Virginia

This is a state that holds many memories and most are good

It is also a state where we spent time homeless and wondering what was next and even that memory isn't horrible

We had this ability back then to figure out how to survive and we did and we went on and got on and we were just fine

My first memory of Virginia is when Linda and I were traveling with our newborn daughter to Aberdeen Proving Grounds

We found Skyline Drive and it quickly became a drive we would take many times in our lives in all seasons

We have seen bear, deer, turkey and beautiful changing views all along this drive

Once with our grandchildren, we stopped on the side of the road and opened our van's door so we could see a small black bear very close

We have walked at least fifty miles of the famous Appalachian Trail and sometimes it seemed even more

We have camped with our children and grandchildren in the Shenandoah National Park and we have explored so much of it

Twice we ventured down the Dark Hollow Trail and once had to be helped out by a ranger

Still this long and very steep trail calls you to come and see and explore and yes, regret trying to do it one more time

There is a bridge at the bottom of this trail but you are not close to being half way home as the uphill part is just plain steep and narrow

You walk alongside a beautiful waterfall but when it gets dark, you cannot see your hand in front of your face

The really crazy thing is I am not so certain we would not take this trail a third time and that is just insane

Once we spent almost two weeks at Loft Mountain Campground homeless in a tent, well what a beautiful place to be homeless at

During that time we had a camper who seemed very lonely and despondent right next to us

We spoke but he was reluctant to make contact no matter how often we tried

Finally he was crying and of course we gave what we hoped would be comfort

He confided he had just found out he had AIDS and was afraid of giving it to us

Through his presence

We hugged him and he did not know what to do but it seemed to give him a great deal of pleasure that we were not afraid to touch him

Seems that even if you are homeless, you can still find a way to love someone

Williamsburg is a really fascinating and fabulous place and we took our children at least twice there

It is so very expensive now I doubt we would ever afford to return but we wandered the streets and watched the craftsmen and there is this real sense of history

We have been to a large doll show in Richmond and spend a few nights there as well

Once we sat way up high at a football game in Blacksburg, wasn’t one of our favorite memories

Virginia Tech endured a real tragedy sometime after we had left the area

We went to a great antique show near Abington once

We visited Lynchburg and Liberty University just to see it

The Blue Ridge Parkway is wonderful especially near Roanoke when the azaleas are in bloom and yes, we drove it then

We went to the Virginia Beach area to visit my sister and her husband while they were in the Navy there

A lush green rolling eastern state that is quite pretty is Virginia

We have driven 19 south from Bluefield and 50 across into Washington and stopped at many an antique store

I remember taking a small ferry near Williamsburg once and we thought it was neat,

Linda and Jamie on the Appalachian Trail near Loft Mountain

I even remember saying the rosary in our car while waiting to take this ferry

The last tent circus we were able to go to was in Wytheville and it was rumbling thunder and poured rain and we still had a great time

There is nothing like seeing a real circus in a real tent

The Mount Rogers Recreation Area is another beautiful place and all the tobacco farms are quite unique

While we would not hurry to return to Virginal, I think it is a place we do remember