Howard Johnson Express Inn Staunton

... 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.

... many people there were, it was surprisingly clean and pretty. We ate a yummy pizza place and then got ice cream afterwards. I would go here again.

--Calvin and I went to Williamsburg, Va to go to Busch Gardens. We also went to Water Country USA, which is technically still Busch Gardens. It was only a 2 1/2 hr drive, and was a really cute old town. We walked downtown one of the nights.

June 22

We had spent the night at the Hampton Inn off of I-81 (http://hamptoninn.hilton.com/en/hp/hot els/index.jhtml?ctyhocn=DBLVAHX). Our destination today was the Natural Bridge (http://www.naturalbridgeva.com/), and within 90 minutes we reached our destination.

Considering that the only natural bridge ...

... 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 ...

... we have never favoured them for sleeping because the truckers usually leave their engines running all night so it can be very noisy.

This particular truck stop is an independent and if you take a look at their web site, you will see it does have some unique bits. www.leehi.com go to the Berkley’s restaurant section – it’s really interesting.

Anyhow we found a pitch (you see ...

Am working on getting my phone ready for use in Europe. Trying to unlock it, so far without success. Evidently you get 5 chances and then it gets permanently locked. Maybe I'll let AT&T unlock it for me. Got prescription pills for 6 months - yikes. The perils of travel for the middle aged. I broke my Wal-Mart boycott in order to save big - forgive me. I have only 5 more days with my dog, Donovan, so am starting to feel ...

We started early enough and it's cloudy. The car is full. Really. After about an hour we are at Pedro. You know they have the worst restrooms. By the way North Carolina has the best ones. We stop at an Outlet mall in Smithfield. Nothing there really except more rain. On the road again but we do not see a thing. Have to put the Hazard on ...

... flight. On my flight I sat next to a very nice older gentleman who turned out to be former military also. He was an Air Force Commander. He was flying in from Panama City, FL which is where Alan is. We chatted a bit and he told me some neat places to visit while overseas - Amman Jordan, Istanbul Turkey. By the end of the flight he shook my hand... and if you're military, you know what was in it. A big fat commander's coin! How cool is that. I didn't slept on the plane ...

... some of Mrs. Washington's personal possessions. After Fredericksburg we eight lunch at Old Country buffet, Next we went to The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. We ended the day with dinner at are hotel some swimming and an early bed time we have to be up at 3am to leave for the inauguration.

... was a picture with the caption "A fine Virginia wine will compliment the flavors of your favorite food." Visions of foie gras, crusty bread and exotic cheeses filled my head accompanied by a nice cabernet. This would be great, at last we could get the foods we like to eat to go with some new wines to taste. The picture was a little different though. A bottle of Virginia's finest was staged on a table with two wine glasses, two plates with ...