We're back! My husband, daughter, dearest friend, and moi, took this mega trip which began in Northern California and found us traveling to Gurnee, Illinois then to DC, WIlliamsburg/Jamestown, Charlottesville, Gettysburg, Maryland, DC, then home again home again jiggety jig.
Our time in the Chicago (Gurnee) area visiting family was wonderful! Renewing and deepening family ties is priceless and these particular family members are so very special to my heart. Kindred spirits through and through.
After Chicago we flew to Washington DC and began our historic tour...the 2nd in 2 years! We began by driving to Williamsburg and enjoyed the colonial history, melt in your mouth brie from the Cheese Shop, colorful and crunchy leaves on the streets and sidewalks, holding hands, historic cemetery, living history.
Jamestown is an excellent visit and one to consider for the 400th anniversary in 2007! The new visitor center is full of excellent educational considerations, and the living history of Indian and settler alike brings one back in time. The ships are amazing.
Charlottesville and Monticello (Jefferson's home) came next. Truly, Thomas Jefferson was a man of great intellect and insight! I especially loved taking my time in the gardens then with my dear hubby walked to the Jefferson Cemetery and through an autumn tree laden path, to the main center.
Always make time to drive the backroads! We planned for this and were not disappointed. From Charlottesville to Purcellville we meandered on country roads and saw true Virginia rather than the cement/vehicle jungle of some eastern portions near DC. What beauty! Add to the experience 'worship music' on the CD player and you have the makings of a lovely drive.
Purcellville is the location of Patrick Henry College. We visited the Admissions Office and were given a mini-tour of the main building, a couple classrooms, and the general layout of the campus as well as future plans. Our dear friend attended Strategic Intelligence Camp this summer so he was able to help us aquaint ourselves better. Excellent college. Wow.
From Purcellville we remained on backroads for the most part to find our way to Gettysburg. Before making our way to our B&B (Hickory Bridge Farm B&B) we stopped to eat at the historic Dobbin House. Shrimp Bisque for me, French Onion Soup for hubby, full meals for daughter and dear friend. Full and satisfied, we made our way to the B&B and felt like we were coming home. Our last visit we stayed here as well - we highly recommend it. hickorybridgefarm.com We housed ourselves in the 2nd floor of the Old Farmhouse, with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms - privacy and coziness.
The last visit to Gettysburg found me a victim at Little Round Top. I was looking up at a memorial rather than down where my feet were taking me - which was off a curb of sorts twisting my ankle badly. This visit I looked down and was successful in seeing the entire memorial area of Little Round Top w/o incident. Our tour cd was for 2 hours but based on our interest level and time taken outside the car, it was stretched to 4.5 hours ~ and worth every moment.
From Gettysburg we traveled to Lititz then Intercourse I found the sweetest shop in Lititz called Seasons. Everything made in the USA by people the owner personally knows, and even by the owner herself! Pottery, penny rugs, hooked wool designs, linens, hand dyed wools (which I bought and tucked away in my luggage). Lititz is a charming little town I long to visit again. I especially enjoy the Quilt Museum in Intercourse ... lovely designs and an excellent gift shop with amazing creativity to choose from.
Next was Ellicott City, Maryland where we stayed with hubby's sister and family. Our welcome was sweet and lasting. We spent 2 days relaxing and rejuvenating while also enjoying Annapolis for a few hours one day. The other days spent there were in DC but coming 'home' to rest in the evening.
DC held all our main points of interest, from a Capitol Tour to memorials, monuments, museums and more. The Christian heritage of our precious nation is real and 'everywhere'! The In God We Trust Tour Guide was an eye-opening help in understanding how this nation truly started and the Godly thread permeating its existence. This guide is necessary when visiting our nation's capitol. Necessary.
One of my favorite places while in the DC area is to Mt. Vernon, George Washington's estate. I feel so *at home* there. I wonder if they'd allow me to take up residence for a while - say, 20 years...? The new visitor center is awesome and will make your couple hour visit more like a good part of your day. Worth it ~ plan for it!
After 15 days of travel we made our way home to Northern California. While we loved our journey and wanted it to continue for a myriad of reasons, it's always good to be 'home' and in our own beds, eating our own food, pitter-pattering our own floors, streets, stores.
Hubby and I are seriously praying about taking a group of home educated high school students to DC. Pray with us to see if this be God's will. | 