We headed north from Bryson City, NC, and continued our Airstream Journey along Route 81, towards the Shenandoah Valley. The landscape as we entered Virginia is much more pastoral in the mountains. Instead of steep mountain roads, Route 81 skirts the Blue Ridge to the east and the Alleghenies to the west. In NC, the steep roads that twisted and turned through the mountains made me nervous; I could enjoy the views in Virginia. We spent two nights at the Shenandoah Valley Campground, a nice campground we recommend.
Shenandoah
When I lived in the DC Metropolitan Area from 1986 to 1996, I often came to this area to play golf. Yes, I played golf back then; I almost made a hole-in-one on the tournament’s final hole at the Shenandoah Valley Golf Club. The last hole has an elevated tee, and my ball landed an inch from the hole! Oh well, it was an awesome day and a great memory.
On this visit, we spent several hours hunting through the Factory Antique Mall, rumored to be the largest antique shop in America. We scored some treasures Bill, and I will use in our art projects. For just $3.00, I bought a box of old sheet music that might become part of some interesting mixed media paintings. Among other items, Bill found a Wooden Guiro, a percussion instrument similar to one he made into a lamp for our friend Becky years ago.
We joined the other campers bumping along the river that afternoon for an hour. The water was low due to a lack of rain, and I kept getting stuck on big and small rocks and bumping into the small sharp rocks. It was fun, but I don’t have a lot of padding, so I’m not sure that more tubing is in my future.
Route 66
Our next stop was College Park, Maryland, and we took Route 66. We passed Oakton, Virginia, where I lived over 35 years ago. With all the new road construction, overpasses, and congestion, I hardly recognized it. Our timing was good, and we made it to and around the Beltway to College Park and Cherry Hill RV Park without incident. What a nice campground! It has been family-owned since 1921, and it shows. The park is lovely, and trees provide shade and privacy, despite being located just off the Beltway. Buses take you to the College Park Metro for easy access into Washington, DC.
College Park
Our friends, Jim and Nancy, have lived in College Park for many years and just completed a major renovation on their home. They plan to stay here, and I can understand why. It’s the kind of neighborhood that appeals to Bill and me, a real community in a real town rather than a gated community out in the burbs. They can walk to everything, including the Community Park where we went to play Pickleball. By the way, that’s how we met Jim and Nancy, playing Pickleball in Key Largo. After dinner, Jim taught Bill and me how to play bocce. Yes, they have a bocce court in their backyard!
Stormy Weather
We had a metal roof on our Active Adults Realty office in Lewes, and I remember the racket it made during rain storms. Well, the Airstream is like living inside a metal roof, and the noise during a storm will keep you awake. It poured hard, but luckily it was not windy, so the awning didn’t blow off! And, it did not hail, so we do not have those pock marks I have seen on other Airstreams.
DC 4th of July
The weather was perfect for a Fourth of July on the Washington Mall. We headed down late afternoon, taking the Metro Bus from the RV Park to the Metro into DC. We carried our small collapsible chairs, umbrellas, and a blanket so we could enjoy the concert and the Fireworks Display. When I lived in the DC Metropolitan Area, we spent the whole day on The Mall with friends.
I love Fireworks, but the band shell blocked our view; we enjoyed the concert and saw some of the 20-minute display. Disney World’s fireworks are better, and they have them every night! When I lived in New York City, there used to be Fireworks on New Year’s Eve in Central Park. I never saw them in person on July 4th, but someday I will!
From here, we are heading to Delaware as tourists! Our schedule will be booked solid, visiting with friends, past colleagues and favorite places.
To be continued.