South Thru VA

June 11, 2013: today we left Episcopal and headed out. We went West from DC to the Civil War Battlefield of Manassas. These sites are so beautiful and peaceful and it is always amazing to think of the battles that took place there. The girls had fun climbing on cannons and statues. James and I did our best to try and get a little history out of it. The cicadas that have been talked about are actually out in VA and they are everywhere. The girls are sometimes scared of them but we bribed them saying whoever picked up a live one first would get an Oreo. Casey won. We saw Bull Run and had a little picnic. All the rivers are raging after all the rains.m the kids were exhausted so after lunch we headed out. We skipped Luray caverns and the Skyline drive. We had done some caves last summer and for $65 we decided to pass. The girls really needed a good nap so we just made hay. We got to the Buchanan, VA area, just north of Roanoke. We stopped and went over a swinging bridge that crossed the James River. It was roaring and full of debris. After that we went to an elementary school for some playground time. It is hot out so we found a swimming hole in a creek. The kids were brave and dunked under and played around having lots of fun. We found a campground nearby and set up shop after much deliberation over which was the best spot. We used our new camping stove for the first time and cooked elbows and red sauce. We took the pots and bowls to the bathrooms to clean them and then went to explore. The kids played at the playground while James and I got in a game of horse. Then we found the swimming pond and the kids got right in. Skinny dipping was a blast and so fun as the sun was setting. Now everyone is piled into the tent for our first night camping out. Hopefully molly doesn't keep the whole campground awake coughing.