Skyline Ranch Resort - May 11-13, 2018

The Winchester area has always been one we've struggled to enjoy as a destination.  It's a great venue for agility, but the lodging has been lackluster.  Normally we stay at Candy Hill with the RV, but we don't enjoy it.  The campground is an easy-in, easy-out, right off the interstate. That is the only positive.  Forget about late check-out - they nickel and dime you for every minute.  Once we left 15 minutes late, but didn't worry about it until a young kid started chasing our RV on foot to retrieve the $2.00 owed for being late.   As far as the campground amenities and aesthetics, there isn't much to speak of.
This trip, we decided to try somewhere different - Skyline Ranch Resort.  It was a significant improvement in primarily location.  The views of the skyline are breathtaking.  We stayed in site 132 (the row 130-132 is easy to get set up and rather level, but there isn't any shade).  There is another row on the other side, specifically site 23, that is shaded and has a good view of the skyline.  We will try and reserve site #23 next time.  The only negative - the campground is 35 minutes from the trial, but a beautiful drive.  Besides, we are always driving the 30 minutes somewhere away from the Candy Hill/Winchester area to walk the dogs.
The Shenandoah River State Park is about 20 minutes away.  Breathtaking views and they have a nice campground as well. 

View from Overlook

We walked the dogs through the campground and then found a nice trail along the river that is easy for strollers.  It is a flat crushed gravel path that runs along the river - appropriately named  River Trail. 





There are other trails we never got the chance to really explore as they aren't stroller friendly, but are great for hiking and biking.  Next time we might have to consider bringing our mountain and hybrid bikes. That said, it was nice to ride along the roads and take in the scenery, although the hills aren't for the faint of heart.  I rode in the park one day and then Russ and I went out on the roads right out of the campground - passed horse pastures and quaint homes.

On Saturday evening - a really hot day at 92 degrees, the only thing we could do with the dogs was to take them inside somewhere.  The only place we knew we could do that is Barrel Oak Winery.  At first we sat outside, but Logan started panting so we went inside.  The dogs all did wonderfully.  Logan relaxed in his stroller and occasionally begged for treats, Frye took all opportunities to get petted by others, Cadia stood on guard, Braddock just kind of hung out waiting for treats, and Gracie was surprisingly very good, lying down and staying out of trouble.  Our plan was to get the wood fired pizza, but we were too late arriving for the pizza on site, and then when I tried to order for delivery from Joe's Pizza they never showed up.  So we ended up getting a baguette and cheeses.  Pizza obviously wasn't in the cards for us tonight.