Turning for Home and Hansel's Big News

 

Thanks to this forecast, we decided to cut the trip short and head for home for the 4th of July instead of Shenandoah. We'd already survived some rainy nights in Lexington and weren't really looking forward to two days of weather that we couldn't go hiking in or have a campfire. Why go camping if you can't do those two things?! They're the best part!

So we took the scenic route home through Charleston, WV and took an even more scenic detour to see the New River Gap in southern West Virginia. I'd always seen pictures of it but had never made the trek while I was in Morgantown. As with most of our trip, pictures don't do it much justice but it is absolutely gorgeous. Plus, the drive down there is full of stunning scenery!

Charleston

Gauley River

The bridge! Yes we drove over the river on it!

The New River

 It was a marathon driving day, but we had some beautiful views and got to at least drive by Shenandoah on our way through Harrisburg. We got back to Bethesda pretty late, but we were very excited to be sleeping in a real bed! With air conditioning! In a room we could stand up in!

The biggest excitement of the day came when we were actually still in Lexington. While perusing the toy wonderland that is Cracker Barrel, I found another Hansel!! 

 Byron the Brontosaurus was hatched in my parents' kitchen a few days later. Hansel is adjusting well to his new dino sibling.