As most of you know, we took some vacation time and made the trip to SF part of a vacation. We left here (MA) the weekend before SF, and checked out the beautiful state of VA.

First stop WV for a BBQ by mid-A member WhrDLMI/Jeff and Bobbie. It's true, offer free food and people show up.


Our hosts, Jeff & Bobbie


This is Dominick/revs2k. He made a trip to MA in January and we organized a little dinner for him. He calls me his MA Mom!


Proof that we drove from MA to WV for a cookout. That's the front plate from our car.


Saw a lot of these trees on the way down. Very pretty

Day 2 Skyline Drive






Bell tower/carillon across from Luray Caverns



There was a recital on Sunday. We listened for a while. Rick described it as "15 minutes of my life that I won't get back."
A carillon (Dutch: beiaard) is a musical instrument composed of at least 23 cup-shaped bells played from a baton keyboard using fists and feet (such an instrument with fewer than this number of bells is known as a chime). Carillon bells are made of bell bronze, approximately 78% copper and 22% tin. Carillons are normally housed in bell towers. The carillon has the widest dynamic range of any mechanical (non-electric) musical instrument.

Luray Caverns

 

And more:


Neat car parked in front of Luray Caverns. A Packard, I think?

Next stop was Front Royal VA, and more of the Skyline Drive on our way to Lynchburg/Val Country








Lots of deer on Skyline Drive. They don't have much fear. Rick kept pretty much to the speed limit. Deer and an S2000 aren't a good mix.







Above couple of views of the tunnel on Skyline Drive

Next up: Appomattox. At Appomattox, we were met by Valentine for a guided tour. She lives near there and grew up there. We enjoyed her company and appreciated her knowledge of the area. After Appomattox, we went to a nice little country restaurant for lunch and some local flavor. Thanks, Val!






Tried out the jail.....no thanks! I didn't see a bathroom or a shower.


Rick trying out a new career.

 

Day??? Losing track:

OK. The Natural Bridge and Monticello









Lunch was here:



If buildings bore you, look no more.


We went on a walking tour of Staunton, VA. Neat buildings, lots of history behind them. We walked around for quite some time, then had lunch at The Depot, an old train depot. We had dinner there the night before an it was very good.

















A few more including the "wharf area" and a view of the city from walkway above the railroad tracks.















A very BUGGY car upon arrival, after 14+ hours on the road



And our new "help" in the garden. We think he'll do a fine job.



The end!

It was a great road trip. Hope to do another one next spring or fall.

 

Gee Lain, you guys really packed a lot into this vacation. Great pictures. Now I'm sorry I didn't, stay on the SD a little longer. There's so much to see in this area, in fact, in this country. Thanks for sharing. I'll know who to contact the next time I want to go exploring in my area.

 

Lainey, our Sat night DJ was from Staunton. Love the Victorian buildings.

 

Awwwwwww, he looks so cute peeping out of those beautiful tulips!!! I just LOVE little gnomes!!

 

This is a Travisty!

Great pic's Lainey!

 

Lainey thanks for the great pics.

I must admit the pic of Appomattox still sends shivers down the spine of us southern boys!!
There are still some communities here in Tennessee that haven't heard the Civil War is over and that we lost!

We believe we can take you yankees in the rematch!!!!

 

Looks like you guys had a great time. I am having flashbacks of the speeding ticket on Skyline Dr. now!!!

 

We heard from a "reliable source" that General Robert E Lee's name is often whispered. He is still revered.

I'm hoping there will be no re-match.