Washington D.C. - Day 1

Location: Greenbelt National Park, Maryland

By the time we picked out our campsite (very cool to camp at a National Campground 12 miles from The Capitol) and hopped on the Metro we arrived at The Mall at about 3ish. The weather was threatening, but we managed to walk to a lot of the Monuments and the White House.

We walked for miles and miles and didn't get back to the campsite until close to midnight!

Love this picture, taken at about 8 pm

 

 

We were hoping to get a White House Tour, even wrote to our Senator. Unfortunately, we didn't make the cut.

 

 

 

When it started to drizzle we thought it a good time to head into the American History Museum. We hit every floor and every exhibit! Some of my favorite things...Julia Child's kitchen.

 

 

We both loved the "America on the Move" Exhibit. So fun to see the trains, buses and old cars. Got a kick out of this exhibit showing the first cross America auto-trip, before there were roads! Loved the dog in goggles, and felt for the guys having to get their car out of a lot of sticky situations.

Yes, there were Dorothy's ruby slippers, Mohammed Ali's Gloves, James Brown's clothes, but my favorite thing was the electric marshmallow roaster! Seriously?! Half the fun is flaming it over the fire!

 

 

 

Hometown pride. Nevada City represented with the Pelton Wheel!

 

 

We spent hours and hours in the museum. By the time we left it was still raining outside.

 

 

So we did what any respectacle tourist would do...popped into a bar for a draft beer and Manhattan.

 

 

 

 

After some pub food and libation, the weather had cleared up and we had the most glorious summer evening strolling from one end of the Mall to the other taking in all the Monuments. What a magical summer evening.

 

 

 

If the monument falls over, blame Ned.

 

 

 

 

 

We owned Washington D.C. today! I think we walked 10 miles. Back at it again tomorrow (I mean today)!

 

 

 

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Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater

Location: Ohiopyle State Park, PA

We took some pretty obscure back roads out of Western Virginia, (thank you Mr. Driver for never questioning the navigator, but just going full steam ahead). Our destination was for Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater. It did not disappoint!

 

 

We opted for the house tour and spent a good couple of hours in the house and around the grounds. This picture is taken from the opposite view of the above picture, heading into the house.

Notice how the steps head directly into the spring water, a place for the family to take a dip.

 

We weren't allowed to take any pictures from inside the house, but I got some cool angles from the outside. This is from the front hallway terrace leading into the water. Pretty awesome.

This home was built for the Kaufman family of Pittsburgh. (They owned Kaufman Dept. stores). Frank Lloyd Wright built the home for $150,000 in 1937. The average Pittsburgh home at the time Ccost $5,500. It was used by the family until 1963 and then entrusted to the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.

 

Standing on the main terrace looking in.

 

 

 

 

Looking down from the upper terrace.

My favorite features of the home were the fireplaces. They were open and just curved into the room. Such detail in this house: the doors and doorframes are all beveled so that no light comes in when the door is closed.

 

 

It was sunny when we arrived, but a huge thunderstorm opened up on us as we were walking the grounds. Fortunately, we made it to the Visitor's Center, Museum and Art Gallery before getting drenched. The Visitor's Center was gorgeous and such a beautiful place to wait out the storm. The center is open air, with covered walkways to the various galleries.

 

An inside shot of the Visitor's Center...Ned chilling out.

Ned photographing the photographer...haha. Good one Ned!

 

 

 

 

This place just exudes calm, peace and serenity. Such a romantic place to spend some time with my honey walking the grounds and enjoying the space.

 

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The Greenbrier Trail - West Virginia

Location: Watoga State Park, West Virginia

We continued our eastern odyssey across West Virginia, sticking to the back roads. In case you're wondering, this road is typical of how we roll. While I'd call it a one lane road, West Virginia refers to as the James River and Kanawha Turnpike. "Turnpike or no turnpike" it sure is gorgeous country.

 

We eventually came to the town of Hillsboro, also known as the birthplace of Pearl S. Buck. Here's the place she was born.

One of the things we delight in, is pulling into towns and seeing signs like "Hometown of Miss America", "Childhood home of Booker T. Washington" or "Marshall University" with big signs stating "We Are Marshall". Just love everyone's hometown pride.

 

 

Planning this trip, at the top of my list, was biking the Greenbriar Rail Trail. It runs 78 miles along the Greenbrier River. I even wrote to the State of West Virginia asking them to send me literature on it. (I know, old school). I've had so much fun all winter pouring over the brochures and dreaming about this trail.

First in order was setting up camp. We're camped at Watogo State Park, right ON the river.

 

I couldn't wait for us to jump on our bike and head out. We rode for about 20 miles. The best thing about this trail is that it is almost all under tree cover. The day was hot and humid, but the trail next to the river and under the trees was cool and much appreciated.

I'd love to bike the whole trail someday. There's even bike campsites along the way set up for the bikers. We were so lucky and had the trail all to ourselves!

 

 

 

Loved riding over the old train trestles too!

 

 

 

 

 

The Greenbriar River transitions from wide flat spots to small Rapids. We saw kayakers and people floating on tubes. It really felt like the epitome of summer.

 

It was great to stretch our legs and go for a long bike ride, but it also felt great to just relax around the campsite. While Ned went for a swim, I made sure the hammock was working.

 

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West Virginia...Mountain Mama, Take Me Home

Location: Babcock State Park

I tried, really tried to embrace the city today. Didn't happen. We were all set to spend the day playing tourist in Huntington or Charleston, WV. The truth was I couldn't wait to get out of there and head for the mountains. Who could pass this up?

