So, it was time to get away from Washington DC, and what better way to do so than to go to the country? Friends (Alissa and Matt) live near the Shenandoah mountain range in Virginia, and they hosted a weekend of camping at their house, surrounded by 3 acres of pastoral beauty. Truly a small town it was- full of simple things like eating sausage gravy on biscuits at the country diner or watching the dog eat bugs at night. It was an extraordinary getaway, a peaceful oasis dotting the landscape of a nation that is generally in a hurry.
We ventured onto Skyline Drive, where we saw deer and greenery. Pictures were taken, as usual.

This is the lane that saved our necks on the way out. (We left at 5 PM on Friday afternoon.)

Chris Allison graced the Honda seen above with his Midwestern jokes, as he tagged along for the weekend. Here you see him attempting to amuse my roommate, Laurie.

This is me, as I survey Matt and Alissa's land.

This is just beautiful :)

...and this as well.

Time for some quality smoked meat!

An old friend, Mandy (we go all the way back to '97) and her fiance, Jason, on the road to go hiking.

Orange storm clouds seem to be threatening the hills...

A desolate country road framed by trees.

The borders of yet another small farm, and the lovely sky.

The hills of Shenandoah Valley.

Tent recovery the old-fashioned way... picking it up and dragging it back :)

The sun off the Honda's hood, as the road curves to overlook the Valley.

A storm looks like it's brewing over the hills, as the sky turns black.

A view of my Columbias, as I laze by the house.

Some orange flowers by the garage.

Matt explains a point to Chris on the way to go out to breakfast.

Matt built a HUGE bonfire on Saturday night, that literally blistered our skin!

Matt and his fire.

Chris woos one of the girls by the fire :)

We all sat in a circle, enjoying the glow of the fire on our faces.

Finally, marshmallows are roasted... and we camped.