Page Updated: February 13, 2024

Northern Virginia

New state! And Virginia blew my socks off! The landscape is beautiful, and it reminded me of the rolling hills of Montana. One day we hope to be able to explore Virginia’s coast; but for Leg 28 we kept to the hills & mountains and filled our time visiting several of the Dominion State’s historic sites and monuments.

And of course we spent a little time in nature!

Our rental was a beautiful cabin with a little seclusion, wide open rooms, and a heated toilet seat that opened by itself when it sensed a presence. Guys… I didn’t know what I was missing! Every now and then an Airbnb will have something that blows my mind. And now I know I must have one of these commode gadgets in my life!

This leg was busy! We booked 4 weeks in the Elkton area and we took a 5 day jaunt to visit Washington D.C. We visited two presidential homes and spent an afternoon in Shenandoah National Park. And…

We’re doing it! We finally made a decision and ordered an RV Feb 3, 2023!

6 weeks til the build begins - additional 8-10 weeks for paint

Time is going to fly!

Lee had the dry heaves!

THE LOCAL GRUB

Shrimp & Grits

Thunderbird Café in McGaheysville offers a nice selection of breakfast options in a diner style setting. Enjoyed the Shrimp and Grits, but the Chicken and Waffles and the French Toast plate are popular choices.



Wherever we settle in the future must have excellent Mexican choices, so we’re always trying Mexican restaurants wherever we are. These steak nachos from El Paso Mexican Grille in Elkton were great!

Steak Nachos


After a morning underground we grabbed lunch at Ollie Cat Café in Luray. We both ordered burgers nut the Potato Skins appetizer took the prize!

Cheddar Bacon Potato Skins

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scenes from the leg!

THE FUN STUFF

01/26/2023

National Mall and Memorial Parks

Covering over a thousand acres of greenspace from the United States Capitol to the Potomac River, the National Mall has existed for over two hundred years…

01/27/2023

Smithsonian Institution: The Castle

With a current twenty-one museums and the National Zoo in Washington D.C. plus links to numerous museums across the country, the Smithsonian Institution…

01/27/2023

National Gallery of Art

 The National Gallery of Art works to collect, preserve, protect, and exhibit one of the richest collections of American and European works…

01/28/2023

National Air and Space Museum

Located on the National Mall in Washington D.C., the National Air and Space Museum is so large it has second installment as…

01/28/2023

National Museum of the American Indian

The National Museum of the American Indian, located on the National Mall in Washington D.C., spans more than 12,000 years of history…

01/29/2023

National Museum of Natural History

The National Museum of Natural History maintains and preserves more than 145 million natural history specimens and human artifacts…

01/30/2023

Arlington National Cemetery

On May 13, 1864, Private William Christman became the first military burial in what would be come known as Arlington National Cemetery…

02/04/2023

Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello

Ask any American three thing the know about Thomas Jefferson: Primary author of the Declaration of Independence. Third President of the United States….

02/04/2023

Michie Tavern ca. 1784 Pub

In the mid 1780’s, prompted to action by frequent knocks from travelers seeking food and shelter along a popular stagecoach route, Scotsman William Michie…

02/09/2023

Shenandoah National Park

Our adventure into Shenandoah National Park was way too short. Leg 28 was packed with historical sites and our visit to Washington D.C., so we worked in what we…

02/09/2023

Rapidan Camp Loop via Appalachian Trail

Pretty views peaking through the leaf-less tress at Hazeltop on the AT and off. Interesting exploring Rapidan Camp…

02/11/2023

George Washington’s Mount Vernon

The vast estate of Mount Vernon on the banks of the Potomac River is the most popular historic estate in America. Today, the home of the First President…

02/11/2023

Fort Washington

Located on a defensible bluff on the Potomac River, Fort Washington - built for fortification of the nation’s new Capitol - is not the single fortification…

02/11/2023

Fort Washington Lighthouse

Situated on the bank of the Potomac River, the Fort Washington Lighthouse - also known as Light 80 - has interesting history. What began as a simple…

02/12/2023

Luray Caverns

Located in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, Luray Caverns is one of the most popular caverns in the United States and contains ornately decorated cathedral-sized rooms…