Before I start on today’s adventures, we want to thank Lize (and, of course, our web master, Pete Giorgio!)for helping us figure out how to post a comment on the blog; she’s not at all as idiotic as the comments sounded!!! WE were the idiots trying to maneuver our way through the website!!! Thanks, Lize; hope Ed’s not still ailing!
When we arrived yesterday in Alexandria, the weather was beautiful: blue sky, full sun, 50 degrees with the daffodils and crocuses almost in bloom.
We left this morning just before 7 (it was cold!! 32 degrees!) Headed south to Charlottesville and took I64W (past Crozet, VA, Matt’s old stomping grounds!) to the Blue Ridge Parkway. We traveled on the Parkway for about 50 miles, saw one parked car and one motorcycle! Prior to today we had traveled the Skyline Drive to Charlottesville but had never gone beyond that. First of all, the Blue Ridge is FREE!!! Skyline costs $10 per car!!! Anyway it was a beautiful day, temperature in the 50s in the valleys (a little colder as we climbed to 3000 feet!)
At the lowest point in the park the temp rose to 58 so we decided to put the top down and take a little detour along the James River to Natural Bridge 15 miles away. One of our guide books says that it is one of the “Seven Natural Wonders of the World!” Check it out at http://www.naturalbridgeva.com/. It really is magnificent although Peter says that I will find that it pales when viewing the Grand Canyon. And the area is privately owned and pretty honky-tonk. Costs $11 each (with AAA discount!) and the tickets are sold in a HUGE souvenir shop! But the sight of the bridge is something else; 90 feet long and 215 feet high you walk under it and see George Washington’s initials that he carved into the stone as he was surveying the area as a young man.
We hiked a two mile round trip trail to Lace Falls where we had a picnic lunch and lounged in the sun watching the Falls and Cedar Creek. A couple approached the Falls and we started to chat about the area, the Falls, etc. After more chit-chat we discovered that he’s in the Coast Guard. Peter asked him if he knew Rick Larrabee. He replied, “You mean the Flag Officer, Admiral Larrabee?” Seems he doesn’t know Rick but does know OF him. He continued to tell us how he wishes Admiral Larrabee was still in the CG and in what high respect Admiral Larrabee is held. How about “6 degrees of separation?”…… Commander Gary Bruce, XO on the Coast Guard Tracer in Yorktown.
By now, it was 2:30 so we really had to boogey if we were going to make Asheville NC before nightfall. Top up at 3:30 and we continued to proceed through southwest Virginia, into Tennessee and on into North Carolina. Drove through some beautiful country: rolling farms, soaring mountains especially the Great Smokys in Tennessee/North Carolina. Checked into our motel, ate dinner, wrote the blog (didn’t take quite as long as last night) and made plans to meet Becca, a friend of Mim and Tony’s for coffee in the morning.
Today’s picture is actually from the end of our trip yesterday……….Where and what is it?
I want to thank everyone for their posts on yesterdays blog………Pam-I did bring duct tape in case I have to tape my mouth so I don’t say anything that will get me in trouble….seven weeks is a long time and it’s a small car…..Mike-Mom took the picture that way purposely to make it harder to guess and I WAS going the speed limit…Billy-you’re close.. it is near a sports complex…Kathy-don’t you know what goes on at truck stops?…..Suz-WE passed only three cars….Sharon-The pic IS in the New York area—so far you’re the closest ….Mame- the letters SOP have a lot to do with it. I thought my brother John would be the first to get it. Mim…thanks for the hook-up.
When we arrived yesterday in Alexandria, the weather was beautiful: blue sky, full sun, 50 degrees with the daffodils and crocuses almost in bloom.
We left this morning just before 7 (it was cold!! 32 degrees!) Headed south to Charlottesville and took I64W (past Crozet, VA, Matt’s old stomping grounds!) to the Blue Ridge Parkway. We traveled on the Parkway for about 50 miles, saw one parked car and one motorcycle! Prior to today we had traveled the Skyline Drive to Charlottesville but had never gone beyond that. First of all, the Blue Ridge is FREE!!! Skyline costs $10 per car!!! Anyway it was a beautiful day, temperature in the 50s in the valleys (a little colder as we climbed to 3000 feet!)
