While clearly keeping in mind why we are celebrating this holiday weekend, for those who have lost their lives serving our country, we enjoyed a weekend of fellowship at the Memorial Day Weekend Rally at the Highland Haven Airstream Park, not too far down the road from Floyd, VA (home of the Floyd Country Store). You know, about half way between Hillsville (home of the Hillsville Flea Market) and Bent Mountain.

First off, thanks to our friends at Highland Haven for hosting this weekend. The area is beautiful and the views from the park are stunning.

While the park has very strict and enforced rules for pets, there is a meadow area where the dogs can run off-leash and enjoy themselves. I think the population for this past weekend soared to about 50% canine – some very big and some very small.

At about 2,700 feet elevation, this park makes for a convenient base camp for Airstream owners to explore the Shenandoah Valley area. There are endless opportunities for hiking (the Appalachian Trail is only a short few miles away), biking on places like the New River Trail, music galore (blue grass in particular), and of course paddling.

We had a glorious day on Saturday paddling the Little River! We paddled about 7 miles, most of it uneventfully, but a few of us had an opportunity to cool off in the river. Regardless, it was a beautiful paddle.

We had a few deer sightings as well as some regular activity at the bird condo.

With weather making biking questionable, there was no sense in wasting the day. We headed to nearby Chaos Mountain Brewery for a little taste of the nectar, giving Dottie her first experience at a brewery.

In thinking about this weekend, if you are still reading, we are so supremely fortunate to be living the lives we do. As we enjoy this weekend, no matter what your situation, be thankful for what you have, be thankful for those who have made your lives better (it could be veterans, teachers, parents, friends, complete strangers…), and be particularly thankful for those who have lost their lives in the pursuit and protection of our freedoms, as others around the world clearly do not enjoy these same freedoms.