"Massadoah" - Woodstock, Virginia

Yesterday we drove 90-minutes from Falls Church to Woodstock Virginia to stay at the beautiful farm house and property here called, Massadoah. Denise's sister is a partner in the 200-acre property. The farm house is the main draw card but not far away is the beautiful Shenandoah National Park - a location where many a bitter battle was fought during the Civil War. The weather has been kind and we've had another two warm days, though the evenings are getting cooler. On our walk yesterday afternoon we saw 7 hang gliders making graceful arcs in the sky above the mountain ranges to the south of the property. Many of the leaves have fallen from the abundant oak trees and it's clear that with the shortening days the weather will soon turn much colder for the winter ahead. We're staying here 2 nights -- heading back tomorrow. It is a wonderful break from the travel and "touristing" we've been doing. We saw a river otter last night as well as the obligatory wood peckers and various small wood birds. This morning a large flock of wild turkeys flew nearby the house. We can hear the occasional gun shot from hunters outside the property but otherwise it is quite serene here. The girls are currently building a fort in the yard near the farm house. It's amazing how the active imagination of young children and the abundant resources of a large farm are so conducive to an afternoon of endless play.