We Could See Shadows Today - SUN!!!!

We had some rain during the night, but woke to sunshine!  Yes!!!  Again, we relaxed in bed reading, had a light, late breakfast, and then spent the rest of the morning cleaning out the basement of Willie.  Actually went through everything.  Really didn't have much extra "stuff", but did reorganize! 

Entrance to the Grounds!

Standing near the foundation of the original house! 
The reproduction is in the background!

After lunch, we took our 1st car ride and headed to George Washington's Birthplace, only about 7 miles from the CG.  What a beautiful place.  It is run by Forest Rangers and it is very interesting.  They have a 14 minute film the Washington Family and the land, and then a Ranger takes you on a guided tour of the house and some of the grounds.  The actual home he was born in burned and in 1937 a home was built on what they thought was the site of the original home.  It ended up being about 100 feet from the original location - oops!!  It is not intended to be an exact replica, but similiar to the homes of that class and time!  The setting is on Popes Creek which is connected to the Potomac.  The nature trail around the property was closed due to Hurricane Irene and Lee.  Many trees fell and there was major flooding. 

Back to the CG for 2 more games of shuffleboard (we split the wins) and then a wood fire to cook our dinner.  It was nice to be able to be outside so much today. 

Today Ken and I became an aunt and uncle to Bennett, a son to my sister's son, TW and his wife Arlena.  How exciting!!

Sunday and Monday Still Near Colonial Beach

We spent Sunday and Monday doing much of the same - relaxing!  (Except for 2 loads of wash that needed to be done!)  The truck drama is on hold for now, so we decided it was time to take it easy and just wait!!!  The weather was the same for both days - cloudy and very cool.  Stayed in the 50's and was damp.  So, we stayed in bed late, reading, had a late breakfast, and then took the two mile walk on the circle near the CG.  Spent time on our computers - I did some digital scrapping and some e-mails while Ken checked e-mails and made some important phone calls.  Talked to Denny at the diesel garage near home.  The truck was towed to his garage and they have found one thing that needs repaired.  Will continue to check it out. 

Monday afternoon the SUN came out for alittle, so we played some shuffleboard - I was victorious both games!  The evenings we spent in Willie watching some TV (hardly did that at all this summer) and doing more digi-scrapping.  Life is good, but alittle more sunshine would be appreciated!

A Big Driving Day!

This morning Martins and us ate breakfast in our own rigs, for we are heading back home.  We will be spending another week at this CG, but will ride home with Martins so we can get our car to have at the CG since our truck is in the garage in PA.   The 4 of us left the CG at 10:30 and made only 1 stop.  We did have to detour to the west of Route 83 in PA due to a major accident that had all the lanes closed around Hunt Valley.  We only got to our house in Akron around 3:30.  We loaded up a few items and Ken and I were back on our way to Colonial Beach in our Honda Accord by 4:20.  Stopped about 1 hour to eat a salad at Panera Bread and to get a few groceries at Wal-Mart.  Back in Willie by 9:00.  We rode and drove about 400 miles today, but we are looking forward to more camping time.  Good we both feel the same way about all the driving and agreeing to turn right around and return to the CG the same day.  Fortunately we didn't encounter too much rain.

We are looking forward to some relaxing time and just enjoying camping and being in Willie!  The weather after Monday looks so nice!

Friday in the Colonial Beach Area

By 8:30 all of us, except Doloris, left for a bike ride around the area!  We wanted to see the same sights we saw on our last ride since we enjoyed it so much.  Back for breakfast and then Sam and Kathy were on their way back to PA by 11:00.  They have a wedding to attend on Saturday afternoon.  We were sad to see them leave.

 

Martins and us decided we would like to head to a beach area since today was the most sun we have seen since arriving last Sat.  I called a local winery that was located near a place called Sandy Point to ask if they had a public beach area.  Susan Albert, who works at the winery was so kind and helpful.  She said there is a small public beach area but that her sister has a home right along Sandy Beach with a private beach area, so we should just park at her house and enjoy her beach.  Wow!  Sandy doesn't even know us!  So, we drove about 45 minutes to Sandy Beach and there were 2 cars in her sister's driveway.  Called Susan back and she recommended we park at her brother's house which was 2 houses away from her sister.  Then she said we should walk down the beach to the primitive area and look for sea glass which is often found there.  Ken and I were so excited for we have always wanted to find sea glass and have never been successful.  So, as soon as we got there, we headed to the primitive beach area and began our search.  BINGO!!!!  We found about 40 beautiful pieces.  What a day!  Only bad thing was the biting flies, but when you are on a sea glass search, you can overlook the pain!!!!

Back to the CG to play some cards, have a fire for cooking chicken, then more cards.  It was a victorious night for the men.  (We have to let them win some of the time!!)

A Decision is Made!

