Introduction
This road trip started in Oakhurst, New Jersey and ended in Virginia. We broke up the drive with stops on the way there and back. We took this trip with Allen and Joseph, ages 5 and 4. Since we were driving, we brought along a hot plate and kosher food, as there was limited access to kosher meals.
Day 1: Road Trip Down
We left Jersey around 8 in the morning and drove for about 3 hours to Gettysburg National Military Park, the site of the Battle of Gettysburg. The kids were too young to appreciate the museum and history, but they did learn some of the basics of the Civil War and it was interesting to see the battlefield and memorials. We also saw the Cyclorama Painting at Gettysburg, a 360 degree painting that places viewers in the center of Pickett’s Charge.
We then drove an hour to Harpers Ferry, a historic town in West Virginia. We visited True Treats Historic Candy, which sold candies from the late 1500s until the present. We also learned about John Brown’s Raid in Harpers Ferry and saw some scenic views. We slept in Front Royal, Virginia.
Day 2
We started the day in Dinosaur Land, a cute tourist attraction that had life size statues of different species of dinosaurs. Although it was quite run down, the kids had a great time running around the park. Definitely recommend it for a road trip with kids!
Shenandoah National Park
The main attraction of this trip was Shenandoah National Park. This was the kids’ second national park and they were eager to become Junior Rangers. We began at the visitor’s center where we got information about the park and Junior Rangers booklets. We completed several age appropriate hikes/trails throughout the trip. We stayed in the Skyland Cabins; it was important for us to find a place to sleep inside the actual park. The cabin was very simple and did not have air conditioning. (It was very cool at night.) Outside of the cabins was a grass area with picnic benches where we ate our dinners.
Fox Hollow Trail
Fort Windham Rocks – Indian Run Spring
Dark Hollow Falls
Sunset at Spitler Knoll Overlook
Day 3: Around Shenandoah
Luray Caverns & Rope Park
Shenandoah River Swimming
Day 4: Shabbat
We celebrated Shabbat in the woods with food that we brought from home heated on the hot plate. We relaxed on Saturday day and also climbed the Stony Man Summit Hike. It was gorgeous!!! Too bad we don’t have any pictures of it.
Day 5
Blackrock Summit Hike – the best hike of the trip! Amazing views and climbing. The boys loved it – they have really become hikers!!
Monticello: About an hour and half from Shenandoah is Thomas Jefferson’s home Monticello. We walked through the old house and took a tour of the former plantation. The guide explained Jefferson’s role in slavery and we saw how slaves lived during the antebellum period. Take advantage of the guided tours and sessions that they offer – they were very informative and educational!
Sunset at Blackrock Trail
Day 6
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Be sure to take a tour inside the house and walk around the beautiful grounds of Washington’s home and this former plantation.
After Mount Vernon, we walked around the town of Alexandria, VA and stopped for a ride on the Capital Wheel ferris wheel. It was a very successful road trip!
