Hampton Inn Harrisonburg

... where the handicapped black car driver people first started following us. We came away with the Sauvignon Blanc and the "Harlequin" C******nay.

Cardinal Point, black car driver people followed us here. We liked the 2008 Barrel Select C******nay and the 2008 blend CS+PV+CF (NOT a meritage) and came away with a bottle of each.

Last ...

... home. We're still trying to figure out why you pay 1% to say your wine is a meritage.

Keswick Vineyards was next. We tried a Touriga here - it was OK - bought the 2008 C******nay.

And last but not least Blenheim Vineyards. Cool tasting room with a glass floor in the center where you can see down into the barrel room. The bottling truck was there and they ...

... have been really struck by the pride, passion and almost reverence that Americans appear to have for their historical sites – the guides we have had have always managed to impart their interest in and love for the places we have visited and this was no exception.

Monticello provided a fascinating insight into life in late 18th Century America and into the man who built it. A self-taught architect, Jefferson was very much the Renaissance man ...

... I was amazed. If I had any idea of investing, she killed it. But, if that type of thing doesn't bother you, then go for it. This was several years ago, but at that time, you were given $100 of Massanutten bucks at the end of the sales pitch, which can only be used on the resort. Personally, if it was a repeat performance of the first time, it would not be worth it to me.
Massanutten aside, the area was just beautiful and would be a definite favorite for nature and history lovers.

... food, especially breakfast. Got some salmon hash that came like eggs benedict. IT WAS AMAZING!!!! First night we went to Fellini's and had a bottle of wine. It was really nice!! Definitely partied hard with these guys, although I could not really keep up. Had a blast. On the way down to Duck we stopped by his friend Stephen's.

Ooook, I am done with the summer research program! I gave my presentation for the last once time today at the Rotunda in front of all the faculty members and graduate students! I have finished packing! We all gathered in Mary's room and got all sentimental... but peace!

... d imagine it's better during the academic year... hopefully.

So I was completely alone for the first time in 7 weeks. Free of obligations and meetings and activities and deadlines and banters. Oh my gosh, I loved every moment of it. My days consisted of me sleeping in until noon, strolling around the Barracks Shopping Center and the Corner, watching two movies on my laptop (The Red Violin and Hotel Rwanda ...

... br>
We got into Virginia in the afternoon and decided that we should get something to eat so we stopped at a Subway and got one of those $5 footlong deals for both of us and one pop to share.

Then we got off of I-64 near I-81 onto SR-42 and started wandering in a northerly direction toward Harrisonburg, VA. This was a really pretty drive especially when we came along the Cowpasture River as it is really heavily wooded but very scenic.

When we got ...

... selected a delcious bottle of their 2007 Viognier.  
 
When we left the vineyard we drove around the area a bit and drove past some great walking trails and Monticello, which looked like a great place to visit.  We also happened upon a cute "village" where we checked out a gift shop filled with all sorts of fun area related items.  Then it was off to our friends for the night!  

Man, I can't believe how quickly the time has flown. Classes finish at 4pm tomorrow and then Laura & I set off for Washington DC to a hotel on the outskirts so that we can catch our respective flights on Wednesday. This conference/training has been fantastic, it really has. I wasn't sure what to expect and I was worried it would be a little too heavy at times, but I've really had an absolute ball. Strong bonds have developed in the various classes, we've shared our ...