Parish and I knew that the holiday season would be busy, so we planned our getaway for December 27 – December 30. We decided to continue this annually, but stay longer! James River State Park will be our go-to. WOW! We love this park for so many reasons. Even though your cabin is near the…
Category: Meaningful Places
Places, Businesses, and websites that are meaningful!
Love and Adventure: Biking in Smithfield, VA
Smithfield, Virginia, is a quaint town filled with surprises and beauty! We have walked the Windsor Castle trail several times. We discovered the Park-to-Park Trail and Nike Park for our E-bikes. We visited the town of Smithfield first to stop by Yummaries Bakery and purchase holiday treats for upcoming parties. We brought a cooler to…
Adventure & Joy Awaits: Our Weekend at Occoneechee State Park
What a fantastic weekend!! We had the most eventful, hilarious, and back-to-nature weekend at Occoneechee State Park. Our first camping weekend had been here, but we wanted to try coming back and staying on the water. We stayed at C32. We arrived at sunset and set up our 9-person tent. This tent is vintage, and…
Finding Peace in the Present: A Bike Ride Reflection
Riding our bikes is a place of peace and a time to slow down. The smooth hum was instantly lost to the air. It was a planned afternoon on the Capital Trail with our granddaughter, Autumn, no pressing agenda, just the simple rhythm of turning pedals and teaching her to love nature and being outdoors….
Finding Healing and Hope in Prayer and Friendship
My current Bible study author noted that journaling is a way to share God‘s faithfulness. At the end of each year, she will spend three days reading through all her journal entries to contemplate God‘s faithfulness. As you know, this is a practice for me to write about what I’m learning in life, meaningful events,…
Mt Vernon Trail: Potomac River
On October 26, 2025, for Parish’s birthday, we ventured out to the Mt. Vernon Trail. If you’re looking for the best way to soak in the beauty and history of the Washington D.C. area without getting stuck in traffic, the Mount Vernon Trail is an absolute must-do. This 18-mile paved multi-use path is much more…
Camping Adventures: Tips from Our Trip to Occonneechee State Park
I’ve camped in groups and a little glamping at Camp Willow Run in boxcars. The last time Parish and I went solo tent camping was almost 35 years ago, when I was 7 months pregnant with Victoria. We borrowed a tent from a friend. Needless to say, we had very little equipment to go on…
York River State Park & Richmond Adventure on E-Bikes
This weekend was a holiday weekend, so we had more time to explore. After teaching on Saturday morning, we went out to York River State Park! A scenic drive from Chesterfield and ample parking with a visitor’s center to get your trail maps. We consistently ask the rangers and workers what the best trails are…
Adventure Awaits: Discover Ashland’s Scenic Trail and Eats
An afternoon adventure to the Ashland Trolley Line Trail offers a delightful escape into a mix of nature and small-town charm. The trail, a nicely paved path, is perfect for a leisurely bike ride or a brisk walk. It is part of a bigger plan to connect Ashland to Petersburg, VA! Check it out here….
Chippokes State Park: History, Nature, and Fun
This state park truly rose to the “most favorite” for its beauty and bike trails. We visited Chippokes State Park a few years ago during the holiday season. They provided a wreath-making session, and we fell in love with the park. Upon return, we did not realize the depth of what it had to offer….
ARRESTED BY GRACE 