(Ahem.) 1-year anniversary.

I know, I know – my friends who’ve been married for ages will think it’s “cute,” but one year dating is a pretty big deal! Paul and I took a romantic weekend trip to the Peaks of Otter, a beautiful mountain resort in Virginia. We took a couple of walks around a scenic lake, and a lovely hike up a nice mountain path, past an antique farmstead, and over a crystal-clear stream.

And then there was the other hike…

I didn’t see otters anywhere, but they’re not kidding about the “peaks.” We went up “Sharp Top” early one morning… or rather, we started up. It was beautiful weather – sunny but cool. The path grew steeper and rockier until it became a climbing, winding, spiral stair of stone. The mist created a magical effect, and I kept expecting to see hobbits around every turn. We rested on mossy ledges to enjoy some peanuts and a bottle of water. We went up for about an hour and then decided we were probably “at the top,” turned around, and went back to the lodge for breakfast. And we didn’t actually get in a fight, even though Paul was (clearly insane to think we could climb up there before breakfast) and I was (being a complete bitch). Once I’d had breakfast I was much more charming, and Paul is unfailingly sweet.

And it was really, really beautiful. I’d love to go back there – I kept fantasizing about having it as a regular place to take family holidays, with kids…

I didn’t take photos because we were much too busy enjoying ourselves, and mountains never look the same in a photo. But here’s where it is…