*This post is a little shorter than I’d initially planned. I had my second COVID vaccination yesterday, and today I’m feeling a bit under the weather. (It was worth it. I’d do it again. I’m so grateful and relieved and happy and hopeful, and I can’t wait to hug my vaccinated friends and family. I’ve missed hugs.) Now, with that out of the way…*
I’d mentioned in a previous post that we want to do more hiking and get outside more this year, and I’ve featured one of our hikes already. Here’s another.
On Saturday, we pulled ourselves out of bed at 7:30 in the rainy, foggy morning, and made our way to a beautiful hidden gem.
I suppose there are lots of people in the area who’ve visited Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve before, but I honestly had no idea it existed. I’m so happy that’s changed!
It’s an amazing, quiet place with lots of native flora. I kept having to stop and take pictures. It was just so lovely.
It’s bluebell season here in Virginia, and I can’t get enough of it. They’re so vibrant – purple when they’re young, and then their signature color as they grow and bloom.
The hike itself was low-key and easy. The rolling hills weren’t difficult to manage at all, and the scenery was distracting enough that I probably wouldn’t have noticed anyway.
Next time, I think we’re going to try something a little more challenging, but for now, I’m so happy to know this place exists, and I absolutely plan to go back.
A Virginia Writer's Diary 
It is indeed beautiful! We enjoyed the wee bit of Virginia we saw on our way to Pennsylvania in 2016.
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You would have driven on I-81, right? It’s a pretty stretch of highway, through the Shenandoah Valley. If you ever find yourself up here again, I’m happy to show you some of my favorite places!
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I would have to look at the route to know which way. We stopped at several places going up and back. I will take you up on it once we can travel that way again!
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Wow, it’s like a carpet of blue flowers in that picture, fabulous!😃😺
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Right? It’s like something out of a fairy tale!
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Yes, good way to describe it!
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Gorgeous surroundings near you. Thank you for sharing. 💖
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I feel really lucky to live in such a beautiful area. 🙂 I never forget just how nice it is, but sometimes it’s good to be reminded, nonetheless.
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The Sonoran Desert, where I live, has its own beauty, but I love seeing (in photos and in real time) lush green landscapes, so thank you. 🙏🏻
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Very beautiful 😍 ❤
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Yes, it really was! Such a perfect way to spend a morning.
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Wow – so beautiful! I was just thinking the other day that I should go out more in nature.
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I find I’m loving spring a little extra this year. 🙂 I’m a winter person, but all the blossoms and the warm weather and the green growing on the trees are just really getting to me, in the best way.
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Same – I spend my car ride to work every day just staring at all the flowers blossoming across my city – it just warms my heart – IDK why. Though it is getting hotter – and I am NOT looking forward to summers!
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I’m trying not to think about the summer heat. I, too, am not a fan.
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Your words express the beautiful pictures. And I wish I would be there with you to observe and enjoy it.
What do you call it?? Oh yes! Bluebell season.
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If you ever find yourself in Virginia, I would be more than happy to show you around some of the beautiful places I’ve come to love. 🙂 Every season is pretty here, especially the fall when the leaves turn golden, but the blossoms in spring are truly special.
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It is like a dream. I want to understand western culture.
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Ah great to see the hiking bug is grabbing you.
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It really is! I can’t seem to get enough of being outside in nature these days, and I don’t mind. 🙂
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I’m delighted.
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I enjoy reading your posts! 😊
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Thank you! It makes me happy to hear that. 🙂
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Hope you are feeling better. Such a wonderful place ❤ thank you for sharing!
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Thanks for reading! We’ve been thinking about going back to see what it looks like in the fall. I’m sure it’ll be beautiful with the leaves changing!
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