Friday September 2, 2016

We left Lancaster County Pennsylvania around 9:00 AM.  It was 59 when we woke up and 67 be the time we left.  We could not stay because they were booked for the Labor Day weekend.  We got really lucky and got a site in Virginia for the weekend.  Someone had just cancelled when I called last week.Wonderful bridges crossing the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania.Passed by Middlesex.Wonderful farms along the highway.Went through Maryland for 8 miles.Drove through West Virginia for 24 miles.This large cross along the interstate was very cool. People can be so creative.261 miles, 5 hours later, we arrived at Staunton/Walnut Hills KOA. This is a family owned campground that hires Workampers for the season.We really like this park. Our site is #68  The sites are long and level. 50 amp, water and sewer.  Cable was not very good and the internet was very slow.  The water pressure changed throughout the day.  The new owners are working on get a pump station on top of the hill to help with that.Even though it was not perfect, it worked for us and we enjoyed it.There is a pond down there.A very nice couple did take this spot for the weekend, but we didn’t care.The pull through sites are very long.  The back in sites have a better view.No big trees or boulders to get in your way.  Some of the reviews mentioned a very steep hill.  I found it while walking and it was steep.Just don’t take sites 107 – 111.  But it was not that bad getting to our site on top of the ridge.  Everyone was so friendly here.Down on the lower level, there is a very nice pond and camp sites all around it.  We liked being up on the ridge.We had a visitor at our site.He just sat there a while, then moved under the pile of camp fire wood.We had a nice campfire and one of the neighbors came over and offered us some Peach Moonshine.  It was probably some of the best tasting moonshine I have ever had.  These people are really friendly, like I said.Then we were graced with a beautiful sunset.We feel so relieved to have a nice camp site for the holiday weekend.

Saturday September 3, 2016A trip to Central Virginia is not complete without a visit to Monticello.  Thomas Jefferson’s home on the hill. Construction began in 1769 and he continued to design and re-design for the next 40 years.  It was a 45 minute drive from Staunton.  The views from his hill are wonderful.They give house tours every 15 minutes from 9:45 – 4:30. This does not leave very much time for each tour.I had come here several years ago and loved the tour.  This time was not as nice.  I think they are trying to get too many people through and don’t give you nearly as much information as they used to.And for $25.00 a ticket, I was really looking for more.No pictures were allowed inside, so I only have exterior photos.There were beautiful flowers everywhere.Jefferson’s wife, Martha, died in 1782.  They were only married for 10 years before Martha died.  They had 6 children together, but only 2 daughters survived to adulthood and only one past the age of 25.  Martha only lived 4 months after the birth of their last child.It is a very lovely place with so much history.  Jefferson was an amazing man.  He loved architecture and gardening.  He recorded the weather everyday while at Monticello.Jefferson died on July 4, 1826 and was over $100,000 in debt, mostly because he inherited his father-in-laws debt. It was not an easy life for the author of the Declaration of Independence.

Labor Day, September 5, 2016We thought it was a good day for a drive. Shenandoah National Park. Skyline Drive105 miles of beauty.  Speed limit is 35 mph.Hugh valleys with wonderful views.75 Overlooks along Skyline Drive.We only drove less than half way and each overlook was different.Small lakes throughout the valley.Beautiful rolling hills.101 miles of the Appalachian Trial pass through the Shenandoah National Park.  The A.T. is 2,180 miles, passes through 14 states, 5 National Parks, 7 National Forests, and numerous state parks and towns between Georgia and Maine.Ivy Creek 1.4, Pinefield Gap 1.9, Ivy Creek Spring 2.2 and Simmons Gap 3.3Another beautiful overlook.Even some wildlife.Sorry it is so blurring, but this deer was moving fast.A wonderful barn on the way back to Staunton.An awesome home in downtown Staunton.We were told that Kathy’s was the best in town, and it was wonderful.Being Labor Day, we got lucky that they were open.  They close at 2:00 and we got there about 1:30.Saw this marker outside that Staunton is the Birthplace of Woodrow Wilson, 28th President.  He was born here December 28, 1856.

Moving on tomorrow to be closer to my Dad.  I get to see him for a few days. I can’t wait. Safe travels to everyone.