Today, Thursday, Ken and I have reached a decision!  Denny, our PA mechanic is having his garage come to VA to pick up our truck and tow it back to PA.  The Ford Dealership did come up with some options for the repairs, but we did not feel confident that they knew what they were doing.  So, home it goes.  They will pick it up tomorrow morning and have it finished by next Thurs. or Friday.  So, we are going home with one of the couples we are camping with, getting our car, and driving back to the CG for the next week of our trip.  We have planned to spend the 2nd week in another location, but Colonial Beach will be our home for another 7 days.  Then we will drive back to PA,, get the truck, and drive it to the CG to bring "Willie" home.  It feels good just to have made a decision even though the cost does not make us a "happy camper".  Who ever said RVing is the reasonable way to travel!!

 

Before breakfast the 6 of us took a bike ride on quiet country roads near the CG.  We had wonderful views of the Potomac.  We stopped at a Private Beach, Berkaley Beach, and had the opportunity to walk on their pier.  3 beautiful swans flew in and swam up to where we were standing.  They were looking for a "treat".  Unfortunately, we did not have any food with us.  We think it was a mother and her 2 older "children".

At least it is mostly sunny today.  Hasn't been that way since we arrived.  Ken, Kathy and Sam went to tour the Stratford Hall Plantation which is only about 12 miles away.  Unfortunately, most of the grounds with the walking trails overlooking the Potomac are closed due to the heavy rains they have had in this area.  Fred and Doloris went to check out 3 nearby wineries.  I chose to stay at the CG and just relax and work on my blog.  Also got to "catch up" on some phone calls to the girls and my mother.  Sometimes downtime can just be what a girl needs!!!!!!

Everyone was back by 4:30.  Ken started a fire and we sat around drinking wine and enjoying cheese.  Had a delicious supper and then played more Cue Me.  Of course the women were victorious again.  Tonight we even made s'mores. (Our 1st time since we arrived!  What is wrong with that picture?????)

Wednesday was another fun day!

We are really enjoying the quietness of this CG and the wonderful 2 mile walk along the Potomac River. 

First thing this morning Ken called the garage mechanic and we are no closer to knowing what is wrong.  So, Ken called Denny, our mechanic in PA for some advice.  He was helpful, but really can't tell us what to do.  Our best solution maybe to have it towed back to PA to a garage and mechanic we trust!  Time will tell.  The saga will continue!!!

After a late breakfast, we drove to historic Fredericksburg to walk the downtown area and have lunch.  We did stop at a larger Ford Dealer to get more info regarding our truck repairs.  We could have it towed there, but not sure. 

Downtown Fredericksburg is such a history filled area concerning the Civil War and has some lovely homes.  We did eat at Brock's on the Tappahanock River.  Delicious food.

Mid afternoon Ken talked to the truck mechanic again with no new info.  He promised to called at 5:00 with more news, but of course, he never did.  We are starting to run out of time and options.  More talking with Denny back home.  We will make a decision tomorrow morning as to our course of action.

The evening was spent playing Bocce by Flashlight.  What a hoot!  The men won in "overtime".  Then we sat outside and played more Cue Me.  It ended in a 1 to 1 tie.

The Fun Continues in Colonial Beach VA Area!

Well, I haven't updated my blog since Monday, so obviously we are busy and having a good time.  The weather still continues to be rather overcast, but warm and very little rain.  (Mostly at night).  Today is the most sun we have had since arriving on Sat. 

After breakfast on Monday, we headed to the Westmoreland Berry Farm to see the goats go across the bridge that is above the road.  They come across when you send the corn up the rope in a cup to the goat platform.  Quite a sight!  Then we enjoyed an ice cream sundae made with a fresh peach sauce.  Delicious.

From there we headed to Ingleside Winery for more wine tasting.  Sam and I decided to decline and sat in the courtyard while the rest did their tasting.  Then we all shared a bottle of wine around a courtyard table. 

When leaving the winery, we stopped to take photos of the workers harvesting the grapes.  They gave us each a merlot grape to taste and they were surprising sweet!

Supper was made over an open fire.  Then the 6 of us played Sequence with the women being victorious!

Tuesday was a rather unsettled weather day, so we decided to stay at the CG and enjoy playing games, walking, etc.  Sinced the CG is closing for the season on Oct. 10th, it is almost empty and obviously no activities are scheduled.  The pool is closed and today they removed the basketball nets and took all the buildings, hazards, etc. off the so called miniature golf course.  It is in such a horrible state of repair and only 9 holes remain, but we insisted that we wanted to play anyway.  The people in the office thought we were crazy, but they didn't know how to stop us.  So 5 of us played the course 2X's.  It actually sits on the tennis court.  I don't know when we laughed so hard.  The "greens" were rippled and had holes and nothing appeared to be level, but it didn't stop us from having a good time and something to talk about for a long time.  Then the 6 of us tried shuffleboard.  Of course, the women won.

Late afternoon we had a major downpour, but if you are sitting outside having cheese, crackers, pretzels and wine, it just doesn't matter!!!!

That evening we played a board game called Cue Me, which was so much fun.  The women were victorious again.  The only downside of the day was no report on our truck repairs.  They only got it in the shop around 3:30 and they are still trying to "diagnosis" the problem.  It is getting abit frustrating, but we need to remember to "Celebrate Life Daily"!