#246: The Appalachian Trail (2nd Ed pg 756)

The Appalachian Trail is a new addition to the 1000 Places book in the 2nd Edition.  I've been on the Trail many different times in many different locations.  It's not hard to do considering it is 2,178 miles long and runs through 14 states.

So, here are a few pics from one of those times.  This was during the Fall of 2016 when I went with my family to Shenandoah National Park.

My baby Ella was just 3 years old.  We don't own a back-pack carrier, so when she pooped out on us (which was often), I would carry her on my back with my backpack on my front....

And trade off with Dave, who would throw her on his shoulders.

We even met some "through-hikers" along our way!

Appalachian hikers!

The family that hikes together.....

stays together!

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." ~Lao Tzu

Verdict:  It's been interesting reading through the 2nd Edition (which I just started doing in Feb 2019; a purposeful decision.  But for reasons I can't explain, I am now going through) I have come across entries, where I think "This made it into the revised book?" And then I come across entries like this where I think "This didn't make it into the original book?"  Of course the Appalachian Trail is a must do!  It spans the entire eastern seaboard and is breathtakingly, jaw-droppingly beautiful in so many sections, not to mention the history and notoriety it so rightly deserves.

#176: The Inn at Little Washington (pg 730, 2nd Ed pg #892)

May 13, 2016: The Inn at Little Washington

Admittedly, this has been on my bucket list for quite some time. The distance has been doable (a 2-2.5 hr drive from our house) but the price hasn't been. 

So, six months ago, I decided to start saving and make it a birthday present for this guy's 38th.

What makes this place so special?

Well, it's dishes like this (Tin of Sin)

And this

And this

And this

And this

And this. Nine courses in all, I believe. All created by the world famous Chef Patrick O'Connell.

The courtyard. We had three tables of four which were in the terrace, so we were able to look out at this view during our nearly 3 hour meal.

As, an extra special treat, we were invited back to the kitchen to meet Mr. O'Connell! He has cooked for Julia Child, the King and Queen of England, the King and Queen of Spain, the Supreme Court Justices and.... us :)

My friend Lisa was also celebrating her birthday, so the birthday boy and girl both got to meet him - very cool!

Here we are in the kitchen with Chef O'Connell.

I mean, really... how cool is that?!!

Happy 38th, Mr. Strom!

Verdict:  Was it worth it?  I have been asked that several times in the past 24 hours since we ate there.  Hmmm..... is it something you HAVE to do before you die? No. Is it worth it?  Yeah, I think so. Our bill for the 11 of us came to $2711.18. This did not include gratuity. So, assuming a 20% gratuity, our bill game to $3,253.41, nearly $300/person. Dave an I don't drink, so our bill came to $500 or $250/person. To spend $500 on one meal that does NOT include alcohol is a tough pill to swallow. At least for us. I would never spend that much on a meal.  I would (and did) spend that much money for an experience. And that is definitely what this was. I'll never rationalize coming back here and spending it again, but hey, you only live once, so may as well indulge in the Tin of Sin!

#138: The Homestead (Page 728)

July 28, 2013.

The Homestead is located in Hot Springs, VA (southwestern VA)

The Homestead is a fabulous resort consisting of ~500 rooms

The outdoor pools were impressive!  A lazy river, main pool, water slides, sand area, etc

Even a little putt-putt course!

One of the highlights of staying here is taking advantage of the "Jefferson Pools" located 5 miles down the road.  This place was originally developed as a spa resort in the mid 1750's.  There are two buildings that enclose the warm springs.  The first was built in 1761 and the other in 1836.

Thomas Jefferson came here in 1818 at the age of 75.  He suffered from rheumatism and soaked in the waters several times a day over a period of three weeks.

Cost:  $17 for one hour for the "Jefferson Soak."  To stay at the Homestead, prices vary depending on the time of year.

Verdict:  I actually thoroughly enjoyed our visit here and would love to go back with my family some day.  But not necessarily a "must do" before you die.

#137: Monticello (Page 728; Listed as The Thomas Jefferson Trail in the 2nd Ed, pg 890)

July 26, 2013

Monticello is located in Charlottesville, VA.  It is the home that Jefferson designed and lived in for most of his adult life.  

He died here on July 4, 1826 and is buried on the property

Cost:  $24 which includes a tour of the home.  Parking is free.  There are two additional tours (Gardens and Grounds and Slavery at Monticello) available for an additional charge.

Verdict:  Yes.  It would be one thing if Thomas Jefferson, one of our country's Founding Fathers simply lived here.  But the fact that he designed every aspect of this home and also was intimately involved in constructing and remodeling all of its dependencies and landscape makes it a tangible autobiography of his life.

#92: Colonial Williamsburg (Page 731, 2nd Ed pg 893)

December 10-11, 2005: Living just a few hours from Williamsburg, VA, we decided to take a weekend trip. We went at Christmastime. The downside of that was that it was cold, but the up-side of that was that it wasn't crowded and all the colonial homes were decked out for the holidays which was beautiful!
Colonial Williamsburg does a fabulous job of re-creating the period between 1750-1775 leading up to the Revolutionary War.

There are four historic dining taverns and we had a fabulous time eating at one of them. We were seated with several other people and they provided colonial table games for us to play as a group while we were waiting for our food. The servers were dressed in period-appropriate attire and it was a lot of fun!

Verdict: YES. Williamsburg is interesting and fun and has been meticulously restored, so you really get a sense of the time period. It's very family-oriented, but to really get something out of it and to be patient enough to really listen to what guides and such are telling you, I would recommend being at least 10-12 years old.