Stratford Hall Day Trip

We were there about forty years ago on one of the many trips we took to the DC area. Since we moved to DC sixteen years ago, we have exhausted most of the attractions in the city and surrounding areas. We have been wanting to take some short day trips to places that are within about two hours from our house. We needed a change of scenery after two plus years stuck in the house. One of those places to visit was Stratford Hall. I prefer not having to get tickets beforehand, but we did. At least they weren’t timed passes. So yesterday we headed out after putting some water, crackers and oranges in a cooler and a quick breakfast at McDonalds’s - just like in the old days when we’re actually taking a trip somewhere. We took a different route through DC, then Maryland and back to Virginia’s northern neck. Gas prices were $3.99 in some spots! When we arrived at Stratford Hall we didn’t remember anything about it except that it was an H shaped house and was home to the many Lee’s of Virginia. We tried to use our phones for a narrative guide but my phone connects to my hearing aids and my husband didn’t have his earphones. So we just meandered about the main house and then took a walk about the grounds. After that we sat in the car under the tree and relished the oranges. The ride home was on I95 through the horrendous Fredericksburg traffic.l and back to northern Virginia. It was always the worst stretch of traffic when we returned home from our Florida trips. The trouble with doing day trips to points outside of the city is that you need to return to the dreadful traffic. So you go from almost completely uninhabited dead space to parking lot freeways. By the time we got home we were discombobulated because we were so outside of our routine. Maybe we need to stick with things just an hour away? Regardless, the places we visited forty years ago just don’t have the same attraction that they once did. So now I need to get another list together of options around us - and there are a lot of them. As much as we like to travel away even for a short period of time we are always happier when we get back home. 

Virginia Safari Park Day Trip

We’ve been to Busch Gardens in Florida many times - way back in the 60’s when it was only a brewery. Then came the animals where the monorails rode high above them. A while back I came across information about the Virginia Safari Park and thought it might be interesting to visit. I don’t recall ever being in a car where the animals come to you - for food. Being the fall season and wanting to see the leaves changing anyway, yesterday was a great sunny day for a road trip to Natural Bridge. And it was. From the minute we entered the gate, the animals “attacked.” My husband and I shared one small bucket of feed, but all the animals have your number. With the windows down, they literally walk up to your face and stare at you. One llama sniffed the back of my neck. Before long one bucket was snatched. The HUGE horns on the beasts could easily break the window glass and side mirrors. It was actually getting frightening! So we shut the windows and watched the other cars get attacked. The llama literally walked in front of the car and wouldn’t budge - giving us the royal stare down. All you could do was wait for them to finally move. The smaller critters don’t stand a chance. You could always honk your horn if you needed help. The ride is three miles and really very interesting as it twists and turns along the mountainside. Along the way you see giraffe, rhinos, bison, zebra, cattle, elk, ostrich - they all seemed to get along. Afterwards we walked through the village and visited the budgies, kangaroos, monkeys, tigers, vultures, cheetahs, penguins, anteaters, tortoises, lemurs, and snakes. Summer is the busiest time of year in this Shenandoah Valley adventure, so we were glad to visit as the season was winding down. I think we may have missed a few things, but it was a very interesting experience. I’ll never forget how big these creatures are - especially when you are looking at them eye to eye. 

Four States in Four Hours Day Trip

We had an unexpected invitation for a lunch date in Cape May, New Jersey. We had heard about Cape May for many years but never had a reason to go until yesterday. There are three ways of getting there from here in Virginia - along 95 through Baltimore, along 301 through Delaware, or taking the ferry in Delaware in Lewes to Cape May. We took the ferry across Lake Michigan from Milwaukee to Muskegon a few years ago to avoid Chicago. It was cold, rainy, and rough weather - not a great experience. So we nixed that idea and decided to drive the 301 route through Delaware. So we started out at 8 AM and headed out on the freeway. I had a feeling we took the wrong path early on. What should have taken four hours was more like five. Driving around DC in Monday morning rush hour is a royal pain anyway. The google maps was all over the place and we missed the nearest turnoff to head towards Annapolis, Maryland and the Bay Bridge. Once we finally got there it was a rather pleasant drive through the small towns of Delaware and then in to New Jersey. What surprised us the most were all the farms, but also all the cowboy stores. Since we haven’t really been anywhere since we moved to Northern Virginia from Capitol Hill in April, it was a nice diversion. Day trips are fun, but getting back home felt even better. I can’t say I always felt that way going back to DC. 

Road trip to Middleburg, Virginia

Every year about this time we make a trek to Middleburg to see the dog show. This year there was no dog show, but we went anyway. Although it wasn't as colorful as is typical, it's always a nice drive. Anytime we leave the congestion if Washington is fine by me. We stopped for lunch, then wandered around the Main Street, and spent a lovely day overall. This is the place Jackie Kennedy would escape to for horse riding and comfortable settings outside the White House. It also reminds me of Wisconsin farm country. And that's always a good thing. 

Clara Barton Comcast Mail

A couple weeks ago we ventured to the Clara Barton National Historic Site in Glen Echo. It is a short ride through Georgetown and the Palisades, along McArthur Boulevard. While we were waiting on the front steps for the hourly tour, the mailbox had an item of interest. I know Clara Barton was a woman of many talents, and she was interested in all the gadgets of her time while she was running the Red Cross. I like to think we had a lot in common. I'm from Massachusetts, am a nurse, a Federal employee, love animals, and like to draw. However, she was considerably shorter! Anyway, I have two digital art renderings on exhibit at the site through October, which is both a privilege and an honor! Regardless, it just seemed funny to see an envelope addressed to Ms. Barton. I know she would have appreciated it, but would have definitely preferred email.