Wednesday May 15th

Today was a designated shopping day! We left the hotel and headed for L.L. Bean in the northern suburbs of Pittsburgh. Took about two hours and the traffic was light. The mall was pretty big, but we found the store we wanted, and spent more than an hour looking and trying on. Of course we found lots that we liked, but not a lot on sale. Credit card was hot by the time we'd finished. We grabbed a coffee for the road and headed off again. Thought we'd stop at Grove City (another big mall), but decided we'd spent enough for today. Checked the sat-nav and decided to push it and get home - we could be there by about 9 and sleep in our own bed tonight. We stopped at The Cracker Barrel at Erie, PA for a substantial late lunch/dinner, then filled up with cheap gas one last time. Continued with our last 4 hours driving. The border crossing only took about 5 minutes so we were happy about that. We arrived home safely before 9, after 3330 km and some more travel memories. That's it until next time, it's back to fitness class tomorrow!

Tuesday May 14th

We started the day with a 40 minute drive to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. It is now a national park, incorporating most of the village. You leave your car at the visitor centre and they bus you down the hill to the lower town. It is nice and quiet there, no traffic and not a lot of people (still early in the season). All the buildings have been turned into small museums. This is where John Brown raided the armoury in 1859 (just before the civil war started). It is also one of the stops on the Appalachian Trail (between Georgia and Maine). Harpers Ferry changed hands eight times during the civil war and quite a few battles took place here. We spent about half a day and then moved on to Antietam National Battlefield (in Maryland), where battles here made this America's bloodiest day - 23,000 dead or wounded during the civil war in 1862. There was a movie at the visitor centre, explaining the events, and lots of monuments in memory of the various regiments whose soldiers fell here. We set off again and stopped for the night at Bedford, Pennsylvania.

Monday May 13th

We left Jon's this morning and headed north, which means we are starting our way back. We headed for Mabry Mill, just off the blue ridge parkway (Meadows of Dan). The road was windy, and up and down, and took longer than we expected. It was a picturesque stop with a walk around an old mill consisting of a water wheel, grist mill, saw mill and a grain mill. We couldn't resist the freshly baked cinnamon buns and coffee in the restaurant. We then decided we had better get on the interstate and move a bit faster.  We were going to do part of the drive on the Shenandoan parkway but the weather didn't cooperate, the skies changed from blue and sunny to overcast and grey, we decided the photos wouldn't look that good so we continued on the interstate instead. We got to Winchester, VA about 5:30 and decided to stop for the night. It is still early in the season so we found a motel with no trouble, it had a chinese restaurant next door so dinner was easy.

Sunday May 12th

We've just got back from a day out to Chimney Rock in the North Carolina mountains. A walk up 491 steps will get you nearly to the top. Jon and Michelle were feeling energetic so off they went. Ian felt sorry for me (and my knee) and decided we should go up in the elevator! Nice views from the top (about 2280 ft), but a bit breezy. Went for a walk around the village at the bottom but couldn't find anywhere to get a beer! Drove on a bit and found a nice place that not only served beer, but had outside tables overlooking Lake Lure so we sat there for a while.

We are off out for dinner tonight, to Jim 'n' Nicks Bar-b-cue, Jon and Josh both recommend it so we will give it a try.

Saturday May 11th

After a leisurely breakfast, had a look at Jon's place in daylight. He is in a nice quiet spot with lovely tall trees just behind his house. We set off and visited a nice farmers market in Charlotte, lots of nice produce and plants for sale - great prices but we can't bring any plants back, they would never survive the Canadian winter. Then we went for a walk around Charlotte, and dropped into a pub for some lunch. Next up was a trip to Frugal MacDougalls for some cheap beer for this evening (a few of Ian's

Old colleagues from Siemens are dropping by). It was like warehouse shopping and way cheaper than Elora! Forgot my camera so no pictures today.

Friday May 10th

Set off early (8) from Richmond, VA this morning as we had a five hour drive to my brother Jon's in Lake Wylie, South Carolina, and we wanted to make a couple of stops on the way.

