Sunday, November 17, 2013

Hit the road, Jack

It should be no surprise to you that Blake and I like are our adventures. We liked adventures and traveling and road tripping before me met, so we've really been grateful to always have someone to do these kinds of things with and with whom we get along with so well. We've both been on trips with people we did not travel well with, and it's a special kind of torture. But it turns out that we really travel well together and can spend many hours in a car, just the two of us, and have a great time at it.

Knowing this, I planned a surprise, two day road trip for the two of us to the wilds of Southern Virginia back in August. All Blake knew before we left was that we were (probably) going south and we would be camping. He was an excellent sport about it and even drove the whole time. Before we left home, I gave him the first clue to our first destination - Sonic Drive-In for breakfast. Once we finished there, he got the next clue, and we preceded the same way for the next two days.

The timing of our adventuring and getting to see everything I wanted us to see worked out rather well, if I do say so myself.

Friday was primarily a history day. Our first stop was Montpelier, the home of James Madison. It was a beautiful property.


Then, we saw a silo painted like a Nutcracker. Why? Well, why not?
Husband added for scale

We continued our presidential tour at Ashlawn-Highland, the home of James Monroe, which was much more modest, but still lovely.

For lunch, we at historical Mitchie Tavern, with a delicious Southern bill of fare.


Blake was not surprised at all that our next and final stop for the day was Monticello, home of Thomas Jefferson. We had fantastic tour guides at all the homes and really all enjoyed the history and stories.


As promised, that night we camped, another thing both of us enjoy, haven't done for a long time before meeting each other, but did together three times this summer.

Saturday, we enjoyed more of the outdoor and natural wonders of Southern Virginia. First stop was Foamhenge, a complete replica of Stonehenge made out of styrofoam. Why? Again, I ask you, why not?

Then it was off to Natural Bridge and the nearby Caverns. The caverns were cool, but it was the bridge that was really amazing. Even George Washington thought so when he carved his initials into the rock. They discourage that kind of behavior now.

After lunch at a 50s themed diner, we went to a drive through safari park. My family did one when I was about five and I loved it then. We both loved it this time too.


Blake had a zebra say hi.
I had two. We weren't supposed to feed or touch them, but they were rather friendly.
Finally, we finished our afternoon touring Stonewall Jackson's home and a rather significant place nearby.

Overall, it was an incredible success. We still talk about what a great time. We are really blessed to live in such an amazing area of the country with so much history and beauty within a just a few hours from our home!

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