Sleep Inn Staunton

... 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 ...

... down to the fibres which are then spun into the linen thread. Brilliant - and quite pleased to have introduced an educational element without the children realising it!

On our way back to Washington for our flight to Florida, our route took us through a small town called Appomattox Court House near Fredericksburg. I'm guessing that the majority of you will not have heard of this little place, but to Americans it is a highly significant ...

... were there in September, but I think beauty could be found any month of the year in this general area.
As far as Massanutten is concerned, it just depends on what you're looking for in a vacation. There is skiing, skateboarding and swimming. Children will probably enjoy the indoor water park. There are daily activities as well, all for a fee. We didn't take advantage of any of this, since it didn't interest us. We did spend several hours listening to a timeshare sales pitch ...

Um....yeah. Red wine, pinot noir, is my new friend. Got rowdy with Aaron and Luca. Kelly and Ed made an appearance as well. Went to the UVA vs William and Mary because we got free tickets from a gentleman named Davies. He had walked in on us smoking and could not have been any cooler. And even though UVA lost we had fun anyway. Lots of ...

As we left Albany driving towards Charlottesville, i kept thinking how absurd it is that I have yet to ramble in my own backyard. I've lived in New York for years and yet, I've never traveled south of Philadelphia! Our first stop was Shepardstown, a beautiful college town with

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!

... ironically bit the dust the day of our departure), and three of those black sleep masks with a bag of foam earplugs. I think that’s it.

I purchased only a few new items of clothing and no new shoes, figuring it was a much better idea to take only well-broken-in and proven-comfortable shoes.

You may be asking yourself, “Why does she feel the need to list all of these things? Can’t we just get on with the trip ...

We had spent Wednesday night at Curt's parents house in Maryland so that we would be able to get an earlier start on Skyline drive.  The weather started out great, however as we got closer to Shenendoah National Park the sky looked like it was going to break open and begin pouring...not exactly what you'd want when your plans were to go hiking & take in the view from Skyline Drive. 

We stopped for ...

... local gave us some free cans of beer in the evening. We couldnt find him to give his cool box back at night. When we returned it to him in the morning. He said "was it you, who was walking around with a flashlight last night?" " Be careful, they all have guns around here"! Off to Eastern Tennesse tomorrow. For more sight seeing this time, the smoky mountains! Take care. Jimbo