Yesterday, Matt and I hiked one of my absolute favorites in the area – Old Rag Mountain in Shenandoah National Park in VA.
Do you guys remember what happened last time we hiked Old Rag, 1.5 years ago?? 
This time, Matt and I hiked with my college BFF Turner and her husband Will! They love this hike as much as we do and Turner and I have been plotting a day for all of us to hike it together for awhile now. Yesterday was the day! We met in the trailhead parking lot at 11 a.m. and were on our way.
It was fun to be back – and especially on such a beautiful day! It was cold but super sunny.
This is a pretty strenuous hike – about 5 hours worth of lots of steep uphill/downhill, plus some really fun (and occasionally hard) rock scrambling. You are rewarded with views along the way. Worth it!
After all the gray/rainy weather last week here in DC, it felt really nice to get outside and enjoy some fresh air and sunshine.
One day, this rock is going to fall and I really hope I’m not around for it…
Around 1, we stopped for lunch. Turner and Will picked up sandwiches for us all to share and Matt and I were in charge of sides/snacks. I brought orange slices, sliced soccer practice style:
Carrots:
And an assortment of granola bars, nuts/dried fruit, pop chips, etc.
Eating lunch on the top of a mountain = life is good. Matt and I shared a big turkey, havarti, avocado, bacon, lettuce/tomato sandwich. So good!
And then we were back on our way!
With Turner, near the top:
The boys:
Lol – there was some ice at the top in shallow pools!
We made it!
Here we are at the top, where we got engaged 1.5 years ago.
Reenactment 
Our hiking buddies:
After the pictures, we quickly exited – it was SUPER windy up there!
On the way down, we found a little building called “the Byrd’s Nest” – which is exactly the same name as the newlywed cottage on the property at Rosemont Manor, where we got married! We stayed there after the wedding. How fun!
Thanks for the fun day, Matt, Turner and Will! You make excellent hiking buddies. Can’t wait for next time!
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