We are staying near DC in a beautiful National Park which is the closest camping to the District. Because we are seniors, camping is $8/ night, although that is with no hookups. The next closest rv park is $68/night but includes hookups. That’s a no brainier. We are a two mile drive away from the nearest Metro station and take it into the city. So easy!

The first stop was the Halocaust Museum. So sobering. The lesson? Sometimes evil cannot be contained. It must be destroyed.

Then to the National Museum of American History. Pillars from the World Trade Center:

I thought this was so amazing. This is how women used to make lace:

Museum of Natural History:

United States Botanical Garden:

National Air and Space Museum:

And just in case you were wondering how astronauts “take care of business” given the gravity issue:

Finally, one of the fun things about using public transportation is people watching. I asked this guy on the subway if I could take his picture. And, yes, that is a live snake. Now that’s quite a fashion statement!

We made a quick trip home for our youngest grandson’s first birthday. Traveling is so fun but nothing compares to family.
Weekend at Doheny after some high surf and high tide flooded the campground.

This is not your typical Doheny surf:

In typical government fashion, they built a berm after the storm was over. We tried to stand down.

So to watch the kids in the water……

And the birthday boy…..

Back to Virginia tomorrow and then on to D.C.!

For various reasons, we decided to stay in the Williamsburg area for almost a week. There is a lot to see in this area and we found an rv park that is cheap! And we wanted to be planted during the holiday weekend. It turned out to be a good decision since Tropical Storm Bonnie came through and it rained pretty hard for two days. We were so thankful for our cozy trailer and it was no big deal to lose a few days of sightseeing.

So the area is comprised of three areas: Williamsburg, historic Jamestown and historic Yorktown. Historic Jamestown and historic Yorktown are run by the National Parks. We loved them because their visitor centers are so well done and we learned a lot about the history of our country.

Jamestown:

Yorktown included an informative visitor center and beautiful self-guided car tour to historic sites:

And then Colonial Williamsburg. It was not as much to our liking. It just seemed so touristy and too contrived. And all about charging $ for everything. Maybe ok for families but not for us. But here are a few pics:

Again, the Natuonal Park sites were much more to our liking. If you go, do your research and see what best fits you.

And, finally, here is a picture of personalized pocket knives.

We have been to so many tourist sites and they all have gift shops. They sell a variety of personalized trinkets (some with hundreds of names) including mugs, key chains, Christmas ornaments, candle holders, etc. this picture is of pocket knives. Not once have I seen even one of my seven grandchilds names on these items!!! What does this say about their names? I had to get used to some of them but now I love them. But it’s a good thing. I’m sure papa would have given all the boys pocket knives!

Stayed at a beautiful state park on the Chesapeake Bay:

We did a tour of the Naval Station in Norfolk. Because of security issues, we couldn’t take pictures but I did take a picture of this tshirt in the gift shop. Love the message:

When your gps sends you to a military base, you are rejected traffic. Oops!

Climbed to the top of the oldest lighthouse in the country.

Virginia Beach:


The views from our morning hike in the state park:

Land Cruiser hit a milestone! We love this car:

The Outer Banks are beautiful!

Colorful houses:

Checking out the surf:

And then a visit to Kitty Hawk.
The first stone in the background was the spot where they took off. The stones beyond that marks how far they went on the first three flights.

Standing on the hill where they first experimented with gliders and then looking down on where they took those first flights:

And, finally a picture from the road to Virginia. Apparently you can bury your kin in the front yard. Who knew?