May 9, 2013 - Charlottesville VA

We started the day under a light sprinkle and gray skies but within a couple hours a strange orange orb popped over the trees in front of a bright azure background. Since we hadn’t seen the pair together in a few days we were a little confused, but we asked around and the locals assured us that it was OK, but to not get too used to it – they say more rain is coming this weekend. We left the bus around 10:15 for the 15 minute trip to Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson. We watched a short movie about the property and strolled through a...

May 8, 2013 - Charlottesville VA

Rain, rain, go away…and it finally did about 6:00. Of course, we got home about 6:30 which – for those of you that are good at details – means we spent most of the day in it. We left here about 10:30 and had planned to head to Staunton VA to wander around but on the way we figured that since we were only a couple miles from Shenandoah National Park - and since we try to hit as many national parks as possible - we detoured into the park. While it was a good idea, it turned sour pretty quickly. We stopped at the gate and renewed our Annual...

May 7, 2013 - Charlottesville VA

It was not a pleasant drive across the Commonwealth of Virginia today. Well, part of it was, but the afternoon was not. We left the Rifrafters Campground in Fayetteville just a bit after 9:00 and headed back south on US 19, then east on I-64 till it merged with I-77 which we took into Wytheville VA, then NE on I-81 till we caught back up with I-64 which we took east for a bit to VA 20 and down to our current spot in the woods just SW of Charlottesville VA. We could have made it in a straight shot on I-64 to Charlottesville, but we detoured...

May 2, 2013 - Revisiting the Land of Jefferson

We started our trip today by heading back toward Danville to stop at the American Armored Foundation Tank Museum that we passed yesterday. It turns out that it is the largest collection of Tank and Cavalry artifacts found anywhere in the world (self-proclaimed). The museum was founded in 1981 by William Gasser on Long Island. In 1999 the contents were moved to the prsent location, a 330,000 sq. ft. former maufacturing plant. The foundation that runs it was certified by the U.S. Government and the Center of Military History to receive...

Oct 22, 2012 - Charlottesville, Va.

DAY 30 BUCKET LIST TOUR MIDWEST Stopped in Charlottesville, Virginia. To see Mom's old friend, Martha. She went to elementary school with Dawn and they have kept in touch since. She was also a bridesmaid in our wedding 48 years ago. Had a late lunch with her and visited for a few hours. Then hit the road agin to Ashland, Va. To spend one night on our way to Virginia Beach.

Sep 19, 2012 - Charlottesville, VA

Did you guess where we're headed? We're on our way to VACAY! And we drove about 270 miles to Crozet, VA (by Charlottesville) to spend two nights at Misty Mountain RV Park. We've stayed here before so we could tour the area. It's a nice park and in a good location for our needs. The reason for the extra day was so that we could have lunch at The Michie Tavern. Their lunch buffet is absolutely wonderful! Michie Tavern has been around since 1784, serving as a central meeting place for both social and political meetings. As you sit in the old...

Jul 5, 2012 - Visiting Udvar-Hazy Smithsonian Air and Space

We slept in a little this morning after our late night, then had our free breakfast. After breakfast, we packed up and headed to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, which is part of the Smithsonian. When we got there, Sue realized she did not have her wallet and we made a hasty trip back to the hotel where the wallet was found and we returned to the Air and Space Center. The Smithsonian has many more pieces than it can display at the National Air and Space Museum so this center was created with hefty donations from Udvar-Hazy. On display is an...

Jul 4, 2012 - Fourth Of July in D.C.

We left the Hinzmans' mid-morning and headed for Fairfax where we would spend the night at the Hyatt. Our room was wonderful and with AAA we got free breakfast and a room rate of $71/nt. It is a great location (about 15 minutes from the metro) and would be a wonderful base for visiting Washington, D.C. and surrounding area. After checking into the hotel and doing some computer work (so nice to have 4G), we headed out to lunch then to the metro for our ride into Washington, D.C. When we got to the Washington Mall, the crowds were already...

Jul 3, 2012 - Visiting the Hinzmans

We got an early start again today for the two hour drive to Manassas to visit Bill and Melanie Hinzman. Luckily Lenny, Jody and the boys were also there. We all went out to lunch then spent the remainder of the day visiting around the pool. It was great to see everyone. Bill and Melanie's home is beautiful inside and out. We had a wonderful time there.

Jul 2, 2012 - Natural Bridge, Lexington, Staunton

We got an early start so that we would be at Natural Bridge ahead of the heat. It is quite a sight. Taller than Niagra Falls it was once second only to the falls as natural wonders in the U.S. In the early 1700's, Thomas Jefferson paid the King of England twenty schillings (about $2.40) to purchase the bridge and 150 surrounding acres. Legend has it that George Washington surveyed the area and carved his initials about 23feet up the wall. That cannot be confirmed. Leaving the Natural Bridge, we headed to Lexington, a charming town...

Jul 1, 2012 - The Presidents' Houses

Today, still without power, we headed out to visit Monticello and Ash Lawn-Highlands the homes of Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe. Monticello is grand but has more simple furnishings. Being the intellect and reader that he was, there are all the latest conveniences of the time. There are many clocks since he was adamant about not wasting time. Several beds are in alcoves to conserve space. Jefferson's own bed is in a thick wall between two rooms. Where most southern kitchens of the time were away from the main building, Jefferson found a...

Jun 30, 2012 - Touring Louray Caverns and Skyline Drive

This morning we woke to a battle zone. There were leaves and small branches everywhere. A tree had fallen between our RV and the one around the corner and worse, about one hundred yards from us a larger tree had fallen across a motorhome. Fortunately, no one was hurt. There were trees down everywhere and naturally there was no power. We took off. Our first stop in the town of Staunton, was for breakfast. We found a restaurant called Mrs. Rowe's and since that is Sue's family name decided to stop there. The place was packed but since there...