Luray, VA: June 6-8, 2024 - In Which I Attend the Wedding of My Dear Friend, Clayford

I returned to Shenandoah National Park just a month shy of four years after my first visit in order to attend the wedding of my dear friend, Clayford.

Clay is in the military as you all know, and he and his now wife are both fairly active people.  Thus, the wedding was a smaller, simpler affair in a nature-heavy environment that was a beautiful as it was endearing.

I arrived on Thursday evening, and by sheer chance showed up at the Skyland Lodge barely 15 minutes after Clay & Valerie:

We were the only three staying at the lodge; the other dozen or so guests opted for an AirBnB or the like down off the mountain in the nearby town of Luray.  I remember driving by the lodge on my last trip, and I have to say that after having experienced this park once as a single-day, mad dash kind of visit, it was really great to just be in the park for a stretch and soak it in.  It did add to the cost, though, but hey!  That's fine.

Valerie's parents joined us for a dinner at lodge, then we went out to a short hike that functioned as a kind of preview of the days to come.

See, I have to run you through the schedule.  Friday, which was not the wedding day, was to include several "bigger" hikes for those that wanted to participate, then Saturday, the wedding day, included a sunrise hike with photos, a late morning outdoor ceremony, followed by photos and brunch.  Definitely not the traditional fare, but it was precisely what they both wanted.

The hike we did Thursday evening was the same one that was slated for the Saturday sunrise, but C & V were well aware not everyone would be up for that, so it was nice to have her parents see the overlook where that dawn photoshoot would take place:

I don't know the science behind it, but the sun kept doing this crazy thing as we were taking photos of it where it appeared to be gigantic in the western sky:

Probably just a lens flare.

The next morning, we ate breakfast at the lodge then met up with a few more wedding attendees for the first of two hikes.  We were heading up the trail to Hawksbill, which if you re-read the previous Shenandoah post, you will know is the trail that almost killed me, and that was me four years younger!

Somehow it wasn't nearly as bad this time, and we made it to the summit no worse for wear:

Back at the bottom, near the parking lot, I was informed that hike #2 might be a little more strenuous, and was I sure I wanted to go?  Never one to think deeply or make wise decisions, I of course agreed that yes, I was in!

Two other people who went to Hawksbill bowed out.  I think they made the right choice.

This next trail, which I don't remember the name of, was identified as "Most Strenuous" on the sign next to its entrance, and proceeded to descend what I would later find out was over 2,100 feet from the start, down to a fun little sliding rock area:

That part wasn't bad, of course.  It was the return back up, about an hour and a half of just steady, significant ascent.  I think my brain may have started to shut down my faculties because I actually got something of a second wind halfway back up, and finished the hike feeling pretty good!  But the aches and pains that showed up days later told the true story.

Back at the lodge restaurant, over a gloriously substantial lunch, I asked Clay & Valerie if the hike was that bad for either of them.  Clay shook his head.

"Nah".

"Okay.  Because for me, that like, changed my life."

I went catatonic for most of the afternoon before a journey off the mountain into town for a fancy dinner at the Chophouse:

Those who know me know I love steakhouse mashed potatoes, and these were exquisite.

The next morning, Clay & Valerie got up to begin their hike at 5am, intending to spend the early hours at a photo shoot with the beautiful sunrise backdrop.  Guests could join about an hour later if they wished, so I set out about 6:00.

The scenery proved the genius of this idea; never have I seen such breathtaking views:

Yes, they did this hike in their wedding attire.

Iconic.

There was a short break before the ceremony at Pass Mountain Overlook, which was succinct and beautiful:

Brunch followed, and then everyone was free to head out - no crazy reception or afterparty.  And with a 6-or-so hour drive in front of me, that sounded just fine.