Saturday, May 16, 2015
Road Trip! Luray Caverns, Virginia
A geologist find, nestled in the Shenandoah Valley east of the Appalachian Mountains in Luray, Virginia. The caverns were discovered in 1878 and took years to carve out walk ways, run electricity and hang lights so that mere visitors like myself can enjoy this awesome find. You will see huge natural columns, stalactites, stalagmites, pools of water as clear as glass and as reflective as a mirror. There is a natural pipe organ that makes real music and yes, fried eggs. Words can’t describe the underground slender. I just can understand why it took me so long to visit. 
Road trip! Front Royal, Virginia
Two wonderful words… road trip! Decided to gas up the SUV, grab sister, Darlene and cousins Priscella and David and hit the road. The sun was barely up and we were headed to Front Royal, Virginia for their annual craft and wine festival. I know, driving over two hours to visit a craft and wine festival is unheard of, right. But, I’ve loved Front Royal ever since the first time I visited this small Virginia town. I just wish I’d spend more time here. Each year I promise myself to come and spend a weekend, but before I know it another year has passed. There’s small town charm mixed with great hospitality. You can’t ask for more. Mix in a glass or two or three of really great wine and its wine o’clock! I think I can honestly say, I love the country side as much as I love the city as much as I love the beach. There is nothing better than people watching while strolling along a wonderful side walk filled with people with the same desire to have a great time. The laughter, the conversations and the smells of great food are plentiful. I purchased a wine glass so I could taste the many wines of Virginia. There were several wineries present that I had not had the pleasure of meeting before. And yes, there were some great wines there; however, I found and fell in love with a wonderful winery. Most know wine is mainly paired with food… white wines with fish and chicken, red with pork and beef. Blah. Blah. Blah. Well, what would you say if I told you Notaviva Vineyards doesn’t do that. Their wines are paired with music. Jazz and classical and… wait for it… Gypsy! What a find. Gitano! If you can grab a bottle do it. I grabbed three. 
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington D.C. April 2015
White or pink? Which color do you prefer? 
Having not seen them in their brilliance in over five years, I was overly excited to be returning to Washington D. C. for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. As soon as I stepped off the train at Union Station, I remembered, this never gets old. No matter how many times I visit our nation’s capital I can always come back again and again and again. I love riding the train and one day I’m heading west with a sleep car. But until then its east coast trekking. The weather was great, tipping the temperature in the low eighties and the people were plentiful. One of the most sought after festivals in Washington D. C. is the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. 
People from all around the world merge onto D. C. to get a glimpse of these beautiful flowers, that where a gift from Japan. Being the smart person that I am (LOL), I also got us tickets to the annual parade. This was a first for me. Don’t you just love parades. I don’t care the occasion, I’ve loved them since I was a child. We were also very lucky also because I was able to purchase tickets to sit in the bleachers along the parade route. Didn’t know our tickets was right across from the band/announcer stand. 
Because of this, every group stopped and preformed right in front of us. The tickets were purchased online and didn’t cost a lot. Another plus for such a great experience. As giddy as my inner child we quickly realized you can walk the streets of D.C., catch a cab or the metro and never see it all. Or if you are lucky enough to have enough time and energy to see it all when you return you will want to see it again. After all, what’s visiting D.C. without visiting a few monuments,
Madame Tussaud’s and the International Spy Museum. 
I visited the Spy Museum a few years ago, however, ran out of time on the visit and was unable to complete the entire museum. Having my sister and twelve year old grand nephew along only made the trip more special. I love it when out you are involved in learning something new, something different. Naz spent the remainder of the day pointing out secret drop sites and potential spies. He may have been right on more than one occasion. And finally, my sister was able to take a picture with her doppelganger. 
We spent the night at the Holiday Inn, Central. It was very nice, friendly and cost conscious. And to top it off, you can’t beat being greeted by Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson when I entered the hotel lobby.
I thought I told him to wait for me in the room. I’m not sure if you have a bucket list, a to-do list or no list at all. However, trust me when I say this, make sure you visit Washington D.C. during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. You won’t be sorry. 
Having not seen them in their brilliance in over five years, I was overly excited to be returning to Washington D. C. for the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. As soon as I stepped off the train at Union Station, I remembered, this never gets old. No matter how many times I visit our nation’s capital I can always come back again and again and again. I love riding the train and one day I’m heading west with a sleep car. But until then its east coast trekking. The weather was great, tipping the temperature in the low eighties and the people were plentiful. One of the most sought after festivals in Washington D. C. is the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. 
People from all around the world merge onto D. C. to get a glimpse of these beautiful flowers, that where a gift from Japan. Being the smart person that I am (LOL), I also got us tickets to the annual parade. This was a first for me. Don’t you just love parades. I don’t care the occasion, I’ve loved them since I was a child. We were also very lucky also because I was able to purchase tickets to sit in the bleachers along the parade route. Didn’t know our tickets was right across from the band/announcer stand. 
Because of this, every group stopped and preformed right in front of us. The tickets were purchased online and didn’t cost a lot. Another plus for such a great experience. As giddy as my inner child we quickly realized you can walk the streets of D.C., catch a cab or the metro and never see it all. Or if you are lucky enough to have enough time and energy to see it all when you return you will want to see it again. After all, what’s visiting D.C. without visiting a few monuments,
Madame Tussaud’s and the International Spy Museum. 
I visited the Spy Museum a few years ago, however, ran out of time on the visit and was unable to complete the entire museum. Having my sister and twelve year old grand nephew along only made the trip more special. I love it when out you are involved in learning something new, something different. Naz spent the remainder of the day pointing out secret drop sites and potential spies. He may have been right on more than one occasion. And finally, my sister was able to take a picture with her doppelganger. 
We spent the night at the Holiday Inn, Central. It was very nice, friendly and cost conscious. And to top it off, you can’t beat being greeted by Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson when I entered the hotel lobby.
I thought I told him to wait for me in the room. I’m not sure if you have a bucket list, a to-do list or no list at all. However, trust me when I say this, make sure you visit Washington D.C. during the annual Cherry Blossom Festival. You won’t be sorry. 
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