room.

We were woken at least three times by the blaring whistle and vibration that shook our room windows.

It was one of those extreme annoyances that you have to laugh at, and certainly, it's not something we have forgotten. So having a train track beside our getaway this weekend made us nostalgic and silly.

The cabin train actually only came by once per night, but it was enough to make us giggle.

The cabin itself is absolutely gorgeous with a breathtaking view of the mountains. The owners have gone out of their way to decorate the place in country and primitive decor, emanating a natural beauty and coziness that hotels can't provide.

The owners left us a bottle of wine with chocolates and a little welcome sign with our names on it.

The place smelled like cinnamon.

Spring had finally decided it was time to meander in, so on Saturday, we walked along the river in Luray. The air was warm--about 70 degrees--and the water clear from the too-ample rain we had earlier in the month. People brought their dogs and babies out, children rode their bikes, and I believe some anglers even were fortunate enough to catch trout.

David and I decided that when we retire, we want to live in a peaceful, simple place like this.

Too bad we have to wait until we retire, of course.