Mountains In The Distance

November 23-25, 2019

Wilderness Presidential Resort, Spotsylvania, Virginia

Day 162-164

Today we are going north west to Spotsylvania, an area rich in Civil War history. The route is all interstate today because this area is too congested.

We stop over in historic Williamsburg (Colonial Williamsburg) which was a HUGE disappointment. After taking a lovely wide road for a few miles into the "town", we are greeted by a huge Visitor’s Center. I was excited until I learned that you must pay to get in, and it’s all a reenactment. You can by a pass for a day, for several days, for shows, etc. Big business. You can’t drive your car in and it’s far to walk, but they have a bus… that you have to pay for, of course. The only plus was that they let me bring Sparky on the bus. I couldn’t walk the town anyway, and I don’t need to buy anything, so the bus ride was perfect. The bus ride takes you thru the authentic looking town, then thru downtown Williamsburg where there is commercial shopping, a farmer’s market and William & Mary College. I couldn’t wait to leave.

Back on the road, we hit construction and rain. The interstate had 2 narrow lanes with no shoulders. I white knuckled it for about 15 miles.

Our camp is about 20 minutes off the freeway, thru gentle rolling green hills. It’s huge but organized and clean. Most people have packed up for the season, but there are some full-timers. It’s cold, so the water has been shut off but at least I have electric (and water in my tank).

I unhitch and go grocery shopping. The grocery store is average, but I found a new treat I am excited about...King Arthur GF Chocolate Chip Cookie cup; just add water or milk. Not cheap, about $2.99, but pretty satisfying and it's only one portion.

Day 2 - Our field trip today is to Fredericksburg a darling historic town about 45 minutes from camp. I take mostly backroads which are gently windy, and woody. Had lunch at a cute little farm-to-table place called Dark Star. The weather was nice enough that we ate outside.

With some food in my stomach, we went to A Smith Bowman Distillery for a whiskey tasting and purchase. Then because my hip was bothering me, I did a drive by of George Washington's childhood home. I was on the hunt for some "local" artisan provisions and was recommended Messicks Farm in nearby Bealton. It was a beautiful drive, but the store was a little disappointing; my expectations were too high. Santa was here today, too bad we just missed him.

On the way back to camp, I was treated to my first view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I'm excited that we are going to be driving soon! Finally, I stop into a massive home goods store, At Home, because it looks interesting. It is. I have never seen so many pillows in one store. I don't need anything, so we just look around .