First stop was just south of Petersburg, a living history museum focusing more on the lives of the soldiers and civilians during the war. We rushed around it and left about lunchtime. We pressed on and made another stop at Greensboro, North Carolina to visit the Civil Rights Museum. This was a fascinating place, and we both learned a lot. Living in the UK and Canada and being young and white during the 60's had certainly sheltered us from the problems in the US during these struggles for equal rights for everyone. It was an eye opener and the young guide we had through the museum was very open and encouraged discussion. We left feeling glad that times have changed, and more change was still needed.

We continued driving for another couple of hours until we reached Jon's, thank goodness for GPS as it was dark by the time we got to his place and it was difficult to see. Stayed up late having a few beers and chatting.

Thursday May 9th

We've had a busy day today, it was nice and sunny all day so we made the most of it. First stop was a visit to the Federal Reserve, then on to Historic Tredegar, which was an ironworks until 1957. At least half the cannons the confederates used were made here. Next we did the canal walk followed by a canal cruise. Lots of old tobacco warehouses in this area, now turned into offices and condos. Blue herons, egrets, turtles, all along the waters edge.

Wednesday May 8th

First of our two full days in Richmond. Walked around the Capitol Square this morning, it is pretty with lots of grassy areas, benches and mature trees. Took a one hour tour around The Capitol building, with a really interesting guide. Next we managed to get a tour around the Governors Residence. Then a bit of a walk around and a visit to The White House of the Confederacy, where the only president of the confederacy, Jefferson Davis lived (for a short while), then we did the Confederacy museum.

Tuesday May 7th

We had to use the umbrellas this morning when we went for breakfast! Left Fredericksburg and headed to Virginia Neck to George Washingtons birthplace. It is a simple home that was rebuilt next to the spot of the original (the first one was destroyed by fire), on a plantation with crops such as tobacco and corn, livestock, and commodity trading with the Ships that came from England. It was a bit rainy but not enough to stop us wandering around the place. We then headed off to Richmond, for 3 nights. Stopped for a visit to the chimbarro field hospital location during the civil war, before chicking into the hotel. Staying in a 'suites' hotel with loads of room, almost like an apartment, right next to the State Capitol building. Found a pub with 200 types of beer, Ian was spoilt for choice!
We can't help but notice the trees and flowers in Virginia, everything is further along than ours, very colourful. The azaleas are in abundance and really beautiful. Their winter is over by March, they have already had some 80 degree weather - but not while we are here!

Monday May 6th

Had a lazy start this morning - same hotel for 2 nights, so no packing to do. It is overcast and cooler this morning, won't need the sunblock!
We are in Fredericksburg, where 4 major civil war battles were fought. 100,000 men lost their lives here, in fact one of the battles killed a man every second for five hours! This city was the hardest hit of them all, mainly because it was between Washington and Richmond (the two capitals) and was a centre for trade, railroad and shipping. Went to a couple of the sites and visitor centres were there were movies and lots of exhibits. Also went to Chatham Manor which started off as a lovely home and working farm (with 100 slaves), then during the war was a troop hospital, after the war it was refurbished into a home again, and finally was donated to the national park service.

Sunday May 5th

Enjoyed our first day sightseeing. Visited Manassas National Battlefield Park, watched a film explaining the two main battles that happened here, did a few walking trails. The land was farmland and woods during the civil war and is now owned by the national park service. We then continued on to Fredericksburg, stopping at the national museum of the marine corp along the way (a large place at Quantico, all free, and very rah rah USA!). It is amazing how many conflicts the US has actually been in around the world. After all that walking, had a rest before going out for dinner. Found a nice Indian place and had a great meal.

Arrived in Manassus

Set off nice and early this morning (7:00), only took 5 mins. to cross the border . . sweet! It has been sunshine all the way, we arrived in Manassas, Virginia for our first night at 6. Eleven hours, including a couple of short stops, can't complain. We both had numb bums, but that was't a surprise! Been out for pizza and liquid refreshment so we are all ready to begin sightseeing in the morning.

Off on a road trip to Virginia

Well we are off to Virginia in the morning. Finally have everything organized (I hope) and am enjoying a beer before dinner!

Alarm will be set for an early start.