Radars and Peanuts--a visit to Wakefield, VA

A while ago, we headed to southeast Virginia on a random Saturday afternoon drive. We came across the huge billboard that proclaimed that the first peanut was grown on or near this particular spot. We took four pictures of it--but they all turned out blurry. So instead, here's a picture of the peanut museum (that was closed).


Further down the road was the The Virginia Diner, a veritable institution.



Although we did not partake of an entire meal, we did stop for dessert--yummy peach cobbler with ice cream and a slice of warm gooey chocolate chess pie. Very good stop for dessert--and we watched alot of fried chicken dinners go past--and regretted having eaten a late lunch on the road.


Another point of interest in Wakefield is the NOAA Radar. We stopped in for a photo op, and to pick up some information about tornadoes, forest fires, and flooding tips.


Bonus was the NOAA bag and pencils were were able to obtain (for both ourselves--and for JoDee.)

Our visit to NOAA was cut short because of the severe weather conditions forecast for the area on that particular day. Little did we know that extremely dangerous lightening storms were in the making. During a perilous drive home, Thomas was able to make snap this picture:

Columbus...wasn't a bust! Or was it? You Decide...

Last weekend, Ruth, Thomas, and I road-tripped down to Columbus to Ohio Linuxfest.

Since Craig and Thomas spent most of Saturday going to assorted Linux related courses, and Ruth and JoDee spent the day drinking coffee and talking incessantly about everything that's happened since last Thanksgiving, I didn't spend much time doing anything.

Oh wait--I got my picture taken with the program. On the floor. Pretty nice carpeting they have in that convention center.

And I got felt-up by a giant penguin. Ruth really needs to be more careful about the kind of people she hands me off to for photo-ops. Believe me, that Tux was enjoying it just a little TOO much!


Oh yeah--here I am posing with the Pizza House box. Good food--so I'm told--since I didn't actually get to GO to dinner. But how nice they let me pose with the box. Thomas really liked the Stromboli.



So that was Columbus, in a nut---errr....Turtle-shell. And I hope to make it again next year!

Letterboxing...

So, I have my own stamp, handcarved by someone specialto represent 'little ole me' on their letterboxing excursions.

Here I am, initiating my stamp in my first find on September 1! The Hot Springs Letterbox was an easy find, but still a monumental occasion!

The Jamestown Ferry
Although there are a number of ways to cross the James River--my favorite by far is by theJamestown Ferry. It's true that Richmond is the "River City", but alas, they offer no ferry service. Only a multitude of bridges to take you from the north to the 'southside'. And everyone knows about the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel down on the coast--but NOTHING beats a ferry ride. The views, the breeze--and the not going under water in a tunnel part. Yeah, that's probably the best reason right there.

The ferry was scheduled to leave at 6pm--and we got there at 6:03 or something ridiculous--so we had to wait for the next one to come along.
Once you get on, and the boat takes off for it's 15 minute or so commute, you're free to get out and wander around. From the second story, you can stand on the balcony and watch the world go by. Here, I do my "king of the world" impression from that movie that Ruth still refuses to see. You know the one...
Once we get back on the car level, Ruth and Thomas ham it up for the camera. It was a CRAZY hot and humid day--the temps sitting right around 100. But down here, the breeze feels pretty good!

Finally, its Land-Ho! And we head back to the car to await our departure from the boat.

Sail on, fine ferry, Sail on!

Droop Mountain, WV

Yesterday, Ruth, Thomas, and I headed out on a circular tour of West Virginia. For them, the trip was to be a letterboxing frenzy--four boxes in one day. For me, it was all about the trip.

One part of the trip encompassed a visit to Droop Mountain, WV. Located along picturesque Route 219, we found some interesting items to observe there.

Located in a small, rustic cabin, the Droop Mountain museum contains relics and a brief history lesson on the battle that occurred there. And to the side, a small cemetery contains the graves of the soldiers that died there.

Memorial Day travels

Back over Memorial Day weekend, we headed out for a day trip around the Western part of the state. On the agenda--the Rockingham County welcome turkey statue, Hulls Drive-In, Wright's Dairy-Rite, and of course, whatever other unexpected fun we happened across during the course of 15 hours.

The Turkey--accomplished. This picture was snapped on Route 11, at the Rockingham County line. And believe me--you know your in poultry country by the smell.
Hulls Drive-In--accomplished. We caught a double-feature of Blades of Glory and Meet the Robinsons. Add to the mix the picnic under the stars (turkey sandwiches, chips, coke, and candy bars), and of course--GREEN SNO CONES!!! :) What's more fun than sitting on a blanket on a beautiful clear night, watching a movie on a giant screen? Nothing--that's what.

Wright's Dairy-Rite--postponed due to classic car gathering and lack of parking in order for us to partake of assorted fried goodness.

Goshen Pass--on the round-about trip, we made a quick stop here to take in the scenic vista.

Can you tell me how to get..How to get to Sesame Street?


Apparently, it's easy--just follow the signs to your local PBS-Community Ideas station--in this case, WCVE Richmond.

Luckily, it's really close to where I live--so it was easy enough to find. The other day, with little else to do on a hot and steamy Richmond afternoon--we found it.

Don't tell anyone--but we kind of trespassed to get these pictures. And Ruth has been driving me batty for the past week singing, "Can you tell me how to get...how to get to Sesame Street? How to get to Sesame Street? How to get to Sesame Street!".

Unfortunately, she doesn't know any other lines to the song.