Have you ever been in such a fog that you believed the only thing that would help was a change of scenery? Well, that was me for the last few months. The creative juices were not flowing, all inspiration had run dry, and it felt like I was in a rut so deep that if I looked up, all I saw was dirt and sky. So, when an opportunity was presented to get away to the mountains for a few days, I knew I had to jump at the chance.
My good friend invited me to join her and her college friends for a long weekend in McGaheysville, Virginia. It warmed my heart that she thought of me for the trip, especially since I was the “outsider” of the group and had only previously met two of her friends who were going. Saying yes to the trip was a no-brainer, and by the time our departure day arrived, I was beyond ready to hit the road.
It took about 6 hours to get from my house to the cabin, which included stopping for gas and food. The car ride consisted of talking, laughter, and a killer playlist filled with Taylor Swift, 90s country, throwback Disney, and 2000s pop. We even got to experience the smallest town I’ve ever seen, Paw Paw, West Virginia. And, other than a terrifying left turn across a blind curve at the bottom of a hill, a rickety one-lane bridge, and the steepest driveway ever created leading up to the cabin, the drive was pretty easy.
Speaking of the cabin, not only was it gorgeous, but it was extremely spacious and fit the eight of us comfortably. It had four bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, a living room with wall-to-ceiling windows, a gas fireplace, and a large balcony with a breathtaking view of the mountains.
The first night was very low-key. The first half of the group had already arrived by the time we got there, and the last couple was still a few hours out. After we got settled in our room, we ate dinner and then sat on the balcony with hopes of seeing a sunset that we eventually realized was on the other side of the cabin. Later, once everyone had arrived, we talked for a little longer before everyone went off to bed. Travel days are always exhausting, so it wasn’t a long night.
The next morning was the only sunrise my friend and I saw. And let me tell you, there is nothing more beautiful than a mountain sunrise.
Soon after, the others started waking up and trickling into the main area of the cabin. Coffee and breakfast were served, and once we were full and caffeinated, the first full day began. Two people still had to work, since the first full day was a Friday, so a group of us decided to go on a hike. We ended up choosing a trail that was about 4 miles long and not a far drive from the cabin. Please don’t ask me what the hiking trail was, because I can’t for the life of me remember. Overall, the hike wasn’t bad. There were some uphill climbs and some rocky areas that threatened the stability of my ankles, but the air was crisp and the company was good. It also helped that a majority of the hike was filled with the two guys who embarked on this adventure trying to see who could find the better walking stick and seeing if they could lift fallen tree trunks. The view at the end of the hike was great. The reviews of this trail did say the best view was from the parking lot, and they weren’t kidding.
After the hike ended and we got back to the cabin, lunch was devoured, those who went on the hike got cleaned up, and we headed out to our next adventure; Brix and Columns Vineyards. It was a charming winery on a large and beautiful property. I will say, even before trying any wine, the best part of the establishment was the in-house Great Dane named Wyatt. He was just minding his business on a chair in front of the fireplace. Safe to say that gentle giant captured all of our hearts from the get-go. After giving Wyatt some much-deserved love, it was time to get some wine. We all ordered flights, and I went with the Foundation Flight which allowed me to choose any 5 wines. I ended up going with a Rosé, Chardonnay, two sweet whites, and a sweet red. Much to my surprise, this sweet wine girl’s favorite wine from the flight was the Chardonnay. After everyone had finished their flights, some of us got a glass of our favorite wine from the flights. When the wine was finally gone, we said goodbye to Wyatt, closed our tabs, and went back to the cabin for dinner. The rest of the night consisted of drinking and playing games, which was a great way to end Day 1.
We might have missed the sunrise on Day 2, but we did start the day with mimosas, so there really wasn’t much to complain about. After breakfast, we all migrated to the living room where we spent the rest of the morning engaged in conversation and drank a few more mimosas. A few hours later, lunch was served and afterward, a few people went to take some much-needed naps. Those of us who chose to stay away remained in the living room and either watched TV or played on our phones. When people started waking up, we decided to hike at Elk Run Trail, which was much shorter and flatter than the one we took the day before. After the hike, we returned to the cabin and headed out to dinner. We chose to eat dinner at Base Camp Umbrella Bar, one of the restaurants at the Massanutten Resort. As a bonus, on the way to the restaurant, we saw a large family of deer crossing the road. Obviously, we stopped so that we could admire the animals we see all the time back home and take pictures.
After we got to Base Camp and secured a table big enough for the group, I ordered a fruity drink and the Mountain Burger, which had bacon, a bourbon sauce, onion straws, and jalapeños and cheddar cheese which I chose to remove. After everyone consumed their food, we went to the General Store to pick up snacks and went back to the cabin for movie night. We chose to watch The Spy Who Dumped Me, which I really enjoyed! After the movie ended, I was rather exhausted, so I went to bed while everyone else stayed up for a few more hours swapping stories from their college days.
When the next morning arrived, I got out of bed and started packing. The last morning of vacation is always the worst because that means leaving your relaxing wonderland and returning to reality. After breakfast, my friend and I finished packing and loaded up our car. We were the first to leave because we had the longest drive back. A group picture was taken in front of the giant windows, we said our farewells, and after some help backing the car down Mt. Driveway, we began our journey home, but not before stopping at Starbucks for two giant coffees.
It was sad saying goodbye to everyone, but I was happy because I got to spend the weekend with some great people and make some new friends. The trip also gave me the reset that I was seeking, leaving my mind, body, and soul feeling renewed. I have always had a special place in my heart for the mountains, and this trip solidified that.
If you ever have the chance to get away for a weekend, no matter the destination, I urge you to take it. I can guarantee you won’t regret it.
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