So after we leave the USS Alabama, we get off I-10 for the first time in a week. We head NE on I-65 to Montgomery, then I-85 to Atlanta. We had planned to visit the Coca-Cola World in Atlanta, but our hotel turned out to be on the opposite of town and a significant detour. We opted to continue on the next morning to Wytheville, VA via NW South Carolina and Gastonia, NC. Along the way, we saw a few interesting things, but mostly at that point we were destination driven and just wanted to get there. Here are the pictures. We did make a stop at a nice museum of natural science called the Schiele Museum in Gastonia.
A long day on the road. After the museum, we headed north on I-77 in Charlotte, NC all the way into Wytheville, Virginia. A nice hotel, warm pool, kids to play with, and the laundry got done.
A good night's sleep, and we're just a few hours from family!
Next stop is Skyline Drive for lunch, then Luray Caverns. Ted had been to the Caverns before, but didn't remember much, and Claire hadn't been at all, so she was excited. I've been a number of times in my life and always remember a line and an assigned tour time, so I was pleasantly surprised when we got there and the tour is now self-guided with a choice of audio tours. There was a high energy, informative kid's audio and a more refined (pinkies up everyone), slightly more detail oriented. You could go back and forth between the two at each station. I listened to both, and the kid's was much more fun!
After we left the caverns, we were only about 1 hour from Trish and Brad's in Marshall, VA. An uneventful drive to Marshall, and we were in place for a 2 night stay! Yipee! No moving the very next morning. Instead, we (Claire) got to play with Angel (the scaredy-dog), we (all) got to see the deer, hang out with Trish and Brad, have one person to a bed, eat good food, and sightsee in Washington, D.C. for two days. (see pictures) Thanks so much Trish and Brad!
Washington was hot and humid, but still a great place to see, learn, and experience. We were there for the shooting at the Holocaust Museum, too close for my liking, but stayed safe and still enjoyed ourselves immensely.
We left our second day in D.C. and headed to Midlothian, VA for the night to visit the Haines family. A too short visit for sure, but maybe we can get them to come to Arizona sometime? Thanks so much for having us though. A trip to Friendly's and a night at another comfy family home, and we were off to Virginia Beach!
Virginia Beach means family, fun, food, the beach, a birthday party for Claire, and friends. But first and foremost it means WE GET TO PICK UP DADDY AT THE AIRPORT!!!!! Yay for all of us. I get a break and the kids get to see their dad again, and I get adult company again. A win-win-win situation. Here are the pictures.
We were covered in bug bites, saw lots of rain, thunder, and lightning, but saw UP, ate ice cream, went to the beach, restaurants, and I had a pedicure with Julie to keep me company. Aaaah.
We'll take off for points north in the next blog.
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