 

We spent the morning in Ohio driving next to the Ohio River going through towns that have seen hard times, like Portsmouth. (I mean really hard times!). When we crossed over into West Virginia, I wasn't sure what to expect. Initially we thought about poking around Huntington, but nothing really caught our eye. Next up was Charleston. It has a nice Capitol building and surrounding grounds, a couple of quaint streets, but mostly it seemed like abandoned industrial.

We did find an old building that has been transformed into a farmer's market, with wine, cheese, chocolate, produce, and flowers. We had fun poking around in it (mainly cuz it was air conditioned), thought about having lunch there, but then decided on sandwiches sitting inside Winnie - next to a homeless shelter. Actually, we were going to go for a bike ride around the city, but then decided that it wasn't our vibe, so we decided to push on to the hills of West Virginia.

We're driving The Midland Trail, Highway 60 across West Virginia. It takes you along the Kanawha River, through coal towns next to railroad tracks. Really interesting to see the same set up in most towns. The railroad is next to the river, and then the town and houses are built up the hill. Here's the town of Gauley Falls. Beautiful cascade of falls!

 

 

Little General Store at Chimney Corner on the hairpin turn!

 

Loved the drive thru the mountains and really enjoying Babcock State Park. We spent the afternoon walking around the grounds, seeing the Grist Mill (that still makes cornmeal), the falls and the blooming rhododendrons. So peaceful and beautiful.

 

 

Love this little pathway thru the hardwood forest.

 

 

It took us to some old log cabins and a swinging bridge over the river.

 

 

We were going to go swimming in the mountain lake, but apparently it is spring fed and is a cool 55 degrees. Ha, not me.

 

This was more my speed.

(Lisa, take note. This is what a hammock looks like when it is hung up correctly. I still crack up thinking about that time we hung up the hammock only to have our butts hit the ground! I think there was wine involved.)

 

Ned, the master chef grilling up some burgers. Mountain Mama West Virginia suits me just fine.

 

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Heading into Appalachia

Location: Shawnee State Park

We left early this morning and took several back roads up and down mountains thru the northern part of Kentucky. Our mid-morning destination was Old Washington, Kentucky near the Ohio River. This town was established in 1789 and was first discovered by Daniel Boone and some other frontiersmen. This town really was the new frontier.

This was also the place of the first postal station in Kentucky and was the distributing point for the Northwest Territories of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin & Minnesota.

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a picture of the first building in the town. It was built with the boards from the flat boat that brought a settler, his wife and 13 kids down the Ohio River. All I kept thinking was...yikes living in that with 13 kids!

 

Close to Old Washington and on the banks of the Ohio River is Maysville. This quaint little town has quite the history. I was most interested in visiting the Underground Railroad Museum. Apparently', being on the border of Ohio, it played a huge role in the Underground Railroad. Unfortunately, it was closed due to Memorial Weekend. So instead, we hopped on our bikes and decided to explore the town. There are really cool murals painted on all the flood walls. Where's Ned? I think I lost him...

Apparently Harriet Beecher Stowe watched a slave auction in this town. The scene of the actual auction she used in her book "Uncle Tom's Cabin.". The town was also known for some famous spies in May 4 to Dec 9, 1792. They were protecting early settlements. Hard to imagine these scenes when you look at this town now with tree lined streets, cobblestones and quaint gas lights.

 

On a cheerier note, this is also the hometown of Rosemary Clooney! She was born here, performed here and had her first major movie premier here in 1951, at the Russell Theatre no less.

Miss America was also from this town, circa 2000ish. (Not sure of the exact year).

 

We had a great time riding our bikes along the banks of the Ohio River. We're still on the Kentucky Side, looking across to Ohio.

 

Here's some more of the many murals, this one honoring Rosemary Clooney and the Russell Theatre.

 

 

We crossed over into Ohio and began our week of exploring the Appalachia Region. Gosh, this is just beautiful country. We took a scenic drive along the Ohio River for an hour or so, before turning north into the mountains. We're camped at a beautiful pristine State Park, right next to Turkey Creek in a gorgeous hardwood forest.

 

 

After the craziness of Memorial Weekend, we're back to having the campground to ourselves and enjoying the solitude of the forest.

Looking forward to sleeping this evening with the sound of Turkey Creek gurgling in the background.

 

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Kentucky - Sunday/Funday

Location: General Butler State Park

Day 3 of hanging out at General Butler State Park. We didn't get too ambitious today. Our big claim to fame was hiking to the top of the hill. Great view!

 

 

Making the climb up the hill.

 

 

 

 

Big pay-off was the swimming pool at the lodge.

 

 

Yes, looking goofy getting in a couple of laps.

 

 

 

We went for a late afternoon bike ride. I can't believe Ned passed up the Hawaiian Shave Ice!

P.S. Ned now informs me the Hawaiian Shave Ice place was closed. Enough said.

 

The Kentucky Flyer was giving rides. We immediately thought that the Duni Boys would love riding on this...and then we saw Lucy's video of them at the Strawberry Festival driving their own jeeps! Never mind, the jeeps were much cooler.

In case you haven't figured it out, this is definitely "glamping" or as Kentucky calls it, Resort Camping. Boat rides, swimming pool, train rides, bike paths, lodge and golf course - all pretty swanky. Fun day, but to tell the truth my gypsy spirit is getting antsy. Looking forward to being on the road again tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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