Culpeper, VA

Place Visited: Culpeper, Virginia, USA
Date: August 2016

The first two spreads I refer to as Pinterest Pages, since they're just so pretty and artistic: first the Culpeper postcards, then all the maps. It's kind of how I want all my spreads to turn out, but as we have seen, that does not happen very often.  One of the highlights of my visit was Raven's Nest Coffee House, which employs some of the friendliest people I've ever met.

Stratford, VA

Place Visited: Stratford Hall, Stratford, Virginia, USA
Date: February 2017

It's interesting how much of Stratford Hall's publicity focuses on Robert E. Lee, since he only lived there until he was about three years old.  More interesting (to me) are the Lee brothers who signed the Declaration of Independence.  And, of course, it's always worthwhile to see houses from that era, to see how people lived before indoor plumbing and Emancipation.  I could have done without the bratty kid on my tour, who was so annoying even the tour guide stopped letting him ask questions, but otherwise it was nice.

Confession: I included the "Relevance" picture because it made me laugh.  It just sounds so desperate.

Colonial Beach, VA

Place Visited: Colonial Beach, Virginia, USA
Date: February 2017

I asked Siri where George Washington was born.  She replied, "George Washington was born at George Washington Birthplace National Monument."  And I thought, well, that's quite the lucky name.

The last time I tried to visit, the colonial farm portion was closed, so it was nice to see the main section of the monument this time around.  Honestly, it was somewhat underwhelming.  The house on the site was based off nothing in particular (certainly not anything to do with Washington's family); the foundation of the actual house was found years later, about a hundred feet away.  Still, it's a very lovely location and I had fun drawing the house George Washington never slept in.

Quicksburg and New Market, VA

Place Visited: Quicksburg and New Market, Virginia, USA
Date: October 2016

Shenandoah Caverns was a delightful surprise.  The caverns themselves weren't that amazing (geologically they're not too different from Luray or Crystal Grottos), but the rest of the place was just the kind of tourist trap I adore.  The main building includes Main Street of Yesteryear, a selection of shop windows decorated with animatronic scenes that are supposed to be charming but are mostly the nightmarish variety of uncanny.  Which I love.

Then I went down to American Celebration on Parade, a collection of parade floats created by the owners of the caverns.  Turns out they've made floats for every Presidential inauguration since Truman, plus countless others.  These things are massive and so detailed.  I spent quite a lot of time here.

Afterward I decided to grab a bite to eat at Southern Kitchen, where I enjoyed Lloyd's famous fried chicken.  All in all, a very nice day.

Orrtanna, PA

Place Visited: Orrtanna, Pennsylvania, USA
Date: January 2017

I discovered Mister Ed's via Roadside America and since it isn't too terribly far from home, one day I decided to just go.  It was fairly entertaining, though the rain and fog made the outside exhibits unintentionally creepy.

Alexandria, VA

Place Visited: Mount Vernon, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
Date Visited: September 2016

I wasn't going to post another Mount Vernon spread, but this time around I did something a little different: I took a Potomac River ferry and attended the Colonial Market & Fair.  Both were lovely, though the weather was terribly hot.