PIECES OF PARADISE

Hey Blog World!  I'm still here!  In Richmond, Virginia to be exact.  We are really having a great time but I got a little breather today when The Husband decided to venture out alone and give me some space as well, so I thought I'd pop in.

The picture above is one I snapped when we were resting at the first inn after our flight from Chicago to D.C.  I could not believe it only took an hour and 20 minutes.  And I slept the first hour!  And yes, I have to admit (sheepishly), I over~packed.  And I learned a lesson:  Never take advice from your 23 year old daughter.  "Don't worry, Mom, just smile and act really friendly and they'll let you go a few pounds over."  So at the airport when the Sky Cap said I was four pounds over the weight limit, I stood around with a goofy smile on my face until he said, "Hon, are you going to start emptying that bag or do you want to pay the $75.00?"  I snapped to attention and started cramming anything I could grab (all that careful ironing and folding...sniff) into my carry on bag.  At times like these The Husband acts like he doesn't know me.  He truly goes into "Stranger Mode"  I had all these people staring as I held up the line.  And then what do you think I pulled out of my bag?  A FLY FISHING CASE COMPLETE WITH A FEW RODS AND GADGETS!!  I actually couldn't get my breath for a second.  When did he slip this into my suitcase?  The only reason he was saved from my wrath is because we had entered the secure check~in area and they frown on public displays of insanity.

The outside of our D.C. inn doesn't really reflect the decor inside as you can see from the first picture.  Purple walls, a zebra striped sofa...it was definitely interesting.  At the end of a hallway on the third floor there was a naked female mannequin reclining in an old claw footed tub.  Different?  The inn was located almost right on the campus of George Washington University.  By the time we had settled  and had lunch, it was too late to go on any tours, so we just let this stop be what it was meant to be...cheaper than flying into any of the other cities on our trip.

I snapped this in front of a restaurant, I like the blue twinkle lights on the tree.  We had dinner and an early night and then we were on the road to Lexington, Virginia bright and early.

A three hour drive took five as we drove through the breathtaking Shenandoah Valley.  We stopped in several towns along the way to browse in antique stores.  Downtown Lexington is small town living at it's best.  We had a late lunch and shopped a little and then off to our inn, about 10 minutes from town down an old country road.  And this is a shot from the driveway.  

Karen was one of the nicest and most welcoming B&B owners we've ever met.  Her husband was out of town so she saw that we were comfy.  The home is done in a feminine sort of country, a little traditional as well.  Maybe someday I will do a post with pictures I took of the rooms at these places.  I've gone back and forth about how I should post about our trip...I certainly don't want to bore anyone.  So...I'm sticking to the highlights. :)

I love when an inn has a family pet.  This is Deuce.  A Burmese Mountain Dog.  And he had a lovable "Woof, woof"!  He wouldn't scare anyone!

A porch wrapped around the entire house and we spent all of our time out there.  Look at the view...

I just couldn't imagine what it would be like to wake up to this everyday.

I did wake up the next morning with The Husband shaking me,  "Quick!  Get your camera!  The sun is coming up!"  Oh, heaven!

Our first B&B breakfast of the trip, Karen made cold strawberry soup which was a first for me and something I will try to make.  And then there were waffles with fruit and whipped cream and she had done something with the bacon.  She explained that she sprinkles brown and pure sugar on the strips along with a drizzle of maple syrup and lets it sit for 20 minutes, then bakes it.  It was delicious!

We all hugged goodbye and then we were off to Charlottesville.  That's a story for another day.  We spent two days there and then on to Richmond and we are on our last day here.  We are staying at another B&B way out in the country.  This place is used for weddings quite often, at least the gardens and pavilions and arbors.  I'm heading out now with my camera.  From our room I can see an oval rose garden with a fountain in the center.  Beyond that there is what looks to be a brook with a small waterfall and swans.  Sigh!

We will be "home" in Asheville on Sunday and I will catch up! :)

XO,

Jane