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. 

From One Extreme to the Other

It’s been six months since we took a road trip. We have been very cautious since the pandemic due to our age and the general trends. The last time was at Thanksgiving to visit our family in central Virginia. So we were looking forward to spending time with them for the weekend. Our grandson just finished his first year at college and wouldn’t be around this summer so it was good timing. It’s about a three hour drive if all goes well. The time to travel is shorter now since we live in northern Virginia instead of Capitol Hill. Just getting out of the city is at least a half an hour more. What we like to see most is the total difference in surroundings - from construction zones and heavy traffic leaving and upon our return compared to the tranquility of the more rural landscape. And no where is it more obvious the further south we go - from I495 to I66 to 29S through Charlottesville and one hour more after that. The flat land, congestion and freeways turn in to rolling meadows, farmland, mountains, and tranquility. The time went by very quickly and the ride back was just there hours flat on a Monday morning. We missed rush hour and it makes a big difference. Hopefully we won’t have to wait another six months to visit. It’s like night and day in more ways than one.