At the lowest point in the park the temp rose to 58 so we decided to put the top down and take a little detour along the James River to Natural Bridge 15 miles away. One of our guide books says that it is one of the “Seven Natural Wonders of the World!” Check it out at http://www.naturalbridgeva.com/. It really is magnificent although Peter says that I will find that it pales when viewing the Grand Canyon. And the area is privately owned and pretty honky-tonk. Costs $11 each (with AAA discount!) and the tickets are sold in a HUGE souvenir shop! But the sight of the bridge is something else; 90 feet long and 215 feet high you walk under it and see George Washington’s initials that he carved into the stone as he was surveying the area as a young man.
We hiked a two mile round trip trail to Lace Falls where we had a picnic lunch and lounged in the sun watching the Falls and Cedar Creek. A couple approached the Falls and we started to chat about the area, the Falls, etc. After more chit-chat we discovered that he’s in the Coast Guard. Peter asked him if he knew Rick Larrabee. He replied, “You mean the Flag Officer, Admiral Larrabee?” Seems he doesn’t know Rick but does know OF him. He continued to tell us how he wishes Admiral Larrabee was still in the CG and in what high respect Admiral Larrabee is held. How about “6 degrees of separation?”…… Commander Gary Bruce, XO on the Coast Guard Tracer in Yorktown.
By now, it was 2:30 so we really had to boogey if we were going to make Asheville NC before nightfall. Top up at 3:30 and we continued to proceed through southwest Virginia, into Tennessee and on into North Carolina. Drove through some beautiful country: rolling farms, soaring mountains especially the Great Smokys in Tennessee/North Carolina. Checked into our motel, ate dinner, wrote the blog (didn’t take quite as long as last night) and made plans to meet Becca, a friend of Mim and Tony’s for coffee in the morning.
Today’s picture is actually from the end of our trip yesterday……….Where and what is it?
I want to thank everyone for their posts on yesterdays blog………Pam-I did bring duct tape in case I have to tape my mouth so I don’t say anything that will get me in trouble….seven weeks is a long time and it’s a small car…..Mike-Mom took the picture that way purposely to make it harder to guess and I WAS going the speed limit…Billy-you’re close.. it is near a sports complex…Kathy-don’t you know what goes on at truck stops?…..Suz-WE passed only three cars….Sharon-The pic IS in the New York area—so far you’re the closest ….Mame- the letters SOP have a lot to do with it. I thought my brother John would be the first to get it. Mim…thanks for the hook-up.
9 comments:
Sounds like an adventure! How cool to be so connected, yet free to wander! The picture from day 1 is it near Yankee Stadium -the new one? Loved reading the blog, keep up the good work. How many hours do you drive each day? ~enjoy!
Fuzzy & Sally
Connie, thanks for sharing your adventure. This is great! Never heard of the Natural Bridge but do know that no matter where you go, you are likely to run into a Coastie. I will have to look up CDR Bruce.
When does Pete get to write?
Connie and Peter,
A word from your email marriage counselor. Hope all is well. No duct tape--this trip is all about getting it all out. You have a captive audience in one another--good luck. I will be available for online therapy if necessary.
Lize LPC
I know the answer, I'm not telling. Feeling better. Give me the call if the need arises for legal advice. But remember, you get what you pay for.
Ed
Sounds like you guys are having fun! I know this picture, too...not sure what I think about it in person...it's kind of BIG...Pete III would like it I'm sure!
Hi Connie and Peter..
Whata great idea.. Your brother John is trying to figure out the location in the picture. He will have an answer by the end of the day.
Meri told me today that when she would visit Tom (prior to marriage) when he was living in No. Carolina, they went to a HUGE ESTATE near the Blue Hills. She said it was a place that was beyond description - but, unfortunely, she couldn't remember the name. So, if you come across a gorgeous ESTATE - that's it!
By the way, I'm going to see the house next to John's old home which we spoke about last summer.
Happy Trails!
The great aventure is underway... the picture looks to be the new Air Force Memorial south of the Pentagon in Arlington? As you head further south, you might need some translation help -- the plural of "you all" is "all you all".
All the best to "you all", Randy
The great aventure is underway... the picture looks to be the new Air Force Memorial south of the Pentagon in Arlington? As you head further south, you might need some translation help -- the plural of "you all" is "all you all".
All the best to "you all", Randy
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