Oh Shenandoah, I long to kayak you! So, it's sunny out, the river is peaceful...let's go for it, since we're camping nearby at Shenandoah State Park....

From sunshine to rain as Mike and I put our kayaks in.

Rain finally drove us off the river, but as soon as we deflated the 'yaks, it stopped, of course.

I dunno, there's just something about kayaking in a gentle fall rain on the Shenandoah River that brings out the romance in me!

October in Va. & DC, Con't.

This is the classic view of the Blue Ridge Parkway with it's fall colors and stone arches. We traveled it this fall to visit Luray, the Shenandoah National Park and eventually, DC.

This is David Breneman, Carillonneur for the Luray Tower and these are the bells he plays.....

...and these are the bells I usually play....

Have you hugged your bell today? Seriously, since he was kind enough to take us up in the tower, I wanted to get as close as I could to the bells. I discovered if I tapped this monster like a trill and pressed my ear against it, I could hear it resonate, low and deep. And what a view of the countryside!

David gave us a personal concert, using both fists and feet to create dynamics with these multi-sized bells. Scroll down and notice I play with my fingers...chicken!

Not only does he play, he knows how to maintain this gi-normous instrument!

Those of you who know me well understand that I am a fan of bells....any kind and all sizes, so I was thrilled when David gave me a shot at playing the Luray Carillon. Of course, it was nerve-wracking, as the whole town hears one's mistakes....

In Luray, VA., the biggest draw are the Luray Caverns, which indeed have some of the finest specimens of 'draping' I've ever seen and I come from Ky. - cave country to the max!

The views from the Blue Ridge Parkway in the fall are spectacular and we lucked out with perfect weather for camping and leaf-looking.