The UVA Campus

We hadn’t been to visit our family in central Virginia since Christmas. We were supposed to visit in March, but we both got COVID after four years of not getting it. We were very disappointed on so many levels. So the weekend trip was rescheduled to last weekend. We brought along a birthday cake for our son, but ended up leaving it for our grandson and his friends since our DIL had another one made for him. Before we get to our final destination we always stop in Charlottesville to see our grandson - who is finishing up his junior year. Our DIL meets us there and we take a tour of the campus and then go out for dinner. As it is almost graduation time you could see many students having photographers taking photos of the upcoming event. The rotunda is a routine backdrop. I was also looking for photos of “leading lines” which was the subject of this weeks photo contest. At least this time it was it wasn’t freezing or raining. It was actually lovely in all regards. It’s hard to believe that our grandson only has one year to go. Until that time comes we will probably visit at least a couple of more times. 

Florida State vs Virginia Basketball

I use to tutor Florida State basketball players - way back in the day when FSU was the number two school in the country. I didn’t realize it at the time, but not a lot of people could say that they had the entire basketball team and some of the coaches over to their house after a tournament. I can’t imagine what my parents thought! Long after I graduated I got free seats right behind the bench when FSU played Marquette in the Midwest. In college, I knew all of the players and coaches and never missed a game. I still have fond memories of it all. So last night when we were fumbling around trying to find a TV show to watch we landed on a sports channel. And FSU was playing UVA. Now I had two reasons to watch at least a bit of it. Our grandson goes to UVA - so it was worth seeing which team was winning. I could tell right away who would most likely win after watching a bit of the first half. We tuned in to something else at the half, and this morning I looked up the score. UVA won by four points - which is what they were winning by when we were watching. It was fun to see the arena where they were playing in Tallahassee - with the garnet and gold everywhere and hearing the familiar chants lead by the band. Our venue back then was about the size of a high school gym and I always sat right across from the bench facing all of the players. What an interesting and fun time that was. 

A Short Trip to Central Virginia

It’s been four months since we took a short trip to central Virginia to visit family. We used to all live on Capitol Hill just down the street from each other. We had an opportunity to watch our grandson grow through late middle school. Then they moved away. But luckily it’s only three hours away so we can still visit every so often - but it’s not the same! Now our grandson is a sophomore at UVA. So we stopped there first to have dinner and his mom joined us there. We took a walkabout the campus and then had a bite. A lot of the coeds were having graduation photos taken. Then after another hour of driving we were “home” at the converted warehouse on the James River. On Saturday we took a ride to the “cabin” that is now completed - also on the James River, but in another town about twenty five minutes away. The dog loves all of the land and we love sitting and doing absolutely nothing - but only after a hefty walk up and down the paths and stone walkways. Back at the warehouse an elaborate dinner is always prepared, dishes are washed, and we always watch a movie. This is the first time the grandson was not at home when we were visiting. We are sure mom and dad are adjusting to the change of not having a kid around the house. The next day we all went out for breakfast and a little after noon we were on our way back home. Both my husband and I are terrible travelers. We are exhausted after just a couple of days and it takes a couple more to get back to normal. We always look forward to the visits and hope to have many more. It’s so nice to get away and turn off the noise around you. 

UVA Architecture

Our grandson attends UVA. He is a sophomore majoring in math and computer science. The school is located an hour from their home in central Virginia and two hours from our house. That makes it very convenient in so many ways. It offers the getaway from the home feeling and is close enough to drive back and forth when needed. We have been planning to take a tour of the campus with him since he started there, but COVID messed up any opportunity. So we waited until last week to finally see the campus. On our way to their home we first stopped off at UVA and parked in front of his house where he lives with seven other people. He loved in the dorm last year. They all belong to the rafting club - he even gives lessons in the pool. His mom joined us there and we set out. Because of the thanksgiving holiday the place was literally deserted. And the remains of the memorials from the school shooting the week before were everywhere. So it was a different sort of tour, but interesting at that time of the day - almost dusk. It’s obvious it was made by Thomas Jefferson because the style is so Monticello. We passed by all of the landmarks and statues of the third President. We walked from one end to the other then went to a really nice restaurant for dinner. Our grandson’s roommate was our waiter. We are hoping to visit again in warmer weather and more normal circumstances. The “academical village” is named on the world heritage list. 

