Vacation Post 2

Our family traveled to Ivanhoe, VA for a vacation during the first week of June. (Click here to read the previous post about our vacation!) I wanted to plan something special for all of us to do together. I LOVE white water rafting. But...white water rafting isn't the most family friendly activity. At least a family with young children! :) So we did the next best thing. We went tubing down the New River. I found THE BEST company to accommodate our family. I'm serious. Hands down, the best activity to suit the needs of our family.  Let me tell you a little bit about Mr. Paul and New Rivers Edge. Paul owns a cabin right on the New River. While we were driving there, I was pretty sure Ian and I were leading our family into a scene straight from a horror film. Our GPS took us a crazy route. We ended up driving on crazy backroads part of the way!! But we finally made it to Paul's cabin in the woods on the river. The view was breathtaking! 

The cabin is not one that would suit the needs of our family for a week long vacation. It's rustic...but has lots of beds, bathrooms, kitchen, etc. It would be perfect for a guys weekend trip! Mr. Paul loves sharing everything that the Lord has blessed him with. Ian and I made plans with Paul (unbeknownst to everyone else) to spend the whole afternoon/evening at Paul's cabin. We left our house that morning around 10, packed a lunch which we ate at his covered pavilion as soon as we arrived. Mr. Paul had everything cleaned off for us. The tables were covered with tablecloths. He had an outdoor refrigerator and drink cooler available for us to keep everything cold. There was plenty of space for the kids to run and play. We took our corn hole boards and other things to keep them occupied. Soon after lunch we all took off for our tubing trip! 

Everyone went tubing the first time...even Callie! I think some of our group was a bit nervous, especially since Class 1 rapids were involved! But we drove over a bridge on the way to the drop off point, and Mr. Paul pointed out the rapids we would go over. They were definitely rapids, but nothing our group couldn't handle! He dropped us off at a boat ramp (in the freezing water! It's not really warm in the beginning of June!!) He gave us some instructions and sent us on our way! Everyone survived the rapids and squealed with delight! Well. Except for Charis. She was pretty nervous and cried the whole way. The rapids probably lasted 2 minutes...maybe?? The rest of the float down the river was so relaxing...and beautiful! Too bad I couldn't have taken pictures along the way! Mr. Paul met us at the pick-up point - somewhere on his property. We walked up to the cabin and grounds where he had some water bottles and snacks waiting on us. After a short break, some of us decided we wanted to go again! My dad, who was a little under the weather that day, decided to stay behind. This is the main reason why I say that Paul's set-up at his property is perfect for large groups! If someone didn't want to go tubing down the river, there was plenty they could do at his property while the rest of us were gone. It was so peaceful and relaxing. Some of us ended up going down the river three times! It took about 30-40 minutes each float down the river. We had a blast every single time!

  Ian and I made plans with Mr. Paul before we arrived for him to grill some burgers and hot dogs for us that evening. He went all out! He included all the fixings and sides! It was perfect. We didn't have to worry about a thing, and he treated us like we were his special guests and family. We had plenty of time for games, resting, relaxing, and just being together all day long. It was perfect for us.   Following dinner, he made a bonfire. He had everything we needed to make smores on the fire. While we all sat around the fire, he gave us a brief history on the New River -- just his way of sharing his love and nature and creation with his guests! What a fun way to end the day!!