A Walk Along the James River

It was with a great deal of enthusiasm that we drove to central Virginia to visit our family for Christmas. We haven’t been there - for Christmas - since 2019 because of the pandemic. So it was so nice to do all the traditional things we always did. One of those things included a drive to the “cabin” on the James River and a crazy eight circle walk around the property. We do this every time we visit, but it’s always different at this time of the year. The landscape and color is so different, but the walk and the steep inclines remain the same. It’s also a great stress test. If you can walk this path you must be okay! It’s just so scenic and picturesque there - and so very quiet compared to our usual environs. Every time we come another project is being worked on. This time more trees are being planted so as to hide the view of the nearest neighbors - who are some distance away. The road to the “cabin” is wide enough for one car and quite deserted when you turn off the Main Street, off another Main Street. This land has been occupied since the 1700’s with proof of Washington’s army activities near the site during the revolutionary war. And through the years evidence has been found for a variety of curiosities. I’m not sure I’d want to stay there at night. My husband and I prefer being in the land of the living. But it is always a wonderful visit. 

Central Virginia Weekend Adventure

We haven’t been there for six months. So we finally decided to bite the bullet and visit the family in central Virginia this past weekend. If we waited for the pandemic to settle down we would be waiting forever. Since my husband and I received our second boosters last month we’ve done everything we can within reason. We really love going there for a visit because we don’t have to think of or about anything. We get driven around, have wonderful meals made for us, and just get to sit around and chat and relax. This time was a bit different because the “cabin” by the James River - that has been under construction for the last few years - has been completed. There is of course work that continues on the exterior grounds and surrounding area, but we can now go inside to a fully furnished place. And it is beautiful. But we spent more time sitting along the river enjoying the view. The predicted rainy weather never materialized so it was just perfect. Avoiding ticks and such in the wilderness is something we usually don’t have to think about. But we were in a different environment. All in all it was just a wonderful time. We need to do it more often. 

A Tale of Two Cities

We have lived on Capitol Hill for twelve years. With that comes the noise, congestion, and aggravation that goes along with locating to a place that is well known, and liked and/or disliked by millions. There are a lot of things we like about being here which is why we can’t figure out where we would ever move to when it’s time. Nothing at this point is drawing us away because every time we leave we can’t wait to get back. We now have an opportunity to get away from here every so many months to visit our family in Virginia. They used to live just down the street until five years ago when work took them to another town. An old historic warehouse was renovated to create a particularly unique living space. And now another abode is being created from scratch in an isolated area along the James River. Talk about going from night to day - city to country. While visiting over the holiday we took a look at the progress to date. But what strikes us, regardless of the season, is the absolute and distinctly different lifestyle each of these places provides in every single dimension. It’s a great way to get a taste of it all. Neither one of us is in to the great outdoors. But this is a great chance to experience it. 

Canoe Trip on the James River

https://instagram.com/p/BmdzkVxFckf/

We took a semi unplanned overnight trip to Virginia. We decided to get tickets to see Billy Bob Thornton Boxmasters on a Monday and left Friday morning for the concert that evening. But it just so happens our family also lives there so we had two good reasons to visit. It takes about four hours to our destination and we got an unexpected treat from our grandson. His family have some land along the James River in what we would call the wilderness, and are starting to build a house on the property. But in the meantime they are enjoying the riverside and the water. Neither my husband nor I are in to the great outdoors. It’s nice to visit, but we wouldn’t want to live there or participate in activities associated with the great outdoors. So when we went to the homestead site, our grandson thought it might be a good idea to have a canoe trip. All we had to do was sit in the canoe, and he would do all the work. So we got on our life jackets, got in the canoe, and hung on to the sides with a steady grip. Because all we had to do was sit there, it was pleasant enough, but I didn’t care for the wobbly nature of the trip, and I didn’t have a hat or sunglasses on. But it was a fine retreat from the usual DC nonsense. Unfortunately all the animals and birds were hiding in the afternoon heat but the dragonflies were everywhere. The scenery was lovely but I do prefer the solid ground under my feet or a pontoon boat that doesn’t tip. The idea of snakes and bears doesn’t appeal us either. We were very impressed with our grandson’s knowledge and eagerness about the outdoors. And that’s what made this little excursion worth it. 

Pontoon Boat Ride Down the James River in Virginia

Someone in our family is in love with the James River. So much so that he and his family recently bought some property along it that includes a small creek with documented historical significance. So on our visit this past weekend we had an opportunity to explore the site, and were lucky enough to take a pontoon boat ride provided by a neighbor who lives up the river. It is always our luck to be on the water when it is very cold and windy. In spite of it, the pooch that came along for the ride provided entertainment and the views of the land were interesting from this reference point. The river is a lot wider than imagined, and there are many run down buildings as well as new construction dotting the land and hills throughout. There is also a CSX owned train track on the opposite side which brings along with it CSX trains. We went quite a ways in both directions and when we landed back where we started we explored more of the couple of acres of newly acquired frontier. Neither my husband nor I are the outdoorsy types. But we are certain that something wonderful will be constructed within the next couple of years. And who knows? There may be a pooch thrown in to this mix. He or she would have a blast in those parts.