Vacation means lying by the pool, hitting up the buffet and chilling out on the beach ─ right? Well, maybe sometimes. Not this time though. This year seemed more like one of the high adventure boy scout trips we used to do years ago.
Yes, I love fitness but I also love spending time with the family. We have so many wonderful memories of family vacations when the boy's were younger. Now they are young adults and we don't get many opportunities to spend quality time together. This year we were fortunate enough to vacation with the entire family as we traveled to Massanuteen Resort located in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley for our family vacation.
Instead of spending time lounging on the beach which I do love, this year's family vacation was full of fun and outdoor activities. I love being outdoors in nature, and the sense of an adventure feeds my soul. When life get's stressful, to me it is my natural medicine and, makes me feel like me again.
With or without kids, there's always adventures to find; here's a quick recap of our recent family vacation combining 3 things I love the most: family, fitness and adventure.
Swimsuits, Kayak and River Adventures
Day 1 was spent kayaking 7 miles along the Shenandoah River. We began in Elkton, and paddled downstream just under 2 hours. South Fork is primarily Class I waters, with some Class II spots. We saw beautiful scenery and wildlife along the way. We even saw some cows along the shoreline.
The tour guide told us to expect 6 class I rapids but it was more like 8 with at least 2 of them class II. On the 3rd rapid I got stuck on the rocks and tried to push off a rock with my paddle and the kayak started tipping and taking in water. I then remembered our guide telling us to grab the sides of the kayak and push forward. Mission accomplished. So glad I didn't have to be the one to come back with a wet swimsuit. All in all, it was a fun day and a great upper body and core workout.
Put on those Hiking Shoes
Day 2 we decided to hike one of the biking trails to get a feel for what the cross country biking would be like. So, we started at the Massanutten overlook and hiked Kaylor's Knob Pink Loop - about 4 miles total to the Pink Loop Upper Ravine. It was a healthy dose of rock tech and fun flow. There were lots of switchbacks and plenty of terrain options. Gary was unable to hike the whole trail due to neck and back pain.
We were told it was a favorite hot lap for technical rock junkies and suckers for punishment alike. I could see why as we hiked clockwise for a smoother climb and super technical descent down Kaylor Ridge North with some moderate rock crawling along the way. It was a hot humid August day in Virginia, and we didn't bring enough water. Sweaty and dehydrated but definitely got a good leg workout. Coming back, the overlook was a sight for sore eyes as we were ready to quench our thirst.
Grab a Bike and go
Day 3: So after much contemplation over mountain biking up the mountain with bikes on the chairlift vs. cross country mountain biking we decided on cross country biking on the western slope again. I was a little reluctant after all the rocks I saw from hiking the day before but hey I'm always down for adventure. I ride because it’s fun and I enjoy it. Riding mountain bikes lets a 50-something gal like me cut loose with my boy's.
The terrain was difficult; a mix of rough forest paths, trees, roots, streams to cross and rocks lots of rocks to jump, overgrown fields and dirt roads along the western part of the mountain. At one point we ended up on one of the double diamond slopes and at the end of the trail was a fun dirt bike course. Riding a mountain bike downhill is fun but also challenging especially keeping your balance between rocks and gullies, around turns and down steep hills just isn’t an easy thing to do. My upper body was just so tired of the beating it took from the rocks and the roots.
I was starting to struggle at the back of the pack, but determined to keep up with my boy's. I would remind myself that so much of what holds us back is fear, so I tried to clear my mind and focus on the ride. At times it was painful, both mentally and physically but, that’s what keeps it interesting. Mountain biking makes you fit, and to some degree at least requires you to be fit to get any enjoyment out of it.
Grab those Hiking Shoes one more time
Day 4: My girls and I decided to hike again. This time we hiked the Ridge Trail to the top of the mountain. This trail is extremely rocky with lots of rock scrambling, walking and crawling up steep terrain on your hands. The trail is about 2.25 miles each way with the turnaround point opening up to a beautiful panorama overlooking the ski slopes.
If you have kids, I encourage them to try new things, give it a go or just get on with it. Often, as adults, we stop trying new things, become set in our routine and let fear, possible failure, or heaven forbid, the feeling of looking silly, stop us from taking on new challenges. Our world can become smaller as we live within the boundaries of what we define as “certain and sure”.
Brought the Clubs Along
I started taking golf lessons a few months ago. All my life I had no interest in golfing; until this year when out of the blue I decided I wanted to take up golf. It has been challenging but a lot of fun. This was the first vacation I ever played golf on.
Massanutten has 2 golf courses and Woodstone is situated at the base of the mountain and Mountain Greens with steep terraced tees and fairways further up the mountain. Woodstone with pictursque fairways was more my speed as a novice golfer. The only thing I didn't like was being rushed by several single golfers right behind us. Again, another great core workout.
Make time to Relax and Unwind
After several vacation days of hiking, rock scrambling, mountain biking and golf, my lower back was hurting. Luckily Massanutten has a spa. What a find! The spa was beautiful. We signed up for a couples massage and were greeted by the friendly staff and offered refreshments and wine. My masseur was Jonathon and he was fantastic. He did a therapeutic 60 minute aromatherapy Swiss massage that worked miracles on my back, shoulders and legs. It was just what I needed after an adventure packed vacation.
Last day was spent just chilling pool side with hubby. And of course, every vacation should make room for rest and recovery.
All in all, It was another great time spent with the people I love the most. The memories made with my family during this vacation and all the others will stay with me and hopefully with them for years to come. Because in the end, isnt that all that really matters.
