Expanding Traditions: Sharing a Mid-Atlantic fall with my mom

After leaving Bob & Timmy's in Providence, RI we set out for the long haul to get back home to Virginia in order to pick my Mom up at Dulles airport. We should have had plenty of time, but the traffic between Connecticut and Pennsylvania (ie. nearly all of New York and New Jersey) was horrendous. We finally made it through though, and even managed a quick stop at home to quickly unpack enough stuff from the car for my Mom to squeeze in.

The next morning we arose and headed back to Pennsylvania with my Mom for the National Apple Festival in Adams County. Alison and I had been to the festival the last two years and wanted to show my Mom what the appleness was all about.

As was to be expected our day focused on food. We enjoyed Apple Cider, Apple Sausage, Apple Sauce, and Apple Jelly as well as sweet potato fries and wild Bills Soda. We did manage to take a few pictures along the way though. J

After leaving the Apple Festival we went to Gettsyburg where we made a quick trip to Little Round Top as the sun was setting so that I could share the story of what happened there on July 2, 1863. It was a memorable moment.

We were all pretty tired after having traveled so far the day before and spent the day at the Apple Festival, but we decided to persevere and tackle our favorite Corn Maze for the third year in a row. We were triumphant once again, and all three of us emerged with corn in our mouths!

On Sunday we took my Mom to our church in DC and then out to lunch at one of our favorite restaurants to enjoy some Thai food on Capitol Hill. Following a delicious meal complete with Thai ice tea we drove out to Culpeper to take advantage of the free stay at a B & B that my Mom won during the 75^th anniversary of Shenandoah National Park last year. Alison and I had already disposed of the gift certificates my Mom won (which expired in May), but all three of us were able to take advantage of the stay at the B & B.

It was totally different than the Buttonwood Inn

where we stayed in New Hampshire. This B & B, known as the Perennial Inn, was situated on the Desiderata Farm, a common destination for fox hunters and horse enthusiasts.

We took advantage of the chance to relax for the next few days and enjoy the surrounding are, though I did have to spend time writing a paper for school which was due on Wednesday. We played cards and made a particular point to take advantage of fuzzy robes and the hot tub, which we sat in under the stars for a good hour both nights we were there.

We also toured 2/3 of Shenandoah National Park and visited the Culpeper History Museum, but for that story you’ll need to consult the Next Entry!