UVA Memorial

It’s not the kind of thing you want to happen to anyone. But whenever you hear about a mass killing you wonder if you will ever become involved. Before Thanksgiving there was one at the University of Virginia. That’s where our grandson goes to college and the closest thing we have come to knowing someone near an event like this. When we lived on Capitol Hill there was a mass shooting at the Navy Yard - a few blocks from our house at the time. My husband read about the event early in the morning and we contacted our grandson just to see how things were. He was sheltering in place and ended up driving home - luckily it is only one hour away. It was a very sad situation soon to be outdone by another mass killing somewhere else. When we drove to visit family for the holiday we first stopped at UVA in Charlottesville to get the tour of the campus. I thought when we finally took the tour with our grandson it would be a joyous occasion. Instead, it was quite solemn walking along the football stadium where the football players played and where the memorial flowers and tokens abounded. Our grandson lives near the stadium so that’s where our tour started. All along the campus route there were reminders of the event. The campus was also empty because of the holiday - so it was even a bit more eerie, but beautifull all at the same time. It’s hard to think that this tragedy will not affect the school’s reputation. It just makes everything seem a bit more sour. 

A Very Sad Day at UVA

It’s not the kind of news you want to hear. Early yesterday morning my husband read that there was a mass shooting at UVA. It wasn’t exactly a surprise since these sorts of things have become much too common. But this time it was more personal. My husband immediately texted our daughter in law to see if she could tell us if our grandson was affected in any way. Our grandson is currently a sophomore at UVA. She answered back that he was not near where the incident occurred but that they were all sheltering in place. When I woke up I immediately sent a text to Will telling him that grandma and grandpa hope he is careful and to stay safe. He answered immediately hoping that things would simmer down soon. During the day we heard the details about the incident and were sickened by it all - especially the horrible impact psychologically it has on everyone. Later in the day we texted Will again to let him know we were thinking about him and his friends. I remember on 9/11 I was at work and felt the need to drive back home to be with my husband. Luckily Will had the same opportunity to drive back home to be with his parents. I’m not sure who was happier to be with each other. We were just glad that they could share the distress together. This is one time - among others - that living an hour away from college is a good thing. I just know that this day will have a impression on everyone for the rest of their lives. We share our sincerely condolences with the families of the lost students. 

UVA State Arboretum of Virginia

Trying to find some options for “day trips” that are within an hour or two from where we live I compiled a list of potential places. Last week we went to Stratford Hall. That took us to the northern neck of Virginia. This week we thought a trip to the State Arboretum of Virginia in Brandy might be nice. Getting there on the I-66 construction zone was certainly not relaxing. But once we got off the highway the side streets were quite enjoyable. There are probably better times of the year to visit since it was blistering hot! I tried to use the self guided tour but their internet wasn’t working. So we stumbled around the area hoping to see interesting trees, plants and flowers. It is also called the Blandy Experimental Farm managed by the University of Virginia. We walked amongst the conifers and then took the native plant trail and checked out the observation deck. Then we drove the car around the site and passed through the Cedars of Lebanon. Apparently there are a lot of year round programs and activities. This was just another way for us to feel like we were on vacation since we haven’t taken one for over two years. We always bring two oranges, crackers and water in a cooler for a snack to have on the way home. We took the back roads to avoid the construction zone but ended up on the toll road - something I prefer to avoid. Getting in and out of town is always a driving nightmare. Maybe we will do these trips every other week? We are always so happy to get back home. In the end it’s all about the company rather than the journey or the destination.