Tuesday, May 22, 2018

On the way home

Firstborn grandson is 8 (eight)? Really? When did all this happen?
We celebrated and had as always a great time. You know all about it if you read the previous blog.
He is all week in school so Tuesday morning we left. Alarm went off at 5 am.

We were ready and in the car before 6 am and did our usual routine. First say a prayer, drive for 2 1/2 hours, stop at Strawberry Plains for a senior coffee and a sausage muffin from the value menu (don't laugh we usually don't eat breakfast at all).

The trip back this time was a bit complicated because we were not going all the way, but wanted to see good friends the next day who had moved away to be closer to their children, which was “kind off” on the way. I would have liked to end the driving day by visiting the Virginia Quilt Museum. Always wanted to go there. Good thing I decided suddenly to call and make sure we have enough time to see all exhibited. Oh dear, they were closed this week. Change of plans ... we stopped at the Natural Bridge State Park.








We were very surprised about the park and how nice it was. Not what we had expected.


The walk continues past the bridge and there is more to see. But we did not get far. As soon as we reached the native village we heard thunder grumble ... and grumble ... and grumble ... getting louder and the sky darker.




We decided to save it for another time (since we now knew it was well worth it to stop) and retreated. Saw these socks in the gift shop though. It said socks shouldn't match. But if you bought 2 pairs you could change them and have two matching pairs, ha-ha.


We continued the drive and then stopped in Winchester for the night. James found an excellent place with hotels.com and now we have a free night next time we need a hotel.

We walked across the street to an Outback. We have not been in one in a long time. The coconut shrimps were very nice ... as was the beer ...


... and the whole evening.


Next morning we visited our friends in Leesburg. Barbara and Rob are so dear to us. But of course we totally understand that being closer to their son, his wife and their granddaughter is a big improvement. They found a wonderful house with much less yard maintenance. We wish them all the happiness possible. Thanks for lunch in the clubhouse!

On our way home we did well to avoid the terrible DC traffic gridlock but were inundated by terrible downpours. Oh well. We arrived home safely.

PS: This blog was a trial because I have to find a way how to do it on my iPhone or iPad in anticipation of our upcoming vacation. Not taking the computer with me. I was delighted when I figured out that I finally could add photos into a blog on those gadgets. But ... I can't scroll the screen afterwards to add the writing. Lots of complaining about that on the internet and no solution.
???? And so the testing continues (I finished this one finally on the computer).

1 comment:

Kim S. said...

I'm so glad that you got a chance to see Barbara and Rob! I still miss our pew mates!

Do you know that I've lived in VA most of my life and I've never been to Natural Bridge? I always had the idea that it was kind of junky, but it looks beautiful.