A WINTER'S DRIVE IN ALLEGHANY COUNTY VA

Some weeks have passed now since the last big snow.  It was a beautiful snowfall and did not last long.  But it did last long enough for a drive around Alleghany County.





















The drive also included Lake Moomaw.













The road eventually led to Camp Appalachia.










And finally home again.

A DOLLY A DAY 3/5/16

VISITING HUMPBACK BRIDGE IN COVINGTON VA

The locals here in Covington, VA are proud to claim the only remaining humpback bridge in the United States. It was constructed in 1857.  The reason for the humped design was to increase its life expectancy and to keep the midpoint above flood waters. The bridge was built with a broad axe and assembled with hand hewed locust pins.  Back in the day (until 1929), you could drive across it. It was restored in 1953 and has since been the place of picnics and swimming. Many tourists stop by just to photograph the bridge. My family had our share of picnics here. I also attended some very early morning Easter Sunday services here. As a child, I was certain I was going to fall through the cracks that are formed between the wooden boards that make up the floor. "Don't look down!"  But I couldn't help it.  Today you can see the old road that crossed the bridge, the newer state highway bridge on Route 60, also known as Midland Trail, and the CSX railroad bridge.
The bridge is often photographed from these angles.









I thought it would be interesting to see the bridge from the road. The train was actually coming through when I was there.








A very relaxing place it is.

BAD KITTY SIGHTNING - NEW PLACE TO HIDE

Bad Kitty often greets me when I pull into the driveway.  On this day, Bad Kitty was nowhere in site.  Or so I thought.

Miss Dolly was not quite sure how she was going to get to Bad Kitty.

Wrights Dairy Rite - Staunton VA

The return trip from Fredericksburg was quite pleasant.  Isn't the world beautiful after the rain leaves?



And I love the part where you first see the mountains again.



Returning from Fredericksburg, we stopped at Wright's Dairy-Rite for lunch.  Have you been there?  It is an institution in Staunton, VA. They have great burgers, hot dogs, bar-b-que, fries, salads and milkshakes.  A few other things, too. 

The clock on the wall says they celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2002.  That would make it 63 years old.  Almost as old as I.  



The old jukebox is still loaded with oldies.

Don't wait for the waitress to come by for your order.  That is what the phone on the wall at each booth is for.  Don't worry...they have instructions.  You can also eat in your car in the drive-in area outside. Just like in the old days.





Dolly had been in doggy lockup where she got the a bath and nails clipped. I don't think she would consider it spa treatment but she forgot all about the unpleasant stuff when she saw me.  Somebody give that dog a bone.

A DOLLY A DAY 3/1/16

Miss Dolly was tired from a weekend with her cousins.  Last night she cuddled with her toys while resting from a day of  watching things and begging for treats.

A WEEKEND IN FREDERICKSBURG, VA

In case you don't know: Fredericksburg, VA is 49 miles south of Washington, DC and 58 miles north of Richmond, VA and is graced by the Rappahannock River. This beautiful city is steeped in colonial and Civil War history.  Its location put it halfway between the Union and Confederacy capitals during that "most recent unpleasantness".  George Washington would have slept there, of course, but he really did!  because his mother, Mary, lived there. Other residents included Civil War Generals and future president James Monroe. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom in Fredericksburg, something of which he was most proud.

Fredericksburg is a beautiful city full of lots to explore.  I traveled there on a cold and rainy Friday night in January so that I could get a fresh start for exploring on Saturday.  I had worked all day and was tired from the 3 hour drive.  I was hungry and needed a relaxing place to sit. The Tavern, a local favorite, was very close to the hotel and was perfect for what I needed.  I can usually tell you what I had to eat, but have now forgotten.  I can tell you it was quite good.  The service was great and our server had some great life stories, which I coaxed out of her.  I had planned to go back the next afternoon to interview her more, but I did not make it back in time.

Looking out of the hotel window Saturday morning assured me it was going to be a dreary day, but I did not mind.  You simply adjust.

How much can you learn in a day in Fredericksburg, VA?  A lot. I always take a trolley car tour when I first arrive for a great overview.  After purchasing a ticket,  a stroll through the streets of the historic district, which contains more than 350 buildings built in the 18th and 19th centuries, and staying in the downtown area was a perfect way to start the day.  Even the rain could not dull my enthusiasm as I passed by so many store fronts of interest.  Reminds me of Old Town Alexandria.

The 75 minute Trolley tour did not disappoint.  Really, a perfect way to get a feel of the city...especially in the rain.

Afterward, I toured Mary Washington House.  Very interesting.

How long can you pose in George Washington's bedroom at his mother's house before you are chastised.  Not very long!

Tavern talk at the Rising Sun Tavern.

The building was constructed by George Washington's brother, Charles, around 1760 and became a tavern in 1792. This is a fun tour.  I learned so much!  Did you know back in the day if you stayed at a tavern you could expect to sleep alongside 4 strangers?  If your husband wanted to sleep with you, he would pay for 5 people. Bath water was typically changed after the 3rd or 4th bather; children always bathed last. Thus, "don't throw the baby out with the water".  If you wanted to chew tobacco, there would be a log of tobacco that would be passed around. You would be told "don't bite off more than you can chew". 

At the end of a fox hunt, you would be served beer while still on your horse. Only it came in one large vessell with a fish design pressed into the  bottom and two handles so that it could easily be passed from one rider to the next. Thus, the "two fisted drinker". The person to take the last drink would call out "this fish can't swim", the vessel would be filled and that person got the first drink and had to pay for the round.

I am always in search of fresh crabmeat when on the coast. We went to a restaurant that was recommended.  Several locals were at the bar , but the kitchen was closed for renovations. We were also told they do not serve crabmeat anymore. Bummer. They recommended the Happy Clam, another local favorite.   It was a bit of a walk to this hole in the wall, but worth the walk.  I had a great crab cake with baked sweet potato casserole and a nice coleslaw.  And I love the painting on the bathroom wall.

The Sunday drive back was much more pleasant. I prefer driving in the daylight and no rain.  

A stop was made at Lake Anna to enjoy the sun at a marina on Lake Anna.

A Redo? Absolutely. Fredericksburg has much to offer.  I have always wanted to go during the Christmas holidays and maybe I will do that in 2016.  Spring should also